Biography of: Hussam Ayloush

Biography of: Hussam Ayloush

Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Greater Los Angeles Area.

Hussam has been a lifelong human rights activist who is passionate about promoting  democratic societies, in the US and worldwide, in which all people, including immigrants, workers, minorities, and the needy enjoy freedom, justice, economic justice, respect, and equality.

Hussam holds a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering from University of Texas, Austin in 1994 and an M.B.A. degree from California State University, Fullerton in 1999.


He took his current position as Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Southern California in 1998. Hussam has appeared on local, national and international media programs such as CNN, MSNBC, KABC, KCBS, FOX, AL-JAZEERA, KTLA, PBS, KOCE, VOA, BBC, NPR, KNX, KFWB, and KFI. He has also been interviewed and has regularly written for a number of local and national newspapers such as the LA Times, The Press-Enterprise, The Daily Breeze, The Daily Bulletin, Orange County Register, the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Christian Science Monitor, Pasadena Weekly, Press Telegram, San Jose Mercury News, and various newswire services on American Islamic issues.

Mr. Ayloush is a regular speaker at many California colleges, schools, Islamic centers, churches, conferences, and universities. As someone whose own close family members include Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Christians, , Mormons and Jews, Hussam is an active member of various interfaith groups promoting pluralism, dialogue, understanding and cooperation among America's and our world's diverse faith communities. Hussam is a member of the West Coast Muslim-Catholic Dialogue and the Abrahamic Faith Peacemaking Initiative.

Hussam was recently elected as a delegate for the 60th Assembly District and Executive Board member to the CA Democratic Party (CDP) for a third term and earlier as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in 2012.  Through CAIR's work of education and engagement, Hussam maintains close contact with public officials and various law enforcement agencies to ensure a better understanding and treatment of Muslim. He serves on the board of the Muslim American Homeland Security Congress (MAHSC) (read news report). He also formerly served on the Multi-Cultural Advisory Council (MCAC) (read news report) which advises the Los Angeles bureau of the FBI.


Since its inception and until recently, Hussam proudly served on the board of directors of ACCESS California a leading non-profit organization providing social services to low income and under-served communities in Southern California.  In 2012, Ayloush completed eight years of serving on the national board of the Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ), a Chicago-based organization that campaigns to improve benefits and working conditions for low-wage workers.

He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Orange County chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ). He is the past National Chairman of the Syrian American Council (SAC), an organization that advocates for democracy and human rights in Syria.

In late 2016, Hussam was chosen by the Orange County Register as one of the “100 Most Influential” individuals in Orange County. In 2017, Hussam sued President Donald Trump to challenge his "Muslim Ban" Executive Orders.

He currently lives in Corona with his wife and 5 children.



Council on American-Islamic Relations
CAIR is the largest national grassroots organization dedicated to presenting an Islamic perspective on issues of importance to the American public. CAIR was established to promote an accurate image of Islam and Muslims in America through media work, conferences and seminars, publications, action alerts, research, anti-discrimination work, government relations, and interfaith relations.


Click to read about CAIR's Mission, Vision, and Core Principles