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Our Team

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Zainab Abdul-Rahim

Founder/Executive Director

Zainab is a child of the community. Born and raised in Brooklyn NY, the daughter of converts and community pioneers who embraced orthodox Islam in the 60s.  Her mother Sayidah Abdul-Mumin— the community’s midwife, who went on to become a psychologist, and co-founder of Islamic Family Services, and father Muhammad Abdul-Rahim. The importance of service to her community was instilled in her from a young age. 

She attended Islamic school from elementary through high school and later went on to earn degrees in Elementary Education and School Psychology, and Mental Health Counseling. 

After teaching at both Islamic and public schools for several years, in 2011 she found the grassroots organization TMI: Teenage Muslimaat Inc., to support our communities in addressing the challenges faced by Muslim Youth. Challenges she herself confronted in her own journey growing up in Islam. Zainab later moved to Saudi Arabia with her family where she had the opportunity to study Islam and benefit from the circles of knowledge. 

In 2019 she found the Muslim Wholehearted Initiative (MWI). A non-profit initiative which strives to  address the needs of our community through Islamically-focused mental health counseling and rehabilitation services, community outreach programs, workshops, and events all centrally focused on supporting Muslims in reconnecting to their purpose; worshipping Allah wholeheartedly. 

Zainab currently resides with her family in Brooklyn, NY.

Khalilah Shaheed

Co-Director

Born and raised Muslim in Brooklyn, NY, Khalilah has been educating and working with children for over 20 years. Starting out in her early college years with tutoring children and working as a counselor in summer camps. She  studied  Education and Sociology at Brooklyn College, obtaining her education degree in 2001.

After  graduating she began working in various Islamic Schools as an elementary teacher as well as leading Professional development workshops for her fellow teachers. 

After discovering she had an interest and passion for creating video content, she started her YouTube channel Life of K. in 2019.  In addition to creating content for her YouTube channel, 

Khalilah currently works as an Elementary School teacher in Riyadh Saudi Arabia, where she resides with her teenage daughter.

Amal Mgaresh

Treasurer

Amal is a Finance professional wife and mother of a beautiful four-year-old.  She has worked closely with survivors of homelessness and domestic violence by creating workshops that help support families to become financially literate and confident. Giving back and supporting the community is a significant aspect of her faith and helps her feel closer to her creator. As a board member of  MWI, she brings over 12 years of finance and accounting experience from both the Corporate and Non Profit sectors focusing on Financial Reporting, Budgeting, and Business Strategy.

Husniyah Hassan

Secretary

Originally from the twin island country of Trinidad and Tobago, Husniyah moved to the US in 2016 after attending the University of the West Indies to pursue a BA in English Language and Literature with Education. The daughter of a teacher, her life has always been driven by education and a strong sense of community work. As one of the founding members of Halimah’s Helping Hands, a non-profit organization in Trinidad geared towards providing educational supplies for children in need, she has always been passionate about helping provide for those that need assistance.

No stranger to working with children, she served as the Director of the After-school Literacy Program with Literacy inc and the Staten Island Giving Circle. Her passion for community work is mirrored in the volunteer opportunities she engages in.

Being a former Accounting Assistant has enforced her attention to detail and gave her practical awareness of the financial intricacies of money matters. Whether volunteering at the local masajids, community organizations or her school, she always fought to assist those less fortunate in society, even if it was something seemingly simple as providing a meal to someone. 

Her concern for the well-being of others has always shone whether through mediation, tutoring or active listening with a goal-centered approach.

Yvette Sylla

Board Member

Born and raised in Cincinnati, OH. Attended Grambling State University, in Grambling Louisiana. Earned a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreations. Worked at Gateway National Recreation Area as a Park Ranger Youth Specialist.  Later worked as a Therapeutic Recreational Specialist with HIV and AIDS populations at The Schulman & Schachne Institute for nursing and rehabilitation. Having a passion to work with the youth designed an afterschool/summer camp program for the muslim children to foster the needs of youth in the community.  Spent years in education as a classroom teacher and substitute teacher at New York City Department of Education and Al-Madinah School.  Inspired youth through broadening their horizons, stimulating their curiosity, nurturing their talents, and empowering them through leadership as a SONYC afterschool leadership coordinator. Currently the Youth Director at Masjid At-Taqwa, Brooklyn, New York.

Rasheedah Ummah

Board Member

Auntie Rasheedah as we loving refer to her, worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for 15 years in geriatrics and mix substance abuse in New York state. Her real love is teaching so she began teaching in Islamic elementary schools. Now retired and living in Georgia. Presently teaching sewing and swimming. Her life’s work is helping people. She’s  excited being part of MWI which she says is, “a great asset and much needed in our community.”

Asmaah Abdul-Haqq

Website and Social Media Manager

Asmaah was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Trinidad & Tobago in her early teen years were she currently resides. She currently attends the University of Bedfordshire and is in her final year of the BSc Information Technology programme. In her free time she runs a study/lifestyle blog on Instagram and crochets.

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