About Us
Our Mission
Emerald Project connects, prepares, and inspires young people to transform, as their self-actualization is the key to liberty and justice for all.
Self-actualization means moving beyond the expectations the outside world has placed on you, to discover who you truly are. It’s about recognizing your strengths and using them to help build a just and compassionate society. To achieve freedom, in every form.
Our Pillars
5 Pillars: Me, My Community, My Ability, My Responsibility, My Future
Me
Your journey begins with you. Invest the time and self-reflection required to uncover who you are. Liberate yourself from the labels, expectations, and pressures that limit you. Build your self worth and treat yourself with respect. Leverage your free will to make choices that are genuine to you.
My Ability
You are far more capable than you realize. Identify your strengths, talents, and potential. Learn how to apply your abilities to improve your performance at school, work, or passion projects. Dedicate the power of your abilities to building a life that reflects you and your values.
My Responsibility
Do what you can from where you stand. At Emerald Project, we believe that you have the power and responsibility to do good. By instilling a sense of duty to serve, we guide young people to consider the impact of their actions on others and the world, nurturing a generation that values empathy, integrity, and service.
My Community
Come as you are. At Emerald Project, we believe that in a healthy community there is room for everybody. Let’s gather in get-togethers, big or small, where we can have fun, connect, and learn from one another.
My Future
Get in the driver’s seat and explore the array of possibilities that can become your future. It’s normal to be uncertain, in fact it’s a core piece of the journey and you are not alone. Focus on maximizing what is in your control. Self reflect, take risks, take opportunities that interest you, then try again. Take the time to learn what you love and what you’re good at. Remember that when it comes to your future, nothing is off the table.
Who We Are
The Emerald Project began in Salt Lake City in February of 2017, shortly after the controversial “Muslim Ban” ignited widespread discussions about Islam and Muslims. At that time, we saw the need for a safe space where people could engage in honest conversations about Islam and the Muslim community. Three young Muslim women led a dedicated team to host our very first event: the ‘Is Islamophobia Real?’ series at Marmalade Public Library. This event marked the beginning of a movement that would spark many more important dialogues.
Over the years, the Emerald Project has grown significantly, reaching a diverse audience that includes the FBI, Salt Lake Community College, individuals from various faiths and backgrounds, and lawmakers. Our conversations have expanded beyond addressing Islamophobia, diving deeper into the complexities surrounding Islam and Muslims, while also embracing the broader nuances of culture and identity.
As we move forward, the Emerald Project is evolving. Our mission has shifted to focus on the development and empowerment of young people, particularly those in marginalized or misunderstood communities. With our renewed mission and guiding pillars, we are committed to fostering growth, offering mentorship, and creating a more inclusive, compassionate society—one shaped by the voices and actions of the next generation.
Our Vision
Emerald Project envisions a community in Salt Lake Valley that welcomes and unites Muslims by: making it easier to practice Islam, explore the Muslim identity, and only use accurate sources to learn about Islam.
Our Values
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Accuracy
At Emerald Project we respect the sacred nature of our mission. Discussing Islam requires the utmost dedication to truth and accuracy. We take our words seriously, and strive to speak on knowledge we absolutely know to be accurate. We are proud to say ‘I don’t know’ when we don’t have the right answer. This only reinforces the sacredness of Islam.
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Creativity
Emerald Project is reputable for their creative approach to combatting the misrepresentation of Islam. Through collaboration and diverse minds on our team, we value the best approach over what’s been done or what’s convenient.
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Neutral Environment
A neutral environment is critical to achieving mutual understanding. We are committed to building an environment where everyone feels comfortable to talk through their opinions and ask questions. A space where Muslims and Non-Muslims feel welcomed and heard.
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Transparency
Nothing is off the table. We are committed to exploring all topics related to Islam and Muslims. and addressing any and all challenges to the representation of Islam. We invite controversial conversations and tough questions.
Our Name
Following the birth of our mission, we needed a name that captured our cause. ‘Emerald Project’. A precious gem like our worthy cause, feminine like its 3 female co-founders, Emerald green like color of Islam.
Misrepresentation on Two Fronts
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Non-Muslim Community
Emerald Project believes the vast majority of the greater American community is misinformed or misunderstands Islam (the religion) and what Muslims (the followers of Islam) believe. We carefully design dialogues to engage with the non-Muslim community to mutually increase understanding. We partner with non-Muslims to make Salt Lake Valley a more welcoming home to Muslims.
