Dallas Interfaith Leader Almas Muscatwalla Honored for Service

Featured Photo: Anna Muscatwalla, first-row center, poses with members of Faith Forward Dallas and the Interfaith Council, 2022. Photos for this article by Mary Ann Taylor, Andy Stoker, Kyle Ogden.

Almas Muscatwalla is stepping down from her roles as Executive Director of Faith Forward Dallas, Chair of the Dallas Interfaith Council, and member of the Board of Directors of Thanks-Giving Foundation. After deep consideration and further discussion with her husband, she feels it is time for a change. Will she stop volunteering? Absolutely not. Serving others is as much a part of Almas’ life as her heartbeat. Each of her emails concludes with this quotation from Benjamin Franklin: “The great aim and end of all learning is service to society.”

On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, members of the Dallas Interfaith Council and Faith Forward Dallas attended a reception for Almas. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Thanks-Giving Foundation, Chris Trowbridge, spoke at the event from a personal viewpoint. He expressed his admiration for Almas’ extensive guidance in his role. When she was honored as Volunteer of the Year at a National Day of Prayer luncheon, he suggested, “Almas should be named Volunteer of the Century!” The crowd erupted in spontaneous applause.

The Dallas Morning News published an article Almas wrote describing her association with Faith Forward Dallas: “As I step away, I have every confidence that the foundation, Faith Forward Dallas and the Interfaith Council will continue to reach across barriers and join the hands of the faithful across North Texas for the sake of the vulnerable, lifting us all together toward God.”

There are 26 faith traditions from all over the world involved with the Dallas Interfaith Council. Following difficult and tragic events involving hate crimes in Dallas, Almas, an Ismaili Muslim, believed that members of those faiths needed to come together as advocates rather than just educators. Some people suggested that her work toward unity was bound to fail: “When we started Faith Forward Dallas, I was cautioned that interfaith efforts never last in Dallas. There is just too much dividing us for an organization built on unity to last. As I step down from eight years as executive director of FFD, I am so glad we ignored that caution.”

Mark Romney (pictured in group picture, back row, far right), a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has worked with Almas for many years, first with the Interfaith Council and currently with Faith Forward Dallas. He and Rosie Stromberg were the co-founding vice-chairs, with Almas as chair. Speaking about his long association with her, he said, “We have great respect for Almas and are so grateful to have known her.” Almas has spoken regularly at Church conferences, he added, when the focus has been interfaith.

Almas Muscatwalla is truly a treasure to those who have known and collaborated with her. It would be her way, then, to reflect that honor to others: “My biggest treasure that I have collected over many years is the friendship and wisdom from many who will remain my mentors and guides for years to come. Inshallah! (God willing).” Almas has changed each of those friends, and all look forward to seeing what wonders she accomplishes next.

Mary Ann Taylor is communications director for the Dallas Texas Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints living in Duncanville.