A Message from our Executive Director
Dear Mozaic Family,
From the Executive Director
As September comes to a close, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on the many meaningful moments we shared this month. At Mozaic, our calendar was full — with programs, advocacy, and community gatherings that brought both joy and responsibility.
The spirit of the Mawlid of the Prophet ﷺ reminded us of compassion, service, and light. Our immigration and advocacy efforts gave voice to the urgent needs of people of Syria, TPS holders, asylum seekers, and refugee families. We also kept space for mental health and wellness, recognizing how vital it is for families navigating uncertainty and change.
This month, we celebrated achievements, faced difficult news, and continued our mission with resilience and hope. In this newsletter, you will find highlights from Mozaic’s September programs and events, our advocacy work, updates on Syria and U.S. policies, community resources, and stories of impact.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your support — as volunteers, donors, partners, and friends — makes every achievement possible.
With gratitude,
Raghad Bushnaq
Executive Director, Mozaic
The Mozaic Digest
Important developments that impact refugees, immigrants, and our neighbors.
Additional Verified News
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has officially terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrians. This status will end at 11:59 p.m., local time, on November 21, 2025, meaning Syrian nationals under TPS will no longer have that protection. USCIS
The Trump administration has issued a new policy for H-1B visas: employers applying for new H-1B visas must now pay a $100,000 application fee for each new applicant. Existing H-1B holders are not affected by this change. Department of Labor – H-1B Program: Wage and labor condition requirements, protections for workers, and employer obligations. DOL
For the first time in over a decade, the Syrian flag was raised above the Syrian Embassy in Washington, D.C. by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. This act is considered historic and symbolic, especially in light of his upcoming visit to New York for the UN General Assembly. Anadolu Ajansı+2TRT World+2 https://sana.sy/en/politics/2268470/
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa will address the United Nations General Assembly this September, marking the first time a Syrian head of state has made such an address since 1967 — a nearly 60-year absence. In a landmark UN speech, the Syrian president vows to rebuild Syria saying to the UN General Assembly: “Syria is writing a new chapter in its history, titled: peace, stability, and prosperity” Listen to the speech here https://youtu.be/55Nqta8jxBw?si=mxg3Cu2w4C9fqlTu
Program Highlights
Annual Womens Mawlid
- Mawlid 2025
Kids Sira Workshop
- Kids 2025
Youth Sira Workshop
- Youth Sira Workshop '25
Immigration Film Festival
- Immigration Film Festival
Our Shared Home
- Welcome Week
In the Spotlight
Volunteer Spotlight
Runia Mir Jahan is a mother of four who has been volunteering with Mozaic since we started in 2016. Runia currently also works as a teacher with the Loudoun County Public Schools.
She was inspired by Mozaic’s Founder and CEO, Raghad Bushnaq, and decided to serve the community by volunteering with Mozaic. She even brings her family to help out at Mozaic.
She was inspired by Mozaic’s Founder and CEO, Raghad Bushnaq, and decided to serve the community by volunteering with Mozaic. She even brings her family to help out at Mozaic.
“One of the things I love most about Mozaic is the way people are treated. Mozaic ensures that everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and the very best service and treatment is given. Mozaic strives to deliver quality and this is what I admire about Mozaic.
It is truly an honor to be part of this meaningful cause.” – Runia Mir Jahan
Recent Success Stories
Recently, Rehab shared her story publicly at Our Shared Home, an event held in honor of Welcome Week that recognized and celebrated refugees. Her words inspired many and reminded us all of the resilience and hope within our community.
Blog of the Month
DMV’s Best Hidden Food Gems
Mozaic Kitchen is spotlighting two incredible women-led small businesses redefining DC-area cuisine with flavor, authenticity, and heritage.
✨ Dana’s Creative Kitchen – famous for kunafa that’s gooey, floral, and unforgettable.
✨ Damascino’s House of Kibbeh – serving classic Levantine dishes filled with tradition and nostalgia.
