Our Mission
Faith & Culture Center integrates communities across divides through the development of meaningful relationships. We work to foster greater understanding, appreciation, and cooperation between communities in Middle Tennessee across lines of faith, race, culture, and ethnicity.
OUR Vision
We seek to build a Middle Tennessee community in which all people embrace humility, understanding, respect, empathy, and compassion.
Our Muslim Neighbor Initiative
Our Muslim Neighbor (OMN) programs are designed to respond directly to and counter pernicious typecasts and stereotypes of Muslims and Islam (“Islamophobia”) through an experience-oriented approach based on the power of relationship building.
OMN programs do this by:
Organizing and facilitating spaces that intentionally bring together diverse and balanced groups of Muslims and non-Muslims for relationship building, so that pernicious yet common misperceptions and preconceived notions about Muslims are dispelled.
Educating individuals and organizations in Nashville and Middle Tennessee on the diversity of Muslim communities in Nashville and the issues that affect them.
Amplifying and supporting individual Muslim voices and providing platforms for sharing their stories and experiences.
Our Impact
How effective do you feel this event is in diminishing fear and distrust towards Islam and Muslims?
Our Staff
Daoud abudiab, Acting Executive Director
Daoud Abudiab is Founder and Board President of Faith and Culture Center. Daoud lives in Middle Tennessee along with his wife and three children. Daoud Abudiab is a veteran healthcare executive with more than 25 years in physician group management. Serves on a volunteer basis and provides support for staff on programing and strategy.
Tamara Shehada - Director of Programs and Communications
Sarah lives in Nashville and has been with Faith and Culture Center for a number of years working on ASATT. Tamara is also an Alumni of our own AbdelKader Ambassador Program.
Sarah obeissy - Social Media and Communications
Sarah joined us in summer of 2022. She works on ASATT program as well as social media communications.
Robert Montgomery
Rev. Robert Montgomery is Co-Founder of FCC and a volunteer. Robert advices and provides support to staff in carrying out FCC programming.
David Osgood
David has been with FCC for a number of years and now advises on a volunteer basis on programing and community outreach.
Board of Directors
Advisory Council for the Our Muslim Neighbor Initiative
Aisha Lbhalla
Commissioner – Metro Human Relations Commission
Founder and Chair – Muslim Women’s Council
Amir Arain, M.D.
Associate Professor of Neurology – Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Berthena Nabaa-Mckinney
Nashville educator and administrator for over 18 years
Beverly Watts
Executive Director – Tennessee Human Rights Commission
Brian Fesler
Pastor – Church of Scientology of Nashville
President – Religion Communicators Council Nashville chapter
Doug Perkins
Professor of Human and Organizational Development – Peabody College, Vanderbilt University
Hedy Weinberg
Executive Director – American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee
John Kiser
Chairman – William and Mary Greve Foundation
Author – The Monks of Tibhirine: Faith, Love, and Terror in Algeria and Commander of the Faithful: The Life and Times of Emir Abd El-Kader
Melody Fowler-Green
Executive Director – Metro Human Relations Commission
Michael Whitney
Financial Advisor – Henderson Financial Group, Inc.
Board of Trustees – Congregation Micah
Robb McCluskey
Entrepreneur
Board of Trustees – The Temple: Congregation Ohabai Sholom
Leah Hashinger
Community Relations Manager – Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition