Altaf Ali

Altaf Ali was born in Georgetown Guyana, South America.

He is happily married to Jocelyn Pettitt, and has one son, Noah and one daughter Saffiyah and another child is due in September, God willing.

Upon migration to Florida, he immediately set about earning a sound education, earning his GED and later attending Miami Dade Community College earning an Associate in Arts Degree and later Florida International University earning a Bachelor and Masters Degree in Social Work.

At the FIU he headed the Muslim Association, the Student Social Work Association and the Phi Alpha Honor Society and forged greater understanding between non Muslims and Muslims, earning the respect of his peers and top professors at the University. He earned the distinction of top student in his class, the lifetime award at the University and graduated with his masters in social work. He received the Social Worker of the year Award from the National Association of Social Workers and The Outstanding Individual Community Service Award from the FIU Honors Council in1997.

He also found time to engage in activities to bring relief to the homeless and those in need and never hesitated to give volunteer service whenever possible. He was a volunteer for the Guardian Ad-Litem Program for many years; Joined the City of Hollywood, Educational Civic Institute, (2000) and successfully completed a Leadership and Citizen Development Program; a current Board member on the South Florida Human Rights Council, the council was formed to represent issues confronting minorities in South Florida; and in March 2003, Graduated from The Firm, Fair And Friendly Police Community Relations Leadership Program; to enhance relations between law enforcement and the community.

Altaf Ali worked for the Florida State Department of Children and Families for 6 years as a Family Services Counselor Supervisor. As a supervisor he oversaw a department of counselors that provided services to children and families.

Now, Altaf is the Florida Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and is the founder of CAIR Florida.

As CAIR FL Director, Altaf Ali has defended the rights of Muslims in Florida in all circles. The most prominent incident was involving the three medical students. CAIR FL secured the three students’ rotation at the hospital after negotiating with the CEO of that hospital. Altaf has also appeared on many televised shows speaking on issues affecting the Muslim community. These shows include CNN, NBC 6, ABC, PBS and CBS Morning shows with Elliot Rodriguez, consultant for William Sheppard of NBC for daily updates on the war in Iraq and many others.

He recently took part in a video teaching tolerance of Muslim students in the public schools of Broward County, is a frequent speaker on various community forums, civil rights events, university lectures, and governmental events, conducts many cultural and sensitivity training for Federal Bureau of Investigations, The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and state officials. Altaf was recently appointed to the Broward County Diversity Advisory Council and to the Board of Directors of the Florida ACLU Board.

Altaf also participate in many interfaith dialogues and discussions. One such event was featured on the Archdiocese of Miami Web page and later published by the editorial board of the Sun-Sentinel.