IMAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
What is the IMAN Leadership Academy?
The journey of Muslim political representation in Indiana is marked by historic firsts and groundbreaking leadership. Over the years, we have witnessed the profound impact of Muslim Hoosiers in civic engagement and public service. In 2002, Judge David Shaheed became the first Muslim American male to serve as a judge in Indiana through the Marion County Superior Court. Indiana also sent the first Muslim Congressman, Andre Carson, to Washington, D.C., and in 2020, elected Fady Qaddoura as the first Muslim State Senator in the Indiana General Assembly. These milestones have paved the way for future Muslim candidates to step into leadership roles at both the state and federal levels.
Building on this legacy, we are proud to announce the success of our inaugural IMAN Leadership Academy weekend. This weekend long program provided Muslim Hoosiers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in public service. By fostering civic literacy and cultivating future candidates, organizers, and advocates, the Academy is creating a pipeline from community empowerment to elected office — ensuring that Muslim leadership in Indiana continues to grow and thrive for generations to come.
In-Person Conference Timeline
Day 1, Friday September 18th: Kick-off Event featuring special guest speaker, open to the entire community. Cohort members can reserve spots for family and friends to come and celebrate with them.
Day 2, Saturday September 19th: First day of training from 9 am - 4 pm
Day 3, Sunday September 20th: Last day of training from 9 am - 3 pm
Post Conference Commitments
Complete IMANLA Follow-up Survey post conference
IMANLA Cohort Networking Social Networking Opportunities
1:1 meeting with IMAN staff member 3 months after the conference
Volunteer with IMAN three times before the launch of the 2027 IMAN Leadership Academy
Requirements for applicants
Must be at least 18 years old
Complete essay questions and submit resume to our online form
Based in Indiana/invested in the Muslim Civic landscape of Indiana
Show an interest in civic engagement, local political structures in Indiana, or public service on behalf of Muslim Hoosiers
Be willing to engage in the post-conference
You’d be a great candidate for IMANLA if:
You have interest in running for local office one day
You’re currently a leader in your local community
You’re interested in expanding your network
You’d like to steer the Muslim Hoosier narrative
You’d like to further your knowledge in civic engagement and Indiana local politics
About the Conference
Meet the Inaugural Cohort of the IMAN Leadership Academy
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Aadam Merzoug is honored to be part of the inaugural IMAN Leadership Academy, where he advocates for meaningful change and engages diverse communities. A first-generation American with Singaporean and Algerian roots, he brings a unique international perspective. He holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, equipping him to lead with intention and align passion with purpose.
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Abdulmotaleb Alsaad is a Staff Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives with experience in government, nonprofits, and international engagement. He supports constituents through casework, advances community representation, and uplifts minority voices. Outside of work, he is involved at his local masjid, stays active, and supports Real Madrid. He is committed to serving the community with the same care he hopes for himself, guided by the teachings of the Prophetﷺ’s teaching: لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ (“None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself”).
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Abdelrahman “Bido” Attallah is a recent graduate of Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Arabic, Culture, and Religion. He founded the university’s American Red Cross chapter and co-founded the MEDLIFE chapter, organizing service projects and medical mission trips to Peru and Ecuador. As a Muslim Egyptian-American, he is passionate about strengthening interfaith connections and is preparing to apply to medical school while exploring biomedical engineering.
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Imam Amiin Al Musaddiq is the Imam at the Gary Muslim Center and a dedicated community advocate. He has participated in leadership trainings previously where he honed his skills as an organizer dedicated to fostering health, wellness, and healing in inner-city communities. He has served as a Youth Development Coach at UCAN Chicago and currently works as a Career Coach and Re-Entry Coordinator at Metropolitan Family Services, supporting individuals and families in building sustainable futures. A certified life coach and student of Islamic knowledge at the Medina Institute, Imam Al Musaddiq combines spiritual leadership with holistic community engagement to uplift those around him. His diverse background and unwavering commitment make him a pivotal figure in both spiritual and community leadership.
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Dr. Ashraf Abou-El-Ezz is an anesthesiologist with a global career spanning Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kentucky, and Indiana. Born in Egypt, he trained in pediatric surgery before moving to the U.S., where he completed research in transplantation immunology and residency in anesthesiology. A lifelong community volunteer, he has held leadership roles in Islamic organizations, helped establish CAIR–Kentucky and the Lexington Universal Academy, and has been active in refugee support, interfaith work, and prison education. He currently volunteers with Doctors Against Genocide, advocating for human rights and justice. Ashraf is semi-retired and lives in Muncie with his wife, Dr. Miriam Ibrahim; they have four adult children.
