Staff

Anse Dr. Tamara Gray

President and CEO

Dr. Tamara Gray is a founder of Rabata, an organization dedicated to promoting positive cultural change through creative educational experiences. As President and CEO, she focuses on uplifting Muslim women within community and without. She has a special interest in digital spaces in faith communities.

Dr. Gray holds a doctorate in leadership from the University of St. Thomas, a master’s degree in Curriculum Theory and Instruction from Temple University and spent twenty years in traditional learning spaces studying Islamic sciences, Quran, and Arabic in Damascus, Syria.

Dr. Gray is also an author and translator. Her publications range from several culturally appropriate English language curriculum programs to translations of sacred texts. She has authored two books: Joy Jots: Exercises for a happy heart & Project Lina: Bringing our whole selves to Islam and co-translated the Mukhtasir al-Jami’ fi al-Sīra al-Nabawiyya by Samīra Zayid [Compendium of the Collection of Sources on al-Sīra al-Nabawiyya]. She is currently working on a third book about theology and creed.

In addition to her work at Rabata, Dr. Gray also serves as a Senior Fellow at the Yaqeen Institute and is a member of the Fiqh council of North America. She has recently taken on the position of Board Chair for the Minnesota Multifaith Network. Dr. Gray is Full Focus Certified Pro exemplifying her commitment to productivity and impactful leadership.

She is a mother of three, grandmother of two, an avid reader and a lover of cultures, coffee, and road trips.

Raghad Alsayd

Culture and Compliance Director

Raghad Alsayd serves as Rabata’s current Culture and Compliance Director. She received her bachelor’s in Arabic Literature and an ijāza (certification) in the 40 Hadith of Imam an-Nawawi and the 40 Hadith of Palestine. She has been a dedicated student of Islamic knowledge and Arabic throughout the years, sharing her knowledge with children, youth, and young women.

Born in Damascus, Syria, Raghad spent 17 years of her youth there and worked as an early years ESL teacher. Her spontaneous move to Minnesota in 2014, led her to Daybreak Bookstore, where she became a loyal volunteer. After two years, she moved to Winnipeg, Canada, where she worked in social programming for 6 years serving newcomer children and families in schools, while maintaining her diligent involvement with Rabata.

Her journey with Rabata started in the Fall of 2012 after she joined the pilot Ribaat Academic Institute class, “Companions of the Prophet ﷺ”, as a student. She later joined Ribaat’s Arabic program as an Arabic conversation teacher in the Fall of 2013 until the launch of the new Arabic program in 2022. Since 2021, she has been working in partnership with the new Arabic program team to support the development and launch of the revamped program. She currently oversees the Ribaat Arabic Conversation department.

She currently splits her time between Winnipeg, Minnesota, and places around the world that her work and family call her to. She loves starting her day off with a doughnut and a coffee, and keeps a busy social calendar connecting with family and friends.

Eamaan Rabbat

Education Director

Eamaan Rabbat presently serves as Rabata’s Education Director and continues to serve as Director of the Ribaat Academic Institute since its inception in Fall 2013. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications with concentrations in Advertising and Journalism and a master’s in Educational Leadership and Administration. For over twenty years, she has dedicated her time to the education and upbringing of children and adults.

Eamaan was raised in the United States and Syria, where she benefited from renowned female teachers of the Islamic fields of study, including tajwīd, sīra, hadīth, fiqh, tafsīr, and ‘aqīda. She currently lives in Minnesota, USA and works from the Rabata Cultural Center.

Over the years, Eamaan held various positions in educational institutions and schools, both as a staff member and volunteer. When Anse Dr. Tamara Gray approached Eamaan about a developing mission to spread positive cultural change through promoting female scholarship, Eamaan did not hesitate. From Rabata’s onset, she contributed in any and every space to drive the mission forward, and now can be seen carrying it forward in each of the educational initiatives she leads to promote positive cultural change.

Eamaan also contributes as an Islamic Studies instructor with the Ribaat Academic Institute, in addition to teaching a Rabata halaqa, RabaTEENS classes, and in-person classes locally in Minnesota and at the Rabata Cultural Center.

Afshan Malik

Director of Development

Afshan Malik serves as the Director of Development at Rabata, where she leads fundraising efforts with a heart for community and a vision for sustainability. She holds a BA in English Language and Literature and a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Education, Leadership, and Organization at Texas Woman’s University.

A lifelong learner, Afshan was among the first graduates of the Ribaat Teacher Certification Program in 2020 and is continuing her journey through the Ribaat Scholar Certification track. Her formal path in Islamic studies began in 2001 at the Georgia Islamic Institute and ultimately led her to Rabata – a place she now calls her forever home in the sacred sciences under the mentorship of Anse Dr. Tamara Gray and a vibrant community of women scholars.

Born in Chicago and raised in Atlanta, Afshan now lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and five children, where they enjoy the warmth of Southern living and strong community ties.

In addition to her work in development, Afshan teaches in Rabata’s youth programs and local halaqas. She also leads programming for the Rabata Houston chapter, creating joyful, faith-centered spaces for Muslim women and girls. She is the author of Pieces, a young adult novel published by Daybreak Press that explores themes of family, mental health, and personal growth.

