IMAN Atlanta

Reflections on Our Journey Forward In the spirit of service, resilience, and dedication to our communities, we recognize that last week may have brought mixed emotions for many. The results may not mirror the outcome we had hoped for, yet they reinforce the importance of the work we undertake each day at IMAN Atlanta. Our journey toward unity and empowerment extends beyond any single event—it strengthens our commitment to serve, support, and uplift one another. Through our dedicated canvassing efforts and the “Vote in My Honor” campaign, we saw the strength of the community in action. We were inspired by those who participated on behalf of others, demonstrating the power of collective action. Together, we amplified voices and strengthened awareness, fostering participation where it was most needed. As our lead Community Organizer reflects, “The enthusiasm we’ve encountered in our canvassing has been incredible. Disenfranchised voters, sharing their experiences, reminded us of the resilience and hope within our community. Every rally, every door knocked has shown us the positive impact we’re making together.” This moment serves as a reminder: meaningful change requires time, courage, and persistence. As we look ahead, IMAN Atlanta remains a place of hope—a space where aspirations become action. We encourage everyone to stay engaged, inspired, and rooted in the vision that moves us forward. Our voices carry weight, our dreams have value, and our work remains ongoing. Together, we will keep moving from the world that is , toward the world that it should be. Mansoor Sabree Director IMAN Atlanta

Resilient Immigrant was honored to partner with the Mayor's Office of International & Immigrant Affairs - Welcoming Atlanta at the Greenbriar Community Resource Event. It was a powerful day of coming together, sharing essential resources, and standing in solidarity with immigrants and families in need. A heartfelt thank you to the amazing organizers, dedicated volunteers, and the wonderful individuals who put in the work n Holly Malerba, Christina Chu, Agnes Nsor, Peter Pimentel, Nicholas Mulkey, Adaobi Iheduru, Psy.D. and many more. In times like these, we’re reminded of the true value of community. Now more than ever, let’s continue to show up, lift each other up, and stay connected. Finding your network of support can be life-changing. Special shoutout to other partners at the event such as Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), Inspiritus, IMAN Atlanta, Partnership Against Domestic Violence,Center for Victims of Torture and every sponsor who helped make the event successful. Here’s to growing stronger together, one resource, one conversation, and one act of kindness at a time.

As I sit here reflecting on the weight of these elections, I can’t help but think back to my own journey—26 years spent behind bars, fighting for hope and holding onto faith. Today, I lead IMAN Atlanta’s organizing efforts and push for justice through initiatives like the No Taxation Without Representation campaign, which aims to restore voter rights for the over 20,000 Georgians who, like me once, have been robbed of their voice at the polls. Voting isn’t just a right—it’s a declaration that you matter. That your story, your struggles, and your dreams for a better future are worth being heard. When we vote, we do more than check a box. We challenge the systems that tried to silence us, we invest in the communities we love, and we honor the people who fought for our voices to be part of the narrative. I know firsthand that community safety and strength don’t come from waiting for change—they come from showing up and making that change happen. From canvassing our neighborhoods, standing together at rallies, and showing up for one another. It’s about ensuring that every person—whether a returning citizen finding their place in society, an unhoused neighbor needing support, or a single mother holding her family together—has the resources they need to thrive. So today, I’m asking you to do one simple, powerful thing: vote. Vote for those who can’t. Vote for the policies that reflect our shared hope for a future where we all belong, where we are all heard, and where we all thrive. Your vote is more than a ballot—it’s a step toward justice, dignity, and the community we envision together. Let’s do this. For ourselves, for our communities, and for those who come after us. —Kareemah Hanifa

IMAN Atlanta hosted an event at the Inspired Generosity showcase location over the weekend. The room was filled with over 100 leaders from the Atlanta community who came to experience stories of generosity. A grantee partner of the WF Fund, the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) "fosters health, wellness and healing in the inner-city by organizing for social change, cultivating the arts, and operating a holistic health center" in both Atlanta and Chicago. Their work touches thousands of people every year. We appreciate the vital work that IMAN does and were excited to have them enjoy Inspired Generosity in Atlanta. https://lnkd.in/ds-iRkA

