Janan Najeeb is a justice activist, proud Palestinian American Muslim and visionary. She is the founder of the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition, Islamic Resource Center lending library, Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance, Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival and Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine.
Serving on multiple boards, commissions and committees as a spokesperson for the Muslim community, she is the go-to resource for media, politicians, academic institutions and interfaith organizations. Her current seats include Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Historical Society, Rotary Club of Milwaukee, Marcus Performing Arts Center, the Governor's Council on Domestic Abuse, Committee for Interfaith Understanding of the Interfaith Conference, DV/SA commission for the City of Milwaukee's office of Community Wellness and Safety and Religious Leaders Chairperson for MICAH (Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope).
Executive director of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, Najeeb’s has established herself as a trusted resource on Islam, Muslim women, and Islamic issues in the Greater Milwaukee area and beyond. Her development of a speakers bureau thirty years ago, was the inception of the MMWC’s mission and vision. This tenacious, tireless outreach has established authentic relationships with many communities throughout the city and state.
Other accomplishments include several decades of co-chairing and emceeing for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, establishing the first Meditation Room for the Milwaukee Mitchell airport and being the first Muslim in Wisconsin to open the State Legislature with a prayer.
She published and co-authored countless articles and book chapters, including History of Muslim Christian Dialogue in Milwaukee (Marquette University) and Taking on Hate, Journal of Middle East Women’s Studies with Dr. Louise Cainkar.
Najeeb was the recipient of countless awards and recognitions, including the Frank Zeidler Award for Social Justice and Activism, Wisconsin Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies’ Dick Ringler Distinguished Peace Educator award, 2022 Rotary Person of the Year award, the 2023 Lucille Berrien Humanitarian Award and the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Justice Award.
She is married to Dr. Waleed Najeeb, a well known pulmonologist and intensive care specialist serving high need areas. They have raised five children and been blessed with 4.5 (lol) grandchildren.