Fatima Salaam

Director of Strategic Growth

Fatima Salaam serves as Rabata’s Director of Strategic Growth. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in English at Spelman College and earned her Montessori Elementary Credential from the American Montessori Society. She is also certified in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Fatima started her career in education. First, she was a teacher then a principal, and finally a development director. Later, she became a business owner in the sales and marketing industry. Currently, Fatima is the co-founder and CEO of the Nexus Experience which provides transformative growth experiences and coaching services for educators and schools.

Her diverse experiences living and working in different cultures and communities, such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have contributed to her ability to connect with people from various backgrounds and create safe spaces for personal and professional growth. Fatima possesses a profound commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment.

Fatima is the mother of 5 and resides in Georgia. Her interests include reading, traveling, and word puzzles.

Umeda Islamova

Director of Communications

Umeda Islamova serves as the Director of Communications for Rabata. She completed a Bachelor’s in Finance and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, Umeda has extensive experience in business, ranging from university commercialization and tech startup to retail and business consulting.

Born in Khujand, Tajikistan, Umeda immigrated to Lincoln, Nebraska with her family in 1997. After exploring different entrepreneurial endeavors, she founded The Dua Journal in 2017, a global Islamic stationery brand as well as an Instagram community. Upon building her brand, she discovered the rich world of Muslim female scholarship and Dr. Anse Tamara Gray. She later joined the Ribaat Academic Institute in 2018 and became a Rabata volunteer in 2019. Umeda joined as a staff member in 2021.

In addition to her full-time responsibilities in Communication, she also serves as a RabaTEENS instructor and Rabata Padawans halaqa teacher. Locally, Umeda can be found running halaqa for Muslim women at the university community. Her mentorship services are not limited to spiritual spaces. As a fellow at the Center of Entrepreneurship at her local university, she mentors student entrepreneurs.

When she is not working on her brand or devising Rabata’s communications strategies, she likes to indulge in hot drinks, reading, deep conversations, nature walks, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband have twin daughters and a son.

Najiyah Maxfield

Head of Publishing

Najiyah Maxfield serves as the Head of Publishing at Daybreak Press, Rabata’s non-profit publishing house. She brings to this role years of experience in editing for Discover: The Magazine for Curious Muslim Kids, as well as experience teaching English and history in the US and the Middle East. Najiyah holds a Ribaat Teaching Certificate and a Dare to Lead Certificate.

Najiyah has authored many articles, poems, and short stories. Her young adult novel, “Sophia’s Journal”, is an award-winning time-travel adventure, for which Daybreak Press also produced a companion curriculum.

Najiyah serves as an instructor at the Ribaat Academic Institute in the areas of writing and public speaking and leads a Rabata halaqa. She also leads workshops and seminars on writing and developing your craft, as well as facilitating Project Lina workshops.

Outside of teaching, writing, and publishing, Najiyah can be found kayaking in the summer, crocheting in the winter, and playing “The Floor is Lava” with her delightful grandkids year-round.

Leila Anwar Pačariz

Administrative Coordinator

Leila Anwar Pačariz serves as the Operations Manager at Rabata, a role she took on after fifteen years of work in the humanitarian field. She graduated from First Bosniak High School and currently studies at the Faculty of Islamic Sciences in Sarajevo. Leila holds an ijāza in Qur’an recitation Hafs ‘an ‘Asim and an ijāza in 40 hadith of Imam Nawawi.

Leila’s introduction to Rabata came during the Pilgrims at Home competition many years ago. Now, she runs Rabata’s affiliate in Bosnia, a women’s association named Halka – which means circle and is the name for the traditional Bosnian door opener. The word Halka signifies the importance of bringing people together and opening the door for everyone with good intentions. Since 2004, she has continuously run Quran classes in Bosnia, welcoming students who are tremendously passionate about learning the Quran. Together with fellow Rabata and Ribaat enthusiasts, she hosted Anse Dr. Tamara Gray and a few of her students in Sarajevo in 2018.

Leila was born and raised in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where she still lives and works today. She is a single mother of two young women. Her eldest is studying to become an agricultural engineer and is planning to help build back the economy of Bosnia. Her younger daughter is in school, working hard and dreaming of becoming a doctor of Sharīʿa, to stand strong with Muslim women on the path of knowledge and independence. Leila enjoys making colorful spreadsheets and reading reports.

Leila also teaches sīra with the Ribaat Academic Institute, along with leading a Rabata Halaqa.

Maha Gaafar

Dean of Student Affairs

Maha Gaafar serves as the Dean of Student Affairs at the Ribaat Academic Institute, leading student services teams and supporting the education of thousands of Ribaat students across the globe. She graduated from Concordia University with a Political Science degree and studied Islamic science and spiritual tarbiya for 7 years under the tutelage of Anse Hazar Mahayni.

Maha began her journey with Rabata in 2012 and continued her Islamic studies education at the Ribaat Academic Institute under the guidance of Dr. Tamara Gray, graduating with the first cohort of Islamic Studies Teachers in 2020. Over the years, she put her learning in action by teaching at weekend Islamic schools and currently conducts youth halaqas for pre-teen and teenage girls.