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Bilal AlShalabi is an Operational Specialist at First Advantage, where he helps companies stay compliant with vehicle regulations. He holds a degree in Nonprofit Management with a minor in Political Science and is passionate about supporting Muslim voices in government. He is honored to have participated in IMAN’s Leadership Academy, where he learned and connected with fellow Muslims committed to meaningful change.
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Daniela Cardenas-Cisneros is a multidisciplinary artist and nonprofit professional based in Indianapolis. She earned her Associate of Fine Arts from Ivy Tech in 2024 and has exhibited her work at Newfields, the Harrison Arts Center, and the Indianapolis Artsgarden. She has interned and worked for the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Newfields, and currently works in education and nonprofit programming at Ivy Tech to pour back into the community that helped her succeed.
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Fariha Hossain is an educator and community organizer dedicated to creating safe, equitable learning environments for all students. She began her leadership with Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA) and Muslim Student Association (MSA), and continued through her professional career. As a high school teacher, Fariha created a network of educators of color within the district to advocate for underrepresented students, including Muslim students, facing bullying and harassment. She holds a Master’s in Education Policy from Vanderbilt University, where she helped quietly organize public feedback that changed 31+ Tennessee state social studies standards to be more representative of the Muslim community and supported the successful campaigns of two Muslim women running for office. Fariha currently works at Indianapolis Public Schools, helping families access quality education.
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Fahad Javed is a Muslim Hoosier from Northwest Indiana, but he currently lives in Hamilton County with his wife Alya and two sons. He graduated from the IU School of Dentistry and helped establish the Muslim Student Association at Indiana University Northwest, creating lasting spaces for students to connect and worship. He’s currently a dentist and in 2014, he founded Keystone Dental Group where he continues to serve patients and lead his practice. Fahad is active in his community, volunteering as a youth coach for his son’s flag football team. He participated in the IMAN Leadership Academy to further develop his leadership and service within the Muslim community.
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Faiza Maqsood is a healthcare operations and systems leader with over 15 years of experience driving performance, technology integration, and process improvement across large healthcare organizations. She currently leads cross-functional teams and high-impact projects, specializing in project onboarding, stakeholder engagement, and aligning execution with business goals. Previously, she oversaw radiology scheduling and managed health information systems for Indiana University Health, supporting over 70 systems and playing a key role in ICD-10 implementation and revenue cycle integration. Faiza holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor’s in Business Management from the University of Maine. Passionate about community engagement, she serves on local boards and volunteers with organizations such as the Julian Center, Gleaner Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and Wheeler Mission.
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Imane Vijasa is a professional therapist and mental wellness advocate with experience in behavioral health and addiction. She is a certified medical and legal interpreter in Arabic, French, and English. Imane holds an MSW in Mental Health and Addiction from IUPUI and has spent over a decade volunteering to support refugees, new immigrants, and minority communities by connecting them to social services and Muslim nonprofit organizations. She currently serves as Assistant Manager at the IMCA Food Pantry, ensuring resources reach those impacted by inflation in Marion County. Through the IMAN Leadership Academy, Imane seeks to further develop her leadership skills to empower and serve Muslims across Indiana.
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Fatima Aly is a speech-language pathologist working with both adult and pediatric populations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Psychology, and earned her Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology in 2024. Passionate about helping others, she is dedicated to improving communication and supporting her patients in meaningful ways.
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Hafsa Razi is the Director of Systemic Investigations at the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana, where she researches and addresses structural barriers to housing access. She also serves as Vice President of Programming for Indy Muslim Young Professionals, creating events and programs to empower early-to-mid-career Muslims and foster community connections. Hafsa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Studies from the University of Chicago and previously worked with nonprofit journalism organizations focused on social justice and public accountability.
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Lee Standberry is a program manager and community advocate focused on reentry and wellness initiatives for underserved populations. He has served at Mumineen Community Development Corporation and PACE Indy, supporting individuals impacted by the criminal justice system. Lee is also a versatile writer, commentator, and community advocate whose work spans humor, pop culture, science, and social justice. He contributes to TopTenz and authors articles on reentry, social justice, and community empowerment. With a Bachelor of Science degree and various social services related certifications, he applies his expertise to supporting individuals impacted by the criminal justice system.
