Who We Are
We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that helps enact legislation and policies that encourage freedom, human rights, accountability, rule of law, and secular democracy for the Syrian people. We work through direct congressional lobbying, and by empowering “citizen lobbyists” to do the same.
Every day we strive toward a free Syria that is led by democratically-elected representatives, respects the human rights of all individuals, and provides sufficient safety and stability for the return of Syrians displaced by conflict.
Our efforts are powered by donations from American citizens from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. We do not receive any support from governments or political organizations.
Are you a student or young professional interested in getting involved? Click here to learn more about our fellowship program.
Meet the Team
Ismael Basha, President
Ismael was born in Hama, Syria and studied engineering at Damascus University. He left Syria fearing persecution by Hafez al-Assad and his regime. He arrived in the United States in 1983. He promptly began building his successful manufacturing business TSS Car Wash Services. Mr. Basha serves as an active member of his community has been politically active across multiple administrations and with numerous Members of Congress in the Senate and House. He lives in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan with his wife and four children.
Muna Jondy, Policy Chair
Muna is an immigration lawyer and an active community leader in Flint, Michigan. She has a history of advocating for human rights at home and abroad, especially through her involvement in the ACLU. She regularly visits Washington, D.C. for national advocacy campaigns and to participate in think tank panels, for instance at the New America Foundation and Brookings Institution.
Kenan Rahmani, Senior Policy Advisor
Kenan has traveled to Syria and the surrounding region more than a dozen times since 2011 to build relationships with U.S.-supported civil society leaders. As a result, he has become an expert on the real-life impact of U.S. actions in Syria, insights about which he has shared with government officials and journalists alike. He has shared his experiences on CNN, Fox News Channel, NPR, Aljazeera, and MSNBC. When he’s not traveling, he can be found on the beaches of California.
Dana Mosa-Basha, Program Manager
Dana joins AFS after years of working under organizations centered on the assistance of newly settled Syrian refugees in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. Outside of strategizing new methods to tackle human rights issues, she loves spending time immersing herself in new music.
Thomas Georges, Communications Director
A native of Upstate New York, Thomas joined AFS as a Policy Fellow in February 2018, working to inform members of Congress and their staffers about developments in and around Syria. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Hamilton College. Outside of his work with AFS, Thomas is an outdoors enthusiast, and can be reliably found along the many trails around the DMV area.