Maha was born in Egypt and grew up in Canada. She currently resides in Houston, Texas with her husband and children, and co-leads a local Girl Scouts of America troop. She enjoys bringing people together over great food and conversation, and uplifting Muslim women wherever she goes.

Heather Elsayed

Ribaat University Admissions Officer

Heather Elsayed serves as the Ribaat University Admissions Officer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration Marketing and a minor in Women’s Studies. She also holds a Master of Arts in Islamic Studies from Bayan Islamic Graduate School and received the Ribaat Teacher Certification in 2024.

A published writer who focuses her research on Muslim stories and history, Heather is committed to Islamic historical research. With a love for connecting across religious lines, she leads spaces dedicated to fostering interfaith dialogue.

Heather is a knowledge seeker, pursuing new opportunities to expand her understanding continuously. She plans to be a lifelong student under the tutelage of Anse Dr. Tamara Gray and the Anisaat of Ribaat for as long as Allah wills it to be possible.

Elsa Schroeder

Educational Initiatives Officer

Elsa Schroeder serves as Rabata’s Educational Initiatives Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Beloit College and a Master of Arts in Standards of Decision-Making Across Cultures with a specialty in Cultural Anthropology and Javanese Dance from Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany. In 2019, Elsa was awarded the Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad) Program by the State Department and lived in Indonesia for one year. She would later return in 2023 to conduct research on Royal Court Dance in the Palace of Yogyakarta.

A St. Paul native, Elsa has had the privilege to live in Indonesia, Spain, and Germany. She loves learning languages and has studied Latin, Indonesian, Arabic, Japanese, German, Javanese, and Somali. Her excitement and eagerness to connect with others is something she brings to every meja, mensa, tisch, and table she sits at.

When it comes to nonprofit work, Elsa seeks opportunities to utilize her skills and learn from the other Anisaat, through which she is able to serve the Muslim community. Keeping this goal close to heart, she passionately brings her anthropological perspective to the table and faithfully attends the Sunday Halaqa to increase her Islamic knowledge.

In her spare moments, outside of her time spent at Rabata, Elsa can be found lost in a long historical fiction book, sewing yet another new dress, or curled up in a cozy spot with her cat, Serafina.

Michelle Sekusky

Rabata Cultural Center Manager

Michelle Sekusky, an Ohio native, embraced Islam in 2011. In 2013, she enrolled in the Ribaat Academic Institute, studying traditional Islamic education under the guidance of Shaykha Dr. Tamara Gray. Her dedication to the Quran and Arabic led her to reside and study in Egypt for two years. Within the Columbus, Ohio community, Michelle served on the board of the Noor Islamic Cultural Center for four years and actively volunteered with local masjid committees, focusing on religious council, outreach, Islam 101, and youth. There, she also developed a support system for and worked closely with converts for eight years.

As an accomplished songwriter and vocalist, Michelle is known for writing, performing, and conducting workshops across the nation. Her foundation in the performing arts, cultivated during her time in middle and high school, was further enriched by touring during her college years. She is passionate about using music to connect women of all ages to their faith through nasheed and singing. Currently, she is a proud member of the Twin City Women’s Choir and serves on the board of Her Voice Productions.

Residing in Minnesota with her husband, Michelle is the Rabata Cultural Center Manager. She remains an enthusiastic student of the Ribaat Academic Institute and actively teaches for Rabata’s Dragonflies and Rabateens youth programs. She also contributes by supporting Rabata’s Convert Care program, reaching over 2,500 women worldwide. In 2022, she obtained her ijaza (certification) in the 40 Hadith of Imam an-Nawawi. Recently, Michelle joined the speakers of the Islamic Resource Group (IRG), where she educates the wider community about Islam.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Michelle enjoys travel, reading, writing, and cherishing moments with loved ones, particularly in the great outdoors.

Munira Ahmed

Rabata Cultural Center Assistant Manager

Munira Ahmed serves as Rabata Cultural Center Assistant Manager. A proud University of Minnesota alumna, she earned her Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in Management, Sociology, and Public Health, reflecting her interdisciplinary approach to understanding how racial equity intersects with healthcare, entrepreneurship, and social impact. Currently, she is pursuing a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management at Columbia University, expanding her expertise in nonprofit strategy, philanthropy, and impact measurement.

Munira began her career in Management Consulting, where she worked on global HR transformation projects for Fortune 100 and 500 companies and building expertise in project management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. She is also the Operations Director of Project Bloom, a nonprofit she co-founded to combat period poverty in Africa, and a mentor with Bolder Options, supporting youth through wellness-based programs in Minneapolis.

At Rabata Cultural Center, Munira is excited to integrate her skills in operations, strategy, and community engagement to support the operations and community initiatives at Rabata. As she pivots into the nonprofit sector, she hopes to grow as a leader in this space and continue developing her ability to foster operational excellence, build meaningful partnerships, and advance equity.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Munira enjoys spending time with her family, including her four sisters, and exploring new coffee shops wherever she goes.

Roda Bile

Tabling Officer

Roda Bile serves as Tabling Officer at Rabata Cultural Center and Bookshop. A student at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, Roda is pursuing a degree in elementary education. During her free time, she volunteers at Regions Hospital as a tutor, and she aspires to become a second grade teacher one day.

