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April 6, 2000

We note with sadness the passing of Hesham Nasser Reda, founder of the American Muslim Council of Minnesota, who has died at 47 in California. Hesham was a good friend to the editorial pages of the Star Tribune and a wonderful spokesman for the Muslim community, both in the Twin Cities and across the nation.

Hesham's passion was demystifying Islam and seeking to integrate Muslims fully into American life. He could be feisty and strong in his opinions when he believed Islam or the Muslim community had been treated unfairly. But he was unfailingly polite, kind and eager to continue dialogue. We owe Hesham, for example, powerful lessons on the difference between an extremist and a fundamentalist. Such a simple thing, it would seem, but so important to members of his community.

From Hesham, we had a standing invitation to attend services at the mosque in Fridley, an invitation some of us accepted. The warmth and humanity of those occasions was powerful and enlightening for those of limited experience with the Muslim faith.

In recent years, we had seen less of Hesham, following his 1998 move to Washington, D.C., where he headed the Muslim Public Affairs Council. But on those occasions when business brought him back from Washington, he was as friendly and warm as before he left. His final leave-taking came far too soon; he had much more good work to do. He leaves big shoes.

-From Star Tribune.

Hesham Reda brought strength and joy to our Muslim community and was a source strength for all who knew him. We pray that God, the All-Merciful, will have mercy upon him.

"To Allah we belong and to Him is our return"

Hesham was the Muslim Public Affairs Council's Washington D.C. Director. In the approximately two-year period that he served in this role (and even before, for a number of years in his home state of Minnesota), Hesham worked tirelessly and selflessly to further the cause of Islam in the United States.

In his dealings, Hesham displayed remarkable wisdom, patience, dignity, warmth, and character. In Washington, he was affectionately called "Mr. Unity" for his ability to build consensus among American Muslim and Arab organizations.

For MPAC, the end of Hesham's mentorship and strategic thinking will undoubtedly be a great loss. But, his impact upon the organization will be long-lasting. His vision of transforming MPAC into a truly national, grass-roots organization continues through the "Usra" program he initiated. In Washington, the relationships he built will continue to be cultivated. The organizational depth he brought continues through the programs he created.

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