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Jawad Salam Nammari is a community organizer and volunteer at the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center (NWIIC). Born to a family from Jerusalem, Palestine, he holds an MBA and has nearly a decade of customer service experience, supporting civic engagement between his community and local, state, and federal leaders. Jawad’s dedication to service began in Sunday school, where he studied Arabic, memorized Quranic chapters, and learned the Sunnah and Hadith, later leading youth programs and community outreach initiatives. He joins the IMAN Leadership Academy to further develop his skills in leadership and community impact.
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Mohammad “Moshid” Rashid is a community organizer, content creator, and storyteller bridging faith and politics. Raised in a tight-knit Muslim community where leadership was expected of him, Moshid grew into a role model valued for his charisma, empathy, and ability to bring people together. He believes stories are powerful tools to heal, inspire, and awaken communities to their role in shaping the world. He produces skits, podcasts, and political commentary through Moshido Productions and mentors youth while organizing political education programs in his local Mosque. Moshid’s dream is simple, to help others discover themselves, live with discipline, and act with purpose. He is committed to empowering Muslims and the broader community, promoting unity, resilience, and purpose, with a focus on Palestine and the global ummah.
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Mozen Mertami is a biomedical engineer at Procter & Gamble in R&D Packaging and a recent Purdue University graduate with a minor in Organizational Leadership. She mentors community members and is actively involved with Wadi Howar International Relief and Development and the Darfur Diaspora Collective, spotlighting the voices of communities in Sudan and the Sudanese diaspora.
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Raymond Powell is the Executive Director of Mumineen Community Development Corporation, leading initiatives in re-entry support, violence reduction, and community transformation. A proud native of Gary, Indiana, he holds a Bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and draws on his lived experience with the justice system to create opportunities for returning citizens. He began his career at Manufacturing Technology Incorporated, where he served as a Lead Machine Operator producing parts for SpaceX, NASA, John Deere, Rolls Royce, and Dodge. He later transitioned into nonprofit leadership, joining Public Advocates in Community Re-Entry (PACE Indy) in 2022, where he has been instrumental in building peer-led and trauma-informed re-entry programs. Raymond is a coalition member of the Reform Alliance and has spoken at universities nationwide, sharing his story and advocating for systemic reform and equity.
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Nabiha Mahmood serves as Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Program Committee at the Center for Interfaith Cooperation. Originally from Pakistan, she has also lived in Saudi Arabia and Dubai before relocating to the United States in 2020. She holds a BS in Psychology from Purdue University and a BA in Religious Studies from IU–Indianapolis. Nabiha volunteers as Principal of the Weekend School at Masjid Al Fajr and supports educational and interfaith programs at correctional facilities. As an inaugural member of the IMAN Leadership Academy, she is working to grow Muslim civic leadership and foster cross-community dialogue grounded in empathy and service.
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Nouran Amin is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology at Ball State University, where she teaches physiology and champions inclusive, innovative STEM education. She holds a Ph.D. in Biology and focuses on integrating storytelling, environmental justice, and interdisciplinary approaches to make science engaging and relevant to students’ lives and communities. Passionate about mentorship and equity in higher education, Nouran has co-authored instructional modules connecting quantitative skills with representation in science. She participated in the IMAN Leadership Academy to grow as a leader, build meaningful connections, and advance justice, representation, and community empowerment.
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Nuha Adeel is a dedicated professional from Southern Indiana passionate about education, community service, and equity. She is pursuing a B.S. in Educational Studies at the University of Evansville, combining coursework in education, sociology, and social work with hands-on community engagement. Nuha serves as an office assistant and project intern at MASIHA Free Specialty Clinic and Mobile Food Pantry, coordinating volunteers and supporting outreach to help underserved populations access critical resources. An Indian Muslim woman, she is committed to fostering inclusive spaces and continues to develop her skills to connect with communities and advocate for equity in education and healthcare.
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Dr. Julius Ali Mansa is a dedicated Muslim community leader and corporate finance professional in Indianapolis. He serves as Assistant Imam and Board Vice President at Masjid Mumineen and is the Founding Board President of Mumineen Community Development Corporation and Hijrah Transitional House for Men. He also leads Thrival Indy Academy as Board President. He’s currently the Chief Finance and Operations Officer at STEM From Dance, a national nonprofit empowering minority girls in STEM. He holds degrees from Indiana University, Colorado State University, and South College, and is a 2021 Fulbright Scholar. He also studied Islamic sciences in Cairo for over three years and balances his professional and community work with family life with his wife and children.
