Nihad Awad is the National Executive Director and co-founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. In addition to his work with CAIR, Mr. Awad has also served as a board member for various nonprofit organizations, including as chairman of Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN). Mr. Awad has been recognized many times for his contributions to the civil rights of the American Muslim community and other causes of justice.