August 5, 2013

Nuor Shatila has spent her life dedicated to volunteering and activism. Raised in and active with the Islamic Center of Southern California community, Shatila played a major role in the center's Muslim Youth Group, serving as special projects director and vice president, consecutively.

Through her time there, she has helped many Muslim youth cultivate their Muslim identity, and it was through the Center that Shatila began her involvement with MPAC. Shatila has been able to carry out her activism through volunteering at multiple Muslim and interfaith events.

Not only has Shatila been involved with her Muslim community but also her local community. Through a volunteer group, Teens in Action, located in Burbank, Los Angeles, Shatila helped create a TV broadcasting show-educating teens about information and resources available in their community.

 Last year, Shatila realized her passion for nonprofit organizations with her work as a public relations/marketing intern for Helping Hand for Relief and Development USA.

“Through participating with these organizations, I was able to develop my American Muslim identity while also pushing for the betterment of the Muslim image portrayed in American society,” she said.

 It was her work with her community that inspired her to pursue a career in media. After finishing her first year at University of California, Riverside, Shatila declared a media and cultural studies major. Her activism continues in the UCR Muslim Student Association as she takes on the position of Social Media Coordinator for the upcoming year.

As the 2013 Summer Communications Intern, Shatila hopes her work with MPAC will help continue her path to strengthen the American Muslim voice in today's society.