Roda’s mother first introduced her to the RCC, bringing Roda along as she attended the ladies halaqat. Roda found a community of loving support, and still continues to be inspired by the people of Rabata, supported by their mentorship and friendship.

Her favorite things to do when she is not working at RCC are cooking and baking, reading novels, traveling, and trying new things. A huge advocate of trying new things, Roda is very passionate about worldly experiences and she hopes to inspire her students one day to feel the same.

Her favorite book at Rabata Bookshop is Love from A to Z.

May Gaafar

Ribaat Academic Institute Coordinator

May Gaafar was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt. Her family immigrated to Canada while in her early teens. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biochemistry. Her studies of the intricacies of nature sparked a deeper love for Allah and His creation. She began to deepen her Islamic knowledge and studied under Anse Hazar Mahayni and Anse Maissa Malki while in Canada.

Since 2013, May has been pursuing her Islamic studies education at the Ribaat Academic Institute under the tutelage of Dr. Tamara Gray. She is now the Registrar and Coordinator at Ribaat.

May now lives in Houston, TX with her husband and 4 children. She is an avid volunteer in her community, at her kid’s elementary school and her local masjid. She leads a local halaqa for middle school girls and Girl Scouts of America troop. She enjoys putting things together from lego sets, to 1000+ piece puzzles, to Ikea furniture.

Asma Alam

Arabic Program Coordinator

Asma Alam was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. She graduated at the top of her class with a Bachelors of Science in Biology from York University while concurrently completing a 2.5 year Arabic language curriculum at the Shariah Program. After moving to the US, Asma continued her pursuit of sacred knowledge at the Institute of Islamic Education in Elgin, Illinois, where she received merit awards in both Arabic and Hadith memorization.

Asma combined her interests in Science and Linguistics by recently completing a second Bachelors in Communication Disorders & Deaf Education with the intent to complete a Masters in Speech & Language Pathology.

Asma has been studying under the tutelage of Anse Dr. Tamara Gray since 2012, while continuing her Islamic Studies coursework at the Ribaat Academic Institute. The work and mission of Rabata is very close to Asma’s heart. She has been a dedicated volunteer and Arabic language instructor, and is grateful to contribute in this role as Arabic Program Coordinator.

Nawar Taleb-Agha

Ribaat Tajwid Coordinator

Nawar Taleb-Agha serves as Tajwīd Coordinator for the Ribaat Academic Institute. She holds a bachelor’s in Linguistics from University of California at Berkeley and a master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) from San Francisco State University. She has been teaching ESL at local language centers and community colleges since 2013. She also holds multiple certifications in tajwīd.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, California, Nawar was introduced to a tajwīd teacher during her first visit to Syria. She worked swiftly through to receive an ijāza in the Hafs recitation from the late Shaykh Abu Al-Hassan Al-Kurdi (may Allah have mercy on him). While studying tajwīd, she fell in love with Damascus and began to visit more frequently until she moved there for three years to study Arabic, tafsīr, fiqh, hadith sciences, and more.

During her time in Damascus, Nawar also memorized the Quran and received an ijāza from Shaykh Muhammad Nizar al-Kurdi. Nawar has been teaching tajwīd since her first ijāza in 2003. She currently lives in California with her husband and enjoys indoor gardening and crochet.

Maryan Sheikh Abdinur

Educational Coordinator

Maryan Sheikh Abdinur serves as the Educational Coordinator at Rabata Cultural Center and its resident plant patron. With over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, she works at the intersection of grassroots movement building, food systems advocacy, agroecology, and climate solutions.

Maryan is currently a student in the Ribaat Tajwid Ijaza and Halaqat programs. When not at Rabata, she can be found joyfully wandering the woods, tending to her houseplants, or stirring up delicious chaos in her kitchen.

Emmanuelle Manigat

Convert Care Coordinator

Emmanuelle (Eman) Manigat serves as Rabata’s Convert Care Coordinator. She completed her degree in Languages and Literature from Champlain College, Saint-Lambert in 1997. She then went on to study at the Ribaat Academic Institute where she earned her Ribaat Islamic Studies Teaching Certification in 2022, and continues additional studies presently. Currently, she is pursuing her Masters in Pastoral Studies with a Certification in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy, from the University of Toronto.

Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, but now calls the city of Toronto home. Emmanuelle is a proud child of Haitian immigrants. Eman is one of the mentors on the popular Muslim Women Convert Circle Facebook page, an exclusive space for convert women of all backgrounds from across the globe. Currently, this virtual space serves over 2,500 convert women.

She also currently serves as the Chapter Lead for the Rabata Toronto Chapter where she strives to bring Rabata’s ethos of positive cultural change to her local community. Eman also serves in the steering committee for Black Canadian Muslims, a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of Black Canadian Muslims of the African diaspora by reviving a sense of community based on Islamic principles, education, art, and support.

Moreover she is working part time for Ruhcare and Nisa Foundation where she provides counseling and psychotherapy. Eman is a caring friend, dedicated mother, and loving wife who is appreciated by all who know her.

