Chaplain Zahir Muhammad Mannan

Zahir Muhammad Mannan is a peace activist, educator, and interfaith leader focused on fostering understanding across religious, cultural, and community lines. Drawing on a family legacy of service, Mannan continues a tradition of faith-based civic engagement. He holds a Bachelor of Science in behavioral science and psychology from the University of Connecticut and has served as an associate research scientist at Yale University School of Medicine, co-authoring papers on acute pancreatitis published in scientific periodicals. Mannan has also worked as head teacher and administrative associate at the Early Learning Program at Central Connecticut State University.

Within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, recognized as America's oldest and largest Islamic organization, Mannan serves the Connecticut Chapter's Baitul Aman House of Peace Mosque in Meriden as a member of the executive board, outreach and propagation director, and Holy Quran education and voluntary devotion director. He also acts as a statewide spokesperson, press and media coordinator, and teaches an advanced Holy Quran class for Tahir Academy, the community's school of religious education. Nationally, Mannan is a spokesman and member of the press and media team for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, as well as its regional interfaith outreach director. His previous roles include national follow-up coordinator for 1-800-WHY-ISLAM, local youth president, and publications director.

A significant chapter in Mannan's public life centers on a story of forgiveness and reconciliation that attracted international attention. After a neighbor fired shots at the Baitul Aman Mosque, Mannan, as outreach director, led the community's response by offering forgiveness. He met with the perpetrator, visited him during incarceration, and developed a friendship that became a symbol of interfaith healing. The story led to joint speaking appearances and was featured on NBC's "Today" show as part of the "True Islam" campaign against extremism. Mannan has stated, "The Quran says everybody deserves a second chance. This is a personification of the real values of Islam."

Mannan's perspectives on peace, pluralism, and Muslim-American identity have been featured in media outlets including BBC, NPR, PRI, New York Times, Christian Science Monitor, WBUR, ThinkProgress, FOX 61, NBC CT, WTNH News 8, WFSB Eyewitness News 3, and ABC. He serves as a voluntary chaplain for the Connecticut State Police and the Meriden Police Department, providing support to law enforcement officers. Mannan contributes to public discourse through op-eds for CT Mirror, addressing the shared roots of world religions and the importance of interfaith understanding. His speaking topics include culture, diversity and inclusion, faith and religion, social activism, and Middle Eastern heritage, positioning him as a resource for audiences seeking dialogue on interfaith relations and community engagement.