Mr Kawaja lives in Washington DC where he works as an engineering manager in the Space Science program of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Mr Kawaja is originally from Kanpur, India. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, and a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Brooklyn Polutechnic Institute, New York.

Mr Kawaja is one of the founders and current President of Association of Indian Muslims of America, Washington DC. He is a well known activist in the Indian- Muslim, American- Muslim and Indian-American communities in US. He is a trustee and past President of the Muslim Community Center, one of the largest Islamic Centers in metro Washington DC.

Mr Kawaja frequently writes articles in Indian, Muslim and American newspapers on diverse issues of the community. He also often speaks as a panelist in seminars and conferences.

www.aimamerica.org/