Fara Rasiman

Youth Programs Coordinator

Fara Rasiman serves as Rabata’s Youth Programs Coordinator, overseeing the RabaTEENS and Dragonflies programs. Fara’s professional and volunteer experiences, including impactful work with organizations such as Cancer Council New South Wales, Camp Quality Australia, and Habitat for Humanity Australia, paved the way for her engagement with Rabata. Beyond her role, she also volunteers with Rabata’s Communications team, Ribaat, and Masjid Rabata.

Hailing from the culturally rich and humid landscapes of Malaysia, Fara spent a few years of her youth in Australia before returning to her home country. Seeing herself as a global citizen with deep East and Southeast Asian roots, Fara’s career has spanned various sectors, including startups, sustainable energy, and nonprofits, touching lives across the Asian-Pacific, European, and North American markets. Despite this, her passion lies in community work, which began almost twenty years ago when she first started volunteering in college.

Outside of work, Fara is a student of accomplished teachers specializing in Quranic studies. She also previously led a halaqa group for several years, providing a space for Muslim women to gather weekly to learn about the sira, tafsir, and Imam al-Nawawi’s Forty Hadith and Riyad as-Salihin. Currently, Fara is continuing her studies in special needs education as well as anthropology and sociology.

Looking ahead, Fara aspires to build impactful leadership and volunteer programs for the youth at Rabata, while also contributing more to her local community. She is currently working toward her Quran ijaza and is on the path of lifelong Islamic learning.

Nadia Naviwala

Education Director Executive Assistant

Nadia Naviwala serves as the Executive Assistant to Rabata’s Education Director. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Born in New York, raised in Houston and Atlanta, Nadia now calls Chicago home. Since 2019, Nadia has been pursuing Islamic studies at the Ribaat Academic Institute under the guidance of Anse Dr. Tamara Gray. She comes on as staff after years of dedicated Rabateering as a Ribaat admin and more.

Beyond her studies and work, Nadia enjoys being involved in her community. She volunteers with Girl Scouts, supports elementary school PTA events, and helps organize local Rabata chapter activities. At home, she loves drawing and doing puzzles with her two daughters, exploring the outdoors, and experimenting with new recipes from around the world. Her hidden talents include lightning-fast typing and expert-level note organization!

Jessica Hassan

Associate Editor

Jessica Hassan serves as Associate Editor for Daybreak Press, Rabata’s publishing arm. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota and an editing certificate from the University of Chicago. She has more than nine years of experience in editing and has worked with Cambridge University Press, Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, Claritas Books, Ruqaya’s Bookshelf, and Qalam Research.

Jessica lives in Minnesota with her husband and two children. When not working, she can be found learning about Islam, reading, or fostering kittens.

Sarah Olesky

Development Coordinator

Sarah Olesky is the Development Coordinator at Rabata. With a Master’s in English Professional Writing and Rhetoric and a graduate certificate in Instructional Design from BGSU, along with a Bachelor’s in Communications, Sarah is passionate about writing and education. She’s also pursuing a Teacher Certification through Ribaat.

When she’s not working at Rabata, Sarah channels her love of storytelling into her own projects—she has a children’s book being published through Daybreak Press and is currently developing a series of romance novels centered around a group of convert women. Writing is one of her great passions, and it brings her joy to share stories that inspire and connect.

Sarah lives in NW Ohio with her husband, three children, and cat. In her downtime, she loves crocheting, knitting, writing, and baking delicious treats to share with her family.

Hannah Alkadi

Social Media Coordinator

Hannah Alkadi serves as Rabata’s Social Media Coordinator. She earned her Bachelor of Art degree in Mass Communication (Digital Advertising) from Louisiana State University and is currently pursuing her Master in Fine Art in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. After her undegraduate degree, Hannah also received a certifcate in classical Arabic and foundational Islamic sciences from Qalam Seminary, and an ijaza in tajwid and Quranic reading from Critical Loyalty College.

Hannah first joined the Rabata community as a student of Ribaat’s drumming course, a participant of Pilgrims at Home, Masjid Rabata programs, and Daybreak Writing Circle. She is now excited to bring her years of social media experience, digital advertising, and writing to the Communications team.

A well-rounded, sharp-witted, and open-hearted writer with experience in agencies, nonprofits, multimedia platforms, personal brands, and an app, Hannah is also a children’s book author, volunteer editor, and caffeinated graduate student. Her work has been featured in Muslim Youth Musings, Amaliah, Traversing Tradition, and MuslimMatters.

Sana Farheen

Communications Coordinator

Sana Farheen serves as Rabata’s Communications Coordinator. She holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in Computer Science Engineering and is a certified Project Manager and Agile Practitioner. Before joining Rabata, she worked as an IT Project Manager, leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects with care, organization, and collaboration.

Sana first came to Rabata through halaqat, which inspired her to continue her tajwid studies and join the Pilgrims at Home Challenge.

She describes her work with Rabata as deeply rewarding, allowing her to bridge her professional expertise and her passion for purposeful, faith-centered work. She’s excited to bring her project management experience to support Rabata’s vision and contribute to its growing impact.

Sana finds joy in learning new things, collaborating with others, and bringing a sense of calm and order to busy projects. Outside of work, she loves reading, sipping coffee, walks in nature, and spending time with her family.

