Fighting For Freedom
Fighting for Freedom
How do we honor those who came before us while building a foundation for those who come next?
In January 2026, CME-US marked Muslim American Heritage Month with Fighting for Freedom — a PBS film screening and panel discussion uncovering the forgotten history of Muslims who fought in the Civil War. Over a shared dinner, guests watched the film and joined a conversation with retired Col. Wanda Wright and Dr. John Marc Sianghio, moderated by CME-US Co-director Dr. Chad Haines, exploring how military service has long shaped — and complicated — Muslim Americans' sense of belonging.
The evening carried an unexpected intimacy when CME-US Program Coordinator Fatina Hilal shared a personal reflection connecting her own family history to the film's themes. We closed by announcing the winners of our inaugural Lenses of Belonging photo competition — passing the floor from the past to the present, from the generation that fought for belonging to the young people now picturing it.
The evening made one thing clear: honoring history and investing in youth are not two different acts. They are one.
