Staff

Shabbir Mansuri

Founding Director

Shabbir Mansuri has maintained a lifelong interest in studying the American institutional apparatus and policymaking system that has helped position the United States as a beacon of freedom, democracy and opportunity. In 1990, after decades of private analysis, and in light of new developments in K-12 education related to history-social studies curricula, Shabbir founded the Council on Islamic Education (CIE). Through this non-advocacy vehicle, a scholar-based research institute dedicated to improving coverage of world history and world religions in the American education system, Shabbir was able to leverage his accumulated insights and knowledge and test his understanding of American institutional mechanisms for advancing the public good. The CIE experience confirms that Muslims, like other groups, have a place at the American institutional table, and that the system at large accepts contributions that strengthen America and reinforce core values. Shabbir served as the Founding Director of CIE from 1990-2006, and now serves as the CEO/Founding Director of IRCV, a successor organization that expands the work of CIE into various arenas through a broadened mission. In this capacity, Shabbir fulfills a number of key roles:

As a strategist, Shabbir demonstrates a unique capacity to evaluate multiple factors, human motivations and concerns, and available resources to understand complex scenarios and chart a path for effective engagement in which multiple parties achieve their respective goals.
As an analyst, Shabbir conducts daily research and media analysis regarding public policy, education, politics, religion, and discourses about American pluralism. Shabbir is able to see interesting patterns, strategies, and frameworks at play, leading to the exploration of unconventional yet effective avenues for engagement of various shapers of civil society and public policy.
As a liaison, Shabbir interfaces with institutional partners such as the First Amendment Center, the Asia Society, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and many other organizations. Shabbir also serves as an advisory member on various academic and public educational bodies, and represents IRCV at major national and international events and gatherings. Each experience contributes to the cumulative repository of important contacts, exchanges, and resources available to the organization.
As a trainer, Shabbir explores constitutional parameters for teaching about religion with classroom educators and policymakers, and hosts international visitors invited by the U.S. State Department for intensive training sessions that address civil society, politics, the media and education.
As a leader, Shabbir provides valuable input on projects and initiatives, and stresses the importance of establishing a sound process for maintaining high standards and productive outcomes.

Munir A. Shaikh

Executive Director

Munir Shaikh has a Master’s Degree in Islamic Studies and is currently completing his PhD. in Islamic Studies at UCLA, with a specialization in the history of medieval Islamic Spain. Since 2003, Munir has taught undergraduate courses on Middle Eastern history, Islam, and world history at several universities. Munir plays an instrumental role in articulating the organization’s non-advocacy model and ensuring the scholarly integrity of the organization’s manuscript reviews, analyses, reports and educational resources. Munir has been associated with CIE/IRCV since its founding in 1990, having previously served as the organization’s Administrator. In his capacity as Director, Munir oversees the majority of the organization’s services and activities, and fulfills a number of key roles:

As a reviewer/analyst, Munir produces academic analyses of frameworks, project proposals, manuscripts, artistic works, and other materials produced by third parties, including K-12 textbook publishers, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, media outlets, etc.
As an author and editor, Munir contributes to numerous publications, teaching units and lesson plans produced by the organization, with a meticulous eye for detail and balanced presentation.
As a trainer, Munir explores constitutional parameters for teaching about religion with classroom educators, as well as substantive content related to Muslim history, world history, and world religions.
As an administrator, Munir helps formulate organizational policies & procedures, manage office staff and logistics, and design and coordinate new initiatives and projects.