Fatema Hakim

Publishing and Editorial Assistant

Fatema Hakim is an academic entrepreneur living in London, and works as a Publishing and Editorial Assistant for Rabata Daybreak Press. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Queen Mary University of London and an MPhil in English Studies from the University of Cambridge, graduating as a Medieval Specialist. Fatema is eager to further the recognition of Muslim women’s publications, ensuring their voices resonate, and are heard.

Ricki Butler

Publishing Assistant

Ricki Butler serves as the Publishing Assistant at Daybreak Press. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Global & International Studies from the University of Kansas.

Ricki has been a student at the Ribaat Academic Institute since 2017, with the goal of earning her Tajwid Ijaza and Teacher Certification.

When she’s not reading, she can be found enjoying the outdoors with her daughters, making nature crafts, or weightlifting.

She is honored to support the mission of Daybreak Press and to contribute to the uplifting of Muslim women’s voices.

‘Alimatunnisa Abdul Ghani

Assistant to Higher Education Administrator

‘Alimatunnisa Abdul Ghani serves as Rabata’s Assistance to the Higher Education Administrator. She studied Arabic and Islamic sciences at Madrasah Wak Tanjong Al-Islamiah for 12 years. Afterwards, she traveled to Damascus, Syria once completing her GCE A-Level to pursue her bachelor’s degree from Abu Al Nour University in the Faculty of Islamic Da’wa.

Born and raised in Singapore, she moved to Damascus for deeper Islamic learning. She spent four years in Damascus, Syria and one year in Beirut, Lebanon learning from various scholars, both male and female. She considers Damascus her hometown; a place where she found profound spirituality and amazing upbringing. She is now back in her home country Singapore and enjoys sharing the gems she has gained from her teachers with her community.

In 2017, upon Anse Tamara’s visit to Singapore,‘Alimatunnisa met Anse Tamara and, soon after, started volunteering with Rabata and Ribaat. She found herself captivated by the supportive sisterhood, the access to female scholarship, and the beautiful Anisaat (teachers). She joined the Rabata staff in 2019.

‘Alimatunnisa has experience in teaching Islam to students of various ages and backgrounds, including students with learning differences such as Autism, Down Syndrome and ADHD. She enjoys working with youth and adults alike – those who are new to Islam or learning more about the sacred sciences. ‘Alimatunnisa is one of the beloved instructors and tajwid teachers at Ribaat.

Saima Ahmed

Zakat Administrator

Saima Ahmed serves as Rabata’s Zakat Administrator as part of RabataCare. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a Middle School Endorsement in English and Language Arts.

Residing in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and three children, Saima works diligently to ensure zakat funds are used in the most upright manner. Her efforts allow the program to run on tamlik, where 100% of funds go to those in need. Saima values her work in the RabataCare department ensuring Rabata zakat funds help make an uplifting and positive change in the receiving women’s lives.

Ikram Hussein

Project Officer

Ikram Hussein serves as the Project Officer at Rabata. After a brief hiatus from her academic journey, Ikram aspires to resume her studies at Metro State University, aiming to complete her degree in Business and align her education with her fervor for entrepreneurial ventures. Additionally, Ikram currently is working towards obtaining a Ribaat Teacher Certification with the Ribaat Academic Institute, showcasing her dedication to both educational and community-oriented goals.

A first-generation Somali-American from Saint Paul, Minnesota, Ikram stands as a cornerstone within the team at Rabata Cultural Center. With a rich background, she has served as the lead store clerk for a commendable two years. Ikram’s multifaceted interests and unwavering commitment make her a valuable asset to our community and a source of inspiration for those around her. Her role as Assistant to the Executive Director underscores her capabilities and dedication to the organization, further enhancing her impact on the local Minnesota community and greater Rabata community.

Outside of her professional roles, Ikram finds joy in exploring the diverse landscapes of the great state of Minnesota. An avid journaler and travel enthusiast, she embraces the opportunity to experience new cultures and perspectives.

Lena Zohny

Content and Editorial Assistant

Lena Zohny serves as Rabata’s Content and Editorial Assistant. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, specialization in International Relations in 2009 from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. During her college years, she dipped her toes into the wide expanse of Islamic knowledge and hoped to continue her studies more seriously one day.

Born and raised in New York, Lena moved to Austin, Texas after marriage. Soon after her move, she worked at a private, non-profit Islamic school for several years in different capacities, where she served as an administrative assistant , taught, and assisted in communications and marketing.

In 2018, while on a tour spreading joyful faith, Anse Tamara and her group stopped in Austin, TX. Pregnant with her third child, and first daughter at the time, Lena knew she wanted Rabata and this joy-filled faith as part of her and her daughter’s future experience of Islam. She enrolled in her first Ribaat class the next month, and now hopes to complete her Ribaat Teacher Certification.

Home-educating mom to three, Lena loves spending time in community and contributing where she can. She serves on the board of her local masjid and volunteers with Rabata.

Nawaal Ramadan Basha

Graphic Designer

Nawaal Ramadan Basha serves as Rabata’s Graphic Designer. Nawaal received her Bachelor of Design, with a specialization in Digital Experience Design, from MacEwan University in 2024. Her diverse skill set spans print design and UX projects, and she enjoys exploring new creative avenues and challenging conventions. With a passion for creativity and innovation, Nawaal draws inspiration from both playful ideas and meticulous attention to detail.

