Mukhtar Ibrahim identifies as a journalist but thinks like an entrepreneur. The founder of Sahan Journal, a nonprofit newsroom that focuses on the stories of Minnesota’s immigrants and communities of color, his decision in 2024 to step down as CEO and publisher just five years after launch surprised many in media circles—but not from the lens of a founder. Sahan was operating smoothly, which was Ibrahim’s cue to move on to the next thing.

He immediately stood up a management consulting firm called Sayid Group and spent a year as a strategic advisor to the Minneapolis-based humanitarian support organization Alight. But Ibrahim couldn’t resist the inclination to share stories. On July 4, he launched The Muslim Brief, a weekly newsletter for Muslim professionals that promises “thoughtful analysis, profiles of Muslim professionals doing remarkable work, and insights that speak to their lived experience.”

In his inaugural issue, Ibrahim wrote: “I’ve often felt that the content I consume overlooks a vital party of my identity. The nuance of our faith, the complexities of our professional lives, and the unique challenges and triumphs we experience as Muslims are too often lost in the noise.” The second issue, on July 11, profiles Mayo Clinic’s first hijab-wearing staff physician.

Over iced chai at the Zawadi Center in Bloomington, Ibrahim talked about the market he hopes to serve with his latest news product.

Were you surprised by the outpouring of interest and accolades when you announced The Muslim Brief on LinkedIn?

Ibrahim: I definitely didn’t get the same love or attention when I launched my consulting company! It tells me this is needed. It reminds me of when I launched Sahan Journal (in 2019)—that level of excitement, engagement. Something is going on here.

What inspired you?

I went to Mecca (Makkah al-Mukarramah) in Saudi Arabia—the holiest city in Islam. It was my first time, and like no experience I’ve ever had. I met people from around the world—many young people on a spiritual vacation, professionals from Seattle and all around the U.S.—and I found myself thinking: where are they getting their information? As a practicing Muslim, there wasn’t anything I could subscribe to for business. Who is serving these people?

At risk of sounding naïve, why do Muslim professionals need a newsletter of their own?

When I worked for MPR as a young reporter, I was the only Muslim person in the building. I had no guidance on where to pray or how to ask my boss. The experience of navigating the corporate environment as a full Muslim is missing. Many still hide that part of themselves at work. I don’t think our business community understands what this person goes through in the workplace. And there are so many aspects to it, like investing—picking halal stocks (ones that comply with Islamic guidelines such as no alcohol or gambling); financing a startup (interest loans are generally prohibited); buying a home—many Muslims don’t want to go through the conventional [American] was of doing this.

How is this different than your mission for Sahan Journal?

I wanted Sahan to be very local. The stories of our community. We just recently hired a reporter to cover business and work. But the Muslim Brief is designed for professionals around the country at all levels—senior, associate, entrepreneur. Muslim stories exclusively for Muslims.

The newsletter is currently free—how will you sustain it?

I do believe this kind of information should be accessible, but I also know there is a huge appetite for reaching this amazing community. I could see this becoming a full-time job. I want to prove the concept first, get to 2,500 subscribers. Then we’ll think about monetizing.

I’m surprised you didn’t take this newsletter to Substack—it seems everyone is launching a Substack these days.

When everyone does something, I like to go the other way.