Isma Chaudhry

President, The Islamic Center of Long Island

Dr. Isma Chaudhry has made quite the imprint on Long Island. As the first-ever female president of the Islamic Center of Long Island in Westbury, Chaudhry is the leading voice for Long Island’s diverse Muslim-American community, which includes immigrants from various Middle Eastern countries and Africa. Born in Pakistan, Chaudhry’s grassroots efforts began when she developed a program for educators to help them better understand Islamic culture and religious practices. She took control over the ICLI’s interfaith efforts years ago, and has only bolstered the mosque’s credentials ever since. When other religious denominations express interest in having a Muslim voice on panels, it’s Chaudhry who takes on the responsibility of educating people about her religion and echoing the concerns of many other Muslims on Long Island about heightened Islamophobia in the United States. To address anti-Islam rhetoric and anti-immigrant fervor, Chaudhry has spearheaded efforts to hold public events in which various stakeholders address these concerns and offer solutions. Nowadays, Chaudhry’s mission is more important than ever.