Born and raised in Alberta where she currently resides, Nawaal is eager to connect and collaborate with fellow creatives. When not designing, Nawaal can be found biking, woodworking, or simply enjoying the outdoors.

Walaa Abas

Assistant to the Higher Education Administrator

Walaa Abas was born in Damascus Syria, where she earned her degree in chemistry from the university of Damascus. She later moved to Istanbul with her husband and two children where she started a career in teaching English and science. She enjoys learning languages, coffee, and spending time with her friends and family.

Amina F. Sanchez

Rabata Cultural Center Store Clerk

Amina Sanchez serves as Rabata Cultural Center store clerk. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Justice and Human Rights from Arizona State University.

Born in Washington, D.C. to parents from Ethiopia and El Salvador, Amina moved to Minnesota at the age of 5. She first discovered RCC by attending a halaqa in 2021 and has been active since through volunteering and attending classes and events at the RCC. She started working as a store clerk in 2022. Before coming to Rabata, she worked at a Social Security Law firm helping people with disabilities and at a school tutoring children in preschool and kindergarten. She recently married and plans to move to Montreal, Canada.

Her favorite things to do when she is not working at RCC are traveling, watching movies, trying new restaurants, exploring new experiences and reading books. She is a huge lover of animals, especially cats. She is passionate about activism and hopes to change the world for the better for future generations.

She enjoys the RCC book club which has encouraged her to do more reading. Some of her favorite books are With the Heart in Mind: The Moral and Emotional Intelligence of the Prophet ﷺ, Better not Bitter, The Productive Muslim, Don’t Forget us Here, Beyond Bilal, and Healing the Emptiness. She loves when people from other states and countries visit the RCC, and she hopes to meet more sisters who are passionate about Islam, activism and education.

Aisha Sheikhnoor

Rabata Cultural Center Store Clerk

Aisha Sheikhnoor serves as a store clerk at the Rabata Cultural Center. Aisha diligently engages with customers and assists in setting up the store for the day. Her ultimate aspiration is to become an optometrist and establish her own clinic in the future. Aisha’s proficiency in social skills and her hint of marketing knowledge will prove beneficial in pursuing her dream career.

As a Somali woman hailing from Minnesota, Aisha currently attends Higher Ground Academy. During her time in high school, Aisha has excelled academically, achieving the prestigious “A” honor roll for her outstanding performance. In addition to her academic achievements, she actively participates in numerous extracurricular activities and programs such as Youth in Government, Women’s Leadership, and Model UN. Aisha is also a hafidah of the Quran and is currently studying tafsir in Somali.

At the age of 15, she has already developed a profound love and connection with her religion, which led her to join Rabata, an organization run by and for Muslim women, as her first job. Prior to Rabata, Aisha gained valuable skills through various volunteer experiences.

Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, Aisha finds joy in swimming, playing football, basketball, and other sports-related activities. She also nurtures her hobbies, such as reading books and baking, to fill her leisure time.

Ridwan Ahmed

Rabata Culture Center Store Clerk

Ridwan Ahmed serves as a Rabata Culture Center Store Clerk. She is currently studying nursing at Hamline university.
She was born in Somalia but left when she was only four to Yemen, staying there for a few years. Finally, in 2014 she came to the United States and has been living here ever since.

Outside of school and work, Ridwan enjoys taking walks, watching movies, hanging out with friends and reading occasionally.

Fahmo Barkhadle

Rabata Cultural Center Store Clerk

Fahmo Barkhadle serves as a store clerk at Rabata Cultural Center and Bookshop. Currently a senior at Higher Ground Academy, she is also a PSEO student, earning dual credit for her anticipated college studies as an X-ray technician.

Fahmo, born and raised in Kenya, has dreamed of becoming an X-ray technician ever since she found herself on the receiving end of one. Now, as she works toward her degree while still in High School, she balances her school life with her personal life by enjoying her favorite things during her free time: playing basketball and watching Turkish dramas.

Zaina Wazwaz

Rabata Cultural Center Store Clerk

Zaina Wazwaz serves as a store clerk at Rabata Cultural Center and Bookshop. She is currently studying at St. Catherine’s University, and is a first-year student pursuing a major in Nutrition.

Zaina started as a volunteer at Rabata Cultural Center and then became a store clerk in April 2023. She loves being in an environment rich of Islamic values with successful Muslim women mentors.

Of Palestinian heritage, Zaina is deeply connected to her culture and roots. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, shopping, and going on walks with family and friends.

Hajara Abduljebar

Rabata Cultural Center Store Clerk

Hajara Abduljebar serves as a store clerk at the Rabata Cultural Center. This role marks Hajara’s first professional experience. She is excited to have the opportunity to work on tasks related to her religion and beliefs. As a store clerk, she looks forward to meeting Muslim women from around the world who visit Rabata and is particularly excited about the upcoming events. Through this experience, Hajara aims to contribute her skills and learn from others, while also deepening her connection with her faith and the global Muslim community.