Assalamu Alaikum, I hope this message finds you well. My name is Zubair Zafar, and I have the honor of serving as the Director of Communications here at IMAN Atlanta. Over the past two years, I've had the pleasure of connecting with you through our communications, and today, as we approach one of our most significant events of the year, I wanted to reach out to you personally. Being part of IMAN’s communications team is an immense blessing and privilege. It allows me to witness firsthand the stories and moments of impact that have stretched over 25 years—from our beginnings in Chicago to the transformative work taking place right here on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in the heart of Atlanta. I see the real, lasting, and transformative change we are making in our community: from empowering returning citizens who are seeking a second chance, to assisting new immigrants striving to find their footing in a new land; from tangible programs addressing food insecurity with food boxes, to the profound social justice and advocacy work we undertake at the city level. I am continually inspired by the amazing work our team performs day in and day out—a responsibility they carry on behalf of the greater community, living the legacy of Prophetic Service. This Sunday, we are celebrating that legacy at the Auburn Library. We will honor the work IMAN Atlanta has been doing over the past eight years and, most excitingly, officially announce our next chapter with the upcoming launch of a Free Health and Wellness Center. The event will feature inspiring stories from the Muslim American community, highlighting how spirituality fuels acts of generosity, a tour of the "Inspired Generosity" exhibit, a panel conversation and artistic performances. Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided, so you can enjoy good food while engaging in meaningful conversation. This afternoon is more than just an event; it's a celebration of you, our supporters, and an opportunity to reflect on our shared journey and the exciting future ahead. I warmly invite you to join us by RSVPing below. Your presence would mean the world to us. Thank you for being an integral part of IMAN Atlanta's mission. Your compassion and commitment inspire us every day. With heartfelt gratitude, Zubair Zafar Director of Communications IMAN Atlanta

Finding My Way Back - By Gregory Abdul Bari Hood I was born on the South Side of Chicago, the son of Guyanese immigrants. My journey has been a winding road full of ups and downs, marked by some of the toughest battles one could face. From a young age, life in the city felt like a constant struggle. Growing up, I got pulled into the streets, seeking the material things I thought would bring me value—things that seemed more important than the love and guidance my family was giving me. I was only a teenager when I first found myself caught up in gangs, believing that life was about glamour, riches, and all the physical things we didn’t have at home. This mindset eventually led me down a path that would change my life forever. I ended up being arrested and spent 10 years in prison. Even when I got out, the shadow of my past continued to follow me. After prison, I tried to rebuild. I started a trucking company and ran a cleaning service with government contracts. I traveled the world, spending time in places like Japan, Egypt, Guyana, and throughout the Caribbean. On the outside, I seemed to be moving forward, but inside, I was still fighting old habits, old thinking. I wanted Islam to revolve around my life, but I wasn’t letting my life truly revolve around Islam. Despite my efforts to change, I found myself back in trouble and ended up in prison again. The experience was a nightmare—prison had no officers, no oversight, and was controlled by gangs and cartels. I knew I had to make a change, but I was trapped in a system that offered no rehabilitation, only punishment. When I got out, I had nothing left. I lost my business, my home, and even went through a divorce. I felt completely lost, struggling to figure out how I would survive. That’s when I found IMAN Atlanta and the Green Reentry program. I applied in April 2024, right after my release, and within a week, I was accepted. IMAN Atlanta became my second chance. They didn’t just offer me a place to stay—they gave me a community that believed in me when I had trouble believing in myself. With their support, I enrolled in a training program funded by the Georgia Workforce, and in July 2024, I graduated as a certified equipment operator. Just recently, I received a job offer from HARCO Construction, where I’ll be doing exactly what I trained for—it feels like a fresh start. I’m grateful for IMAN Atlanta’s support, but more than that, I’m grateful for the opportunity to build something new. I’ve seen the worst that life has to offer, but I’ve also seen the power of a community that truly cares. IMAN Atlanta didn’t just give me a roof over my head—they helped me rediscover my purpose. My journey is far from over, and I still face challenges every day, but I’m determined to keep moving forward. To anyone reading this, I hope my story shows that no matter how far you’ve fallen, there is always a way back. And sometimes, all you need is a community willing to lift you up.

Ousmane, a humble leader among his Senegalese peers, embarked on an arduous journey, spanning continents and oceans in search of a better life. After making the trek from Senegal to Europe, across the waters to South America, and finally up through Mexico, he found himself in Atlanta. Alongside his companions, Ousmane carried not just the weight of his own hopes, but the dreams of his community back home. Here in Atlanta, he quickly showed his leadership, securing work with a security company. Despite language barriers, Ousmane’s initiative and work ethic shone through, and he helped his peers navigate a new life. As a translator for his friends who spoke only Wolof and French, he bridged the gap between their struggles and the opportunities that lay ahead. They lived in crowded spaces—130 men packed into the masjid, sharing limited resources. At one point, nine of them squeezed into a two-bedroom apartment in Campbellton. Yet through it all, Ousmane’s spirit remained unbroken. IMAN became more than just a helping hand; it became family for Ousmane, offering support deeper than blood. "They recognize them in us," he would often say, speaking of the profound connection he felt with his African American brothers here at IMAN. He experienced an embrace of kindness and solidarity that he had never known, not even in Senegal. And in return, Ousmane gave everything he could to the community that welcomed him—whether helping with IMAN’s events, lending a hand wherever it was needed, or simply standing as a beacon of resilience. At the first Green Reentry orientation in March, the Senegalese migrants were welcomed with open arms. Pictures of their group flashed across the big screen, and as they took the “One Link, One Chain” pledge in Wolof, the gravity of the moment sunk in for the entire team. What had once been a simple motto in Chicago now held international significance. It hit home: IMAN’s reach was global, its mission universal. Today, Ousmane is not just surviving; he is thriving. He sends money home to Senegal, providing for his family. But Atlanta is his new home, and IMAN is his family. As the assistant director of Green Reentry, I am proud to say that Ousmane’s story is one of many. Since its inception, IMAN's Green Reentry program has helped hundreds reenter society, providing housing, workforce development, and behavioral health support. Many of our graduates have gone on to secure stable jobs, while others have started their own businesses. This year, through the Green Entry initiative, we’ve extended these same services to Senegalese migrants like Ousmane. Thanks to YOUR support, the program continues to grow: IMAN welcomed five new Senegalese brothers in August to Village B, our latest residential complex. Ousmane’s resilience is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, and his story reflects the impact of Green Reentry in transforming lives. Warm regards, Vera Lee Robinson

