Muslim-American Activist Hesham Nasser Reda Dies at 47

April 5, 2000

Source: Star Tribune

On April 5, 2000, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, Minnesota reported that Hesham Nasser Reda, who headed the Muslim Public Affairs Council in Washington, D.C., died of lung cancer at the age of 47. Reda lived in Minnesota's Twin Cities for 26 years and was the founder and first president of the American Muslim Council of Minnesota, the first such chapter in the country. Matthew Ramadan, who succeeded Reda as council president in 1998 when Reda left for the Muslim Public Affairs Council in 1998, stated: "The important thing about him was that he saw Muslims in this society as being more involved in the political life of America...He worked hard to have Muslims put roots where they are, to make an impact on American society. The success we've had, the foundations were laid by him." Jay Tcath, former executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota, spoke about Reda: "Along with Matthew Ramadan, he [Reda] was one of the key contacts and best friends of the Jewish community within the Muslim community."