Hajara, an American-born individual of Oromo descent, holds a passion for her faith and community. Currently attending Higher Ground Academy, Hajara recently completed 8th grade and will be entering 9th grade next year, inshaAllah. While not involved in any extracurricular activities at the moment, she is eager to explore new opportunities.

Outside of her academic pursuits, Hajara indulges in various personal hobbies. Her Oromo heritage is an important part of her identity and influences her perspective on life and her interactions with others. She also enjoys playing soccer and takes pleasure in cooking meals for her family. Additionally, she has a deep love for reading and often immerses herself in books.

Ayaan Hamza

Rabata Cultural Center Store Clerk

Ayaan Hamza serves as a store clerk at Rabata Cultural Center and Bookshop. As a second-generation American of Oromo descent, she currently attends White Bear Lake Area High School as a Junior.

She discovered Rabata in 2022 through their online RabaTEENS program, and started attending in-person classes at the RCC in the summer of 2023. She considers it her home away from home, and loves the Muslim community that it gives her.

She has participated in multiple extracurricular activities throughout the years such as Ambassadors, National Junior Honor Society, Student Council, Black Student Union, Homecoming Committee, Yearbook Club, and WEB (Where Everyone Belongs). She has volunteered at different places, such as Tamarack Nature Center, Vadnais Heights City Hall, and the RCC.

She enjoys reading, writing fictional stories, spending time with friends, and traveling.

Ilhaan Abdikarim

Rabata Cultural Center Store Clerk

Ilhaan Abdikarim serves as a store clerk at Rabata Cultural Center and Bookshop. She is studying at the University of Minnesota, pursuing a degree in Health Services and Management.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, a city enriched in Somali Culture, she always seeks ways to give back to her community. She aspires to one day take a leadership position at a Healthcare Organization, hoping to expand equitable resources for those in need.

Ilhaan first came to Rabata in search of a secure study environment, but she later developed relationships with other customers, passersby, and students. She eventually became an involved member of the community.

Ilhaan loves film and art, spending most of her free time drawing and painting digitally. She also reads books, dreaming to be an author herself one day. Her biggest dream of all is being adventurous to create her own story, traveling and discovering beautiful and diverse places in the world as much as possible, and living life to the fullest.

Bassaria Ali

Education Coordinator Assistant Intern

Bassaria Ali serves as the Education Coordinator Assistant Intern for Rabata Cultural Center. A rising senior, Bassaria only recently came upon the Rabata community.

Bassaria is very excited to work at Rabata, where she can spend time connecting with kids and meeting new people that are part of the Rabata community. She looks forward to building relationships.

Chaltu Gobena

Guest Service and Retail Intern

Chaltu Gobena serves as a Guest Service and Retail Intern at Rabata Cultural Center and Bookshop.

Proud of her Oromo roots, Chaltu focuses on personal growth and building discipline by sticking to a routine, one step at a time. Inspired by shows like Suits, she hopes to pursue a career in law, inshallah.

Outside of her goals, Chaltu enjoys playing soccer and staying active.

Liheam Angesom

E-Commerce Inventory Intern

Liheam Angesom serves as the E-Commerce Inventory Intern for Rabata Cultural Center and Bookshop. An ambitious young woman, Liheam is a rising senior in high school and a sophomore at Century College through Post-Secondary Enrollment Options.

Ethnically Eritrean, Liheam grew up in St. Paul her whole life. She likes watching dramas and psychological thrillers. In her free time, Liheam also likes to go to the gym, hang out with friends, and take long bike rides with her mom.

She hopes to learn about the world of online retail working at Rabata.

Asio Sheikhnoor

Guest Service and Retail Intern

Asio Sheikhnoor serves as a Guest Service and Retail Intern at Rabata Cultural Center and Bookshop. Asio is currently a rising tenth grade student.

At fourteen years old, Asio has her eyes set on a future as a respiratory therapist. Currently, she likes to play sports, especially basketball and tennis occasionally, and she also enjoys watching people play badminton.

Lul Mohamud

Guest Service and Retail Intern

Lul Mohamud serves as a Guest Service and Retail Intern at Rabata Cultural Center and Bookshop. A high school and Post-Secondary Enrollment Option student at Metro College Prep, she looks forward to working at Rabata and being involved with the Muslim women in her community.

Lul enjoys expressing her creativity through art and writing. She also enjoys reading, films, sports, and spending time with her big family.

Dr. Anna-Maria Ramezanzadeh

Dr. Anna-Maria Ramezanzadeh serves as Consultant for Arabic language instruction within the Ribaat Academic Institute, with the aim of producing an engaging, effective, and accessible curriculum for those wishing to use the language to access sacred sources. Dr. Anna-Maria is a language researcher and curriculum developer with a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of Arabic language studies. She received her doctorate in Education, specializing in Arabic Applied Linguistics, from the University of Oxford, along with her MSc in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Arabic and Persian.

Dr. Anna-Maria currently works in the University of Oxford’s Department of Education. She conducts a review of existing research on the teaching and learning of the Arabic language. She also produced research for the British Council and the AHRC Creative Multilingualism project.

She served as an Arabic instructor at undergraduate and graduate levels at the University of Oxford, as well as the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and the Department for Continuing Education.

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