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Originally from Pakistan, Mohammad Sarwar is a director at Eli Lilly in Indianapolis, overseeing initiatives to develop new treatments for metabolic diseases. He holds a PhD in Pharmacology and has conducted research at Monash University, Vanderbilt University, and Neurocrine Biosciences. Mohammad is also actively involved in philanthropic efforts in Pakistan and seeks to support the local Muslim community in Indiana, balancing a career in scientific innovation with service and family life.
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Maya El-Chaal is a first-year medical student at Marian University. She earned a double major in Biology and Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology from IU–Indianapolis, where she served as president of the Middle Eastern Student Association and mentored first-year and STEM students. Maya has been recognized with the Women’s Award, the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award in IU’s School of Science, and was named a Top 100 student in 2025. She is passionate about serving her community and advocating for Arab, Muslim, and underrepresented populations.
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Sabren Abdulwahab is the President of IMYP and a proud Indianapolis native. She’s passionate about building inclusive spaces where young Muslims can grow, lead, and make meaningful impact. With a love for coffee, reading, and community connection, she brings both warmth and vision to her work. Sabren joined this leadership cohort to deepen her skills, collaborate with purpose-driven peers, and continue creating pathways for collective change.
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Salma Qaddourah is an attorney with extensive experience in private practice and corporate law. She currently serves as Chief Legal Counsel for a local real estate company, providing strategic guidance on corporate governance, compliance, and transactions. Previously, she was a partner at a law firm specializing in civil litigation and a broad range of legal issues. A proud Palestinian woman, Salma is committed to civic engagement and community representation. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Arab Alliance of Indiana, an organization committed to celebrating Arab heritage, empowering communities, and fostering collaboration across diverse groups. Salma is a proud graduate of Purdue University and maintains strong ties to her alma mater. She is also an avid supporter of Indianapolis sports, and you can often catch her at a Colts and Pacers game.
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Talha Kahf is a Syrian-American living in Indianapolis who is passionate about civic leadership and political advocacy. His experience interning at the Indiana Statehouse for Senators Fady Qaddoura and Rodney Pol have been impactful in shaping the way he views the role of guidance, influence, and accountability among lawmakers. He is currently a student at IU Indianapolis pursuing a Master’s in Social Work and Juris Doctorate degree. Talha is excited to live in a society that prioritizes communities, honors history, and maintains stability.
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Sara Khalil Alghani is a nonprofit and human services leader with over 15 years of experience supporting communities and families. She serves as Program Director at ICNA Relief and Program Manager at Mumineen CDC, overseeing initiatives that provide essential services and strengthen community impact. She also serves on the Shurah Board at Masjid Al Mumineen, contributing her expertise in governance and strategic planning. Sara has been a foster parent and advocate for vulnerable populations. Beyond her nonprofit leadership, she has also been an entrepreneur, owning and managing a floral shop, and continues to work as a freelance floral designer—blending creativity with her passion for service. Known for leading with compassion, she empowers communities through program development, public speaking, and workshop trainings.
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Zeinab Aly is an Egyptian American born in West Lafayette, Indiana. She graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Chemical Engineering and a minor in Mathematics. She is actively engaged in civic and political initiatives across Indiana and is passionate about community involvement. Zeinab enjoys spending time with her kitties, playing volleyball and pickleball with friends, and reading, while continuing to strengthen her role in public service and community engagement.
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Wamda Garo, originally from Indiana and now based in Washington, DC, is Vice President of Wadi Howar International, a non-profit providing humanitarian assistance and relief to communities in Sudan and Chad. She is also Co-Founder of the Darfur Diaspora Collective, supporting Darfuri and Sudanese communities in greater Indianapolis with educational, financial, and professional resources. A Harvard graduate, Wamda’s work centers on health equity, humanitarian relief, and community empowerment. She is committed to sustainable development, equipping communities with the tools to thrive independently, and amplifying voices within Muslim and Sudanese communities. Wamda is passionate about building inclusive, community-driven solutions and inspiring others to pursue public service and civic engagement.
By fostering civic literacy and cultivating future candidates, organizers, and advocates, the IMAN Leadership Academy is creating a pipeline from community empowerment to elected office — ensuring that Muslim leadership in Indiana continues to grow and thrive for generations to come.
As part of our commitment to equity and accessibility, we will offer financial assistance to qualified candidates who may otherwise be unable to participate due to cost.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Tides Foundation and Reviving Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment for their generous support in helping remove financial barriers for Indiana Muslim community members to attend this program.