These hidden gems prove that the most memorable meals aren’t always the most famous—they’re the ones made with love, care, and community.
Mozaic Library – Book of the Month!
This month, we highlighted: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy by Christine Wilding
🧠 This accessible and practical guide introduces the core principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)—a proven approach to understanding the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. 🙌
Christine Wilding breaks down CBT into easy-to-follow steps, offering strategies to:
1️⃣ Challenge negative thought patterns.
2️⃣ Build resilience and confidence.
3️⃣ Manage stress, anxiety, and low mood.
4️⃣ Develop healthier habits for everyday life.
This month, we highlighted: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy by Christine Wilding
🧠 This accessible and practical guide introduces the core principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)—a proven approach to understanding the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. 🙌
Christine Wilding breaks down CBT into easy-to-follow steps, offering strategies to:
1️⃣ Challenge negative thought patterns.
2️⃣ Build resilience and confidence.
3️⃣ Manage stress, anxiety, and low mood.
4️⃣ Develop healthier habits for everyday life.
Written in a clear and encouraging style, this book is perfect for anyone who wants to take practical steps toward improving their mental well-being. 😎
Whether you’re completely new to CBT or looking for a refresher, this book offers tools you can apply immediately. ✨
Stop by Mozaic Library to check it out—and don’t miss the chance to borrow other inspiring titles while you’re here! 📖
Partnerships & Advocacy
In partnership with the Syrian American Council, 100 Syrians visited their congressional representatives to advocate for the repeal of the Caesar Act. Mozaic’s CEO met with Virginia Senators and Representatives to emphasize the urgent need to lift sanctions so refugees can rebuild their destroyed homes and safely return to Syria. The visit included a one-hour meeting and luncheon with Senator Joe Wilson, where participants heard updates about his August visit to Syria and discussed pathways for reconstruction and refugee return.
Mozaic partners with We Are All America to elevate the voices of refugees, TPS holders, and asylum seekers in the DMV region. During National Advocacy Week, our team met with U.S. Senators and their staff to present urgent community priorities — including TPS extensions, resolving asylum backlogs, and ensuring timely work permit renewals. Through this collaboration, we helped bring the real stories and challenges of displaced families directly to policymakers, advocating for policies that promote stability, dignity, and opportunity for all.
Sponsors
- Alexandra Healing Spa — alexandrahealingspa.com
Alexandra Healing Spa
Haute Hijab
Tawes
Fid Deen
Sliced
Fabled
- Haute Hijab — hautehijab.com
- Tawes — tawesclothing.com
- Fid Deen — fiddeen.com
- Sliced — slicedthw.com
- Fabled — fabledstore.com
Upcoming Events
Launch of Mozaic Library & Arabic Storytime (Kids & Families)
📅 Date: Saturday, Oct 4, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 12:30PM
📍 Venue: Mozaic Center, Sterling
🔗 Register:
GWU Cooking Demo (Mozaic Kitchen Program)
📅 Date: Monday, Oct 13, 2025 | 6:00 PM
📍 Venue: George Washington University
Goal Setting & Planning Workshop (Mozaic Care)
📅 Date: Sunday, Oct 19, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Venue: Mozaic Center, Sterling
Night of Noor (Kids Program)
📅 Date: Friday, Oct 31, 2025 | 6:30–9:00 PM
📍 Venue: Mozaic Center, Sterling
🔗 Register:
all businesses redefining DC-area cuisine with flavor, authenticity, and heritage.
✨ Dana’s Creative Kitchen – famous for kunafa that’s gooey, floral, and unforgettable.
✨ Damascino’s House of Kibbeh – serving classic Levantine dishes filled with tradition and nostalgia.
These hidden gems prove that the most memorable meals aren’t always the most famous—they’re the ones made with love, care, and community.