A Journey from Recidivism to Redemption My name is Jerome “Ariif” Pattillo, and I am the Green ReEntry Manager here at IMAN Atlanta. Commensurate with IMAN principles, “Led by the most affected,” I lead, having served in the prison system myself. I was first incarcerated in 1970 when I was handed two life sentences. The weight of those words crushed me. After nine years behind bars, I was given a second chance. But coming back into a world that had changed so much, with no real support or resources, I struggled to find my footing. Within a few years, I was back in prison—this time for 26 long years. The prison system is always a place of despair, but in the ’80s and '90s, even more so. It offered very little in the way of meaningful rehabilitation; vocational programs and two-year degrees were sparse, leaving many to dwell in the life of a prisoner. A glimmer of hope came from a volunteer—a former inmate turned businessman—who visited the prison and spoke to the brothers inside. Seeing someone who had walked the same path, made it out successfully, and then selflessly helped those that others left behind struck a chord in me. I was going to find a way out. I threw myself into training, learned carpentry and electrical work, and I was determined that this time, things would be different. When I was finally released in 2007, I knew I didn’t want to fall back into the cycle of recidivism. But staying out required more than just a desire to change; it took access to countless resources—education, job training, mentorship, and community—all of which I had to seek out. I sought support from PIIC, I found work with the Georgia Department of Transportation, I earned a Bachelor’s degree, I even worked on getting my sentence commuted. I left no stone unturned. It has been nearly 20 years since I have stayed out of prison, but finding the resources I needed was like piecing together a puzzle—everything was scattered and hard to come by. There had to be a better way... The Inner-City Muslim Action Network. At IMAN, I discovered a wealth of resources I had to fight tooth and nail for all under one roof. IMAN’s holistic approach— vocational training to spiritual guidance, to arts and community, offered a comprehensive solution. With my work at IMAN, I visit prisons across Georgia— I still see the despair. The prison system is designed to punish, not rehabilitate. The environment is oppressive, with many prisoners on antidepressant, struggling to find hope. So many enter the system as children, and are sentenced to 30 years before they are given a second chance. Many of those are held for so long that their families die. It is almost impossible for people not to fall back into the cycle of incarceration. At IMAN, we’re changing that. We’re providing the tools, training, and support needed to truly rebuild lives, and we’re doing it in a way that’s rooted in justice, compassion, and community. Warm regards, Jerome “Ariif” Pattillo

We have a very special letter for you: My name is Arthur Majid, I serve as the Senior Housing Case Manager at IMAN Atlanta. I work directly with the Green Re-Entry program and currently oversee the Emergency Migrant Housing and Wellness program. I wanted to share with you some of the great things that your support has allowed us to do. Firstly, IMAN Atlanta has been able to collaborate with local masjids every first and third Wednesday for two months to distribute food to the migrants most in need, providing basic necessities for up to 60 people for a week. Your support fed families. But it goes much deeper than that. In anticipation of Ramadan, we welcomed three residents into our Green Re-Entry Village, IMAN's 20-bed reentry facility that has been serving Atlanta for years. We were able to offer them wrap-around services; a term used in the industry to mean customized, intensive, and individualized care plans that are delivered in a structured team-based framework. Your support ensured that 3 individuals, Mamadou, Ousmane, and Birahime (not statistics) had access to shelter, electricity, water, food, employment, community, and, most importantly, a pathway to self-sufficiency. Truthfully, I would be lying if I said the day-to-day challenges of this work aren’t draining and daunting, without an end in sight. But every so often there is a moment that reminds me why this work is so important. This Eid, one of our residents, whom YOU helped secure temporary employment, was not only better equipped to support himself but was even able to send money back to his family to purchase new Eid clothes, a moment many of us take for granted. Looking ahead, we are preparing to welcome a new cohort of Green Re-Entry residents, offering them the same training, opportunities, and support as we have done many times before. We are healing southwest Atlanta together. Warm regards, Arthur Majid

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