Aneesah Nadir, M.S.W., Ph.D.

Aneesah Nadir, MD

Dr. Aneesah Nadir has been a dedicated social worker for almost 40 years. After 17 years she retired from teaching Social Work at Arizona State University. She also taught in the Counseling program at Ottawa University and the Social Work Programs at Gateway and Mesa Community Colleges.

Dr. Nadir is a graduate of Arizona State University, School of Social Work where she obtained her Masters and PhD degrees. Dr. Nadir's over-arching research interest is related to cultural diversity, religion and spirituality with a primary focus on Muslim life in America. Her dissertation research study focused on the life experiences of young Muslim women in America.

While at Arizona State University Dr. Nadir developed an elective course for social workers and others in the human services called the 'Muslim Reality: Living in America' which helps students learn about the traditions, beliefs, practices and experiences of the Muslim American community as well as other minority religious communities. She continues to provide diversity training for NASW-AZ, as well as other social service, healthcare and behavioral health agencies throughout the state.

Over the years Dr. Nadir has authored and coauthored several articles and book chapters including "Promoting Positive Marital Outcomes among Muslims in America" in Islam in America: Images and Challenges by Phylis Lan Lin,1998 ; "Islam" in Spirituality and Religious Traditions in Social Work Practice edited by Van Hook, Hugen and Aguilar, 2001; "Moving toward culturally competent practice with Muslims: Modifying cognitive therapy with Islamic tenets" in the Journal Social Work, 2008; and "Home-based Social Services" in Counseling Muslims: Handbook of Mental Health Issues and Interventions by Ahmed and Amer, 2012.

Dr. Nadir also serves as the president of the Islamic Social Services Association-USA, a national nonprofit organization which provides education and training regarding social issues among Muslim Americans including marriage and family, domestic violence and mental and behavioral health.

Today Dr. Nadir is a dedicated advocate in the struggle for healthy marriages and families, as well as the struggle for social justice and affordable legal services.