Fall Sessions Are Underway
Kids Sira Club (ages 7–10)
Wednesdays starting Sept 24
5:00 – 6:00 PM
Morals & Manners Class for youth (ages 11–15)
Saturdays starting Sept 27
2:00 -3:00 pm (Boys)
3:00 -4:00 pm (Girls)
Quran Fluency for Women ( online)
Starting Oct
Fridays, 10:00 – 11:30 AM
Tajiwid for Women (Online)
Starting Oct
Sundays, 4.30 pm
Opportunities to Get Involved
New Volunteer Opportunity: Education Support Team
Mozaic is launching a Career Development Mentor Program through our Professional Development Committee! As a mentor, you’ll guide job seekers, share career advice, and help open doors to meaningful career and financial opportunities. Your support can make a lasting impact—empowering community members to reach their goals and thrive.
Interested in joining? Sign up here: Career Development Mentor Form : –
New Volunteer Opportunity: Career Development Mentor Program
Mozaic is excited to launch new opportunities for volunteers to support our Education Programs! As an education volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in helping children and youth thrive—whether by assisting with Arabic Storytime, supporting sira workshops, tutoring, or helping at special programs. Your time and care can spark a love of learning, nurture confidence, and empower the next generation.
Interested in joining? Sign up here:
Mozaic Hygiene Drive: Supporting Families with Dignity
With inflation rising and back-to-school season approaching, Mozaic launched a Hygiene Drive to support refugee families with essentials like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and feminine products. Thanks to generous contributions from families, individuals, and local businesses, our volunteers assembled and distributed kits that brought joy, relief, and dignity to those in need.
You can still make an impact—donate through our online registry or host a mini-drive with family and friends. Every contribution counts.
🛠️ Resources for Immigrant Families in Northern Virginia
🏛️ Legal Services & Immigration Support
Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) offers low-cost legal consultations and representation for immigration cases in the Virginia and DC area. This is a great resource for TPS holders, asylum seekers, and families navigating the immigration process.
🔗 Learn more:
⚖️Find an Immigration Lawyer
If your immigration case is denied. A wrong answer on a form or not including the right documents may cause your application to be denied. When you hire a lawyer, you are buying peace of mind. You are hiring someone to help you who is trained in immigration law and knows how the immigration system works.
🔗 Join Us Today:
💰 Financial Assistance in Loudoun County
Loudoun County provides help applying for programs such as SNAP, Medical Assistance, TANF, and energy assistance through the CommonHelp system. These programs can be critical for families experiencing financial strain.
🔗 Explore options:
🎒 School Support for Families
Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) offers low-cost legal consultations and representation for immigration cases in the Virginia and DC area. This is a great resource for TPS holders, asylum seekers, and families navigating the immigration process.
🔗 Learn more:
Loudoun County Public Schools and Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) both offer resources to help immigrant families navigate enrollment, language services, and student support — regardless of immigration status. These programs ensure children have equal access to education and that family privacy is respected.
🔗 FCPS Resources:
📖 Fairfax County Immigrant Resource Guide
Fairfax County has compiled a comprehensive PDF guide listing legal help, education support, integration programs, and community resources for immigrants.
🔗 Download the guide:
💡About the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), a large budget reconciliation bill, into law. The Senate and House of Representatives narrowly passed this version of HR 1 on July 1 and July 3, respectively.
🔗 Download the File:
Join Us in Building Stronger Communities
As we wrap up this month’s updates, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our volunteers and sponsors. Your time, generosity, and dedication are what make Mozaic’s work possible — from teaching classes and organizing events to supporting refugees and their families as they rebuild their lives.
Every hour you give and every dollar you donate creates real impact — helping families find stability, youth discover confidence, and our community grow stronger together.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. Together, we are building a brighter, more hopeful future.
📩 Mozaic Support
For direct support, program questions, or to get involved, contact us:
Email: info@mozaicdmv.org
Phone: 202-989-9000
✨ Donate today to sustain programs that nurture creativity, confidence, and community: mozaicdmv.org/donate
🙌 Volunteer with us and make a hands-on impact: mozaicdmv.org/volunteer
📅 Stay connected for future events and programs: mozaicdmv.org/events
Lending a Helping Hand to Build a Better Community
Refugees | Women | Children
