Meet Maria Kari | Human Rights Attorney

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Kari and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, what role has risk played in your life or career?
For the longest time, I thought I had to fully understand something in order to do it. I no longer feel this way. I do not think you need eons of experience before setting out to do something. I’ve no longer ask for permission or instruction or advice. I have simply started doing the things I’ve always wanted to do. As an example, up until 2023, I had never filed a lawsuit against the federal government compelling them to do something. When I watched in horror as Americans in Gaza fled bombs their tax dollars paid for, I was forced to act – despite not having experience in that type of litigation. Through strategic partnerships and a lot of unpaid labor, our collective efforts helped bring over 80 people to safety. If I hadn’t taken that risk, if I hadn’t had the ‘audacity’, if I had still been waiting for permission, I would not have been able to meet and assist some of the most incredible people in their most vulnerable moment.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a human rights attorney and executive director of a not-for-profit called Project TAHA.

The word ‘taha’ is Arabic. It doesn’t have a known meaning but it is the title of my favorite chapter in the Quran which is about peace. That’s the purpose and raison d’etre of my nonprofit: to spread peace, to ease the burden of the most vilified, oppressed and dehumanized.

I see my work as a chip in the dam, a signal that injustice will not be met with silence and fear. Lawyers have a responsibility that extends outside of just protecting our clients interests and getting in our billable hours. We have to not only teach others about their rights but also how to assert those rights. To help those who’re silenced through fear tactics or simply overlooked.

After having worked in corporate law before transitioning to social justice work I have realized that I don’t think I could call my life a real success if my joy weren’t wedded to responsibility for others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I can spend hours at Hermann Park or sitting by the pond at Memorial Park. I love watching my kids run amok at Evelyn’s Park. I love the veggie scramble at Dandelion Cafe. The coffee at Tazza is exceptional. Late nights at Qahwah House are hard to beat.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My work is determined by faith, not anything else. The Prophet Muhammad said, “trust in God, but tether your camel first.” I do my due diligence and I do my best. The rest I leave to God and let go.

My biggest source of inspiration, comfort, and motivation is my husband. All the things I work on today, I was doing before I met him. However, he helped me scale up and see success in a whole different way (i.e. in a more spiritual way). He’s also encouraged me to be more daring in the opportunities I seek out. Of course, he also helps hold down the proverbial fort financially so I can run around doing pro bono cases.

Website: https://projecttaha.org

Instagram: @lawbymaria

Twitter: mariakari1414