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Muslim Community
Emerald Project believes there is a lack of separation between Islam and culture. The misinterpretation of Islam has lead to societal norms and mainstream beliefs that are inaccurate representations of religion. Cultural traditions are often passed off as Islam when in reality they are not. This has resulted in mispractice of the religion and caused many to unfortunatley leave Islam althogether.
Stories of Our Works
- Emerald Gives Back
- Talking with the FBI
- Muslim Stories
- UMFA Exhibition: Ummah
“None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself”
Having a dialogue with the FBI about Islamophobia and how our identities were misunderstood was a surreal experience. All three of the Emerald founders’ families were investigated by the FBI, post 9/11. But there we were, answering their questions. This time they wanted to know who we were, not what we were doing.
I have grown up struggling to find a momentum in living a dual cultured life. I struggle to negotiate the ethnic traditions while still upholding my American roots. That can be challenging.
As young Muslims we never had a space that reflected our identity. When Nora and I saw the exhibit upon completion we were so overwhelmed, we cried. It was the first time we saw our faith presented to the public with such respect and accuracy.
Emerald Gives Back
We are proud to call Salt Lake Valley our home, and we want to give back to the community we live in. Not only that, but because we believe it is our duty as Muslims to help our neighbors. A hadith tells us that “None of you believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” [Riyad as-Salihin 183]. As an organization, we have committed to serve at least 2 hours a month to various community partners around our area. Team members are not limited to the 2 hour requirement, and are always welcome to do more. If your organization needs a little help, we are here for you. Please contact Tala Shihab, our Community Coordinator, to gather our team to help yours.
If your organization needs volunteers, please reach out to our Community Volunteer Coordinator Tala Shihab at tala@emeraldproject.org .
Talking with the FBI
The Emerald Project in collaboration with the FBI hosted a private event to discuss Islamophobia. This event brought together law enforcement to have an in depth conversation about Muslims, Islam and the misconceptions of both in a post 9/11 America.
Muslim Stories
The Muslim Stories Instagram Series combats the misrepresentation of Islam by spotlighting the experiences of Muslims. This instagram campaign showcases the diversity within the Muslim community, both ethnic diversity and diversity of expereinces.
Follow @emeraldprojectslc for these featured stories, and look for #EmeraldStories.
If you are a Muslim interested to be featured on our page please email our Ambassador Nour Bilal who leads the Muslim Stories project at nour@emeraldproject.org.
#EmeraldStories
Daughterhood is a struggle I reconcile with on the daily. I live up to cultural expectations of an American Pakistani Muslim.
Three significant labels to my identity in which recently the practice of yoga has helped me to explore even deeper. Life is an ever changing phenomenon. Every single day we are on some kind of journey, in search for a stable center. That center resides within me and yoga has guided me to uncover a deeper truth about myself.
I have grown up struggling to find a momentum in living a dual cultured life. I struggle to negotiate the ethnic traditions while still upholding my American roots. That can be challenging.
Yoga is a moment-to-moment practice in which you literally learn to let go and delve into an opportunity of liberation.
Liberation of the mind, body, and soul. It’s a safe space for me to welcome silence and listen to the wisdom that lies within me. I feel that the teachings of Islam are often misunderstood in finding the balance between the expectation of culture and religion. I believe the focus of Islam is to simplify your life and just focus on the basics. I surrender in my journey to find balance, strength, and flexibility in every aspect of life. These also happen to be the elements that make up the faith of Islam: moderation and flexibility.
UMFA Exhibition: Ummah
The Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) and Emerald Project present a new ACME Lab exhibition, Ummah, a collaborative and community-focused installation dedicated to celebrating Utah’s Muslim community and educating the public about the Islamic way of life. Ummah, the Arabic word for community, refers to a collective of Islamic peoples transcending the boundaries of nations and can also mean a community with any common history—a title that successfully reflects the intentions of this exhibition.
The gallery is divided into five sections, arranged to deconstruct the myths around Islam, such as the role of women, address stereotypes assigned to the Muslim community—especially following the September 11 attacks—and celebrate the diversity and traditions in the various Muslim Utah communities. Through education and experience, Ummah promotes acceptance of this often-misunderstood population, both statewide and globally.
View more stories of our works
- Emerald Gives Back
- Talking with the FBI
- Muslim Stories
- UMFA Exhibition: Ummah