MEET THE TEAM

Duaa Al-Aghar holds a master’s degree in computer engineering and has a rich and diverse background with extensive work and educational experiences both in Canada and overseas. After serving as a professor for nearly eight years, Duaa moved to Canada in 2006 and has since become a prominent leader in the Waterloo Region. Her work is centred around empowering underprivileged children and families in marginalized communities.
As the Executive Director of Muslim Social Services Waterloo Region, Duaa utilizes a community development and asset-based approach to foster welcoming and inclusive spaces that promote belonging and unity. She actively participates in community-wide initiatives such as the Immigration Partnership, Resilience Project, Million Neighbors, and Youth Engagement. Her work is grounded in empowering communities, strengthening collaborations, and developing a socially resilient community where everyone can thrive.
Duaa’s commitment to building a violence-free and inclusive society is evident in her involvement in initiatives like the 'Caring and Safe' school committee at Northlake Wood Public School, the Salaam Campaign, Unity and Peace initiatives, and promoting health and well-being through education and community service. She has created spaces that celebrate intercultural dialogue and understanding, particularly for immigrant families and individuals.
Her dedication to community service and social justice has earned her significant recognition, including being featured in The Muslimah Who Fell to Earth. Duaa has been honoured with numerous accolades, such as the Women Who Inspire Award, the Community Impact Award, the Outstanding Leadership Award, and the Leading Women Building Communities Recognition Award. She was also nominated for the Women of the Year Award.
Duaa’s leadership and efforts are focused on creating a socially resilient community where every individual feels valued and supported. Her vision for a strong, inclusive community inspires her ongoing work, making a lasting impact across the Waterloo Region.
Languages: English, Arabic

My name is Amina Abdulqadir. I studied for intra oral dental assistant at Trillium College in Oshawa, Ontario. I moved from Oshawa to Toronto and worked at Danforth family dentistry in Toronto, then moved from Toronto to Kitchener. I worked as an Arabic teacher at an international school, where I taught students writing, speaking, and offered feedback and assistance. I was a direct support worker at Extend A Family. providing care to children with special needs. Since last year, I am also an independent facilitator for special needs adults at the Bridge to Belonging where I provide support for adult immigrants with developmental disabilities as well as verbal impairments. I offer compassionate guidance and resources to daily living activities focused on building independence ans skills.

My name is Shiwan Ibrahim, I am a registered psychotherapist (RP) with the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). Most of my experience during my early practice comes from working with immigrants and refugee clients, strengthening my trauma approach in therapy. This also provided me with a stronger passion for this practice as it fell under why I chose to be a therapist, to be able to help people struggling with mental health concerns. Throughout my career as a therapist, I have strived to approach my clients through a respect-focused therapeutic approach. Through this lens, I allow the client to guide me in understanding their situation and approach our collaboration toward reaching their goals with a judgment-free lens. When discussing approaches with clients, I explain that I use informed/Based approaches that fall under CBT, DBT, ACT, trauma-informed, grief-informed therapy, Solution-focused therapy (SFBT), as well as Gottman-informed therapy. It’s a passion of mine to provide support to clients in their therapeutic journeys.

Annelise is a counselor with MSS, providing warm and empathetic therapy to children, youth and adults facing a range of life challenges. With a client-centred approach, Annelise utilizes a variety of trauma-informed and strength-based therapeutic modalities. When working with children and youth, Annelise incorporates art and play as tools to support a creative and engaging environment. With a background in community development, Annelise brings a culturally and spiritually informed approach to her work. Annelise is committed to social justice and equitable access to mental health supports for our community. Having received a Master in Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University, Annelise is a Registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. She also has a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Neuroscience and Psychology from the University of Guelph. Annelise looks forward to connecting with new clients as they work towards their goals and navigate their journey of healing and wholeness.

My name is Sally , I studied English literature in Damascus University, and I am a certified interpreter, and dental assistant. I possess strengths in strong communication skills, leadership, empathy.

Nazish completed her Bachelor of Social Work degree at Renison School of Social Work, University of Waterloo. She is a registered social worker with Ontario College of
Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Nazish is dedicated to walking alongside clients, meeting them where they are at. She provides confidential safe space to talk through the issues clients are dealing with. Her
focus is to ensure clients feel heard, seen and valued.
Compassion, open-mindedness, making a difference, relationship and empathy, honesty are primary values she holds. Nazish works from a client centered, harm
reduction and trauma informed care lens. She draws on strength-based perspective, solution focused therapy, narrative therapy.

Doaa Mahrous is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), She finished her Master's from Wilfried Laurier University in Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy. Doaa believes in a holistic, trauma-informed, strength-based, and client-centered approach to healing. Doaa is trained in providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-focused therapy, and Narrative therapy.

Liz is the Operations Coordinator for Muslim Social Services. She holds an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Religion and Culture, and a Master’s degree in Religion, Culture, and Global Justice from Wilfrid Laurier University, during which she studied contemporary Muslim communities in Canada and the combatting of Islamophobia. Liz has been awarded the SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarship and the Zafrin Khandani Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship in Religion and Culture for both her academic efforts and community involvement. Having been an active volunteer at various non-profit organizations throughout the Kitchener-Waterloo region, Liz has worked with helping immigrants through ESL, tutoring, and community-building services. She is passionate about social justice issues and initiatives that promote intercultural harmony.

Zainab Mahdi is a community builder, writer, evaluator, and researcher based in Kitchener-Waterloo. She was the Co-Founder and Operations Manager of Project UP (Unleash Potential) a local grassroots initiative that supported young Black Muslim women with leadership, mentorship, and fitness-based programming. Zainab holds a Masters of Science in Global Health from University College London and has worked as a strategic consultant, project manager and evaluator across many industries locally and abroad. She is passionate about community health, creative writing, and youth mentorship.

Adam Naser is deeply committed to community service, dedicating years to volunteering for non-profit organizations and local initiatives. This drive to make a difference is complemented by strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, allowing Adam to excel in mentoring and office environments. With an unwavering dedication to helping others, Adam is poised to leave a lasting impact and inspire those around them.

Taleb Hasan is a medical student who is very passionate about helping the community, including doing community outreach and helping children. He cares greatly about social justice and works to make a more equal society for everyone.

Malik Javed Awan is a highly qualified professional, holding a master's degree in psychology, specializing in counselling. He is genuinely passionate about engaging with diverse individuals and understanding their unique stories. Malik thrives on the opportunity to meet new people and provide them with the support they need. His journey began at the YMCA, where he initially embarked on his career path, immersing himself in the vibrant community and embracing the opportunity to make a difference. Malik's time at the YMCA served as a foundation for his commitment to fostering inclusivity and support within communities. Throughout his career, Malik has dedicated over 15 years to assisting immigrants in integrating into society and empowering them while working at Immigrant Services. Malik earned the trust and admiration of those he served through his genuine care and empathetic approach. His passion for meeting new people and his unwavering dedication to helping others have been a driving force in Malik's career.

Languages: English, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi

Jewelle Edwards is completing her second year of Laurier’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program. During her first year, she nurtured a sense of community with students and faculty as the student organizer for the Black Student Caucus (MSW program) and a research assistant on a project illuminating the experiences of racialized immigrants. Having graduated with a degree in Forensic Psychology in 2019, Jewelle gained experience delivering financial empowerment programs and services, and volunteering on youth councils. These experiences increased her ability to connect with the community while recently working as Community Connector Coordinator at the Region of Waterloo, to support community engagement for the strategic planning process. As a placement student with Muslim Social Services, Jewelle looks forward to working in programming that supports the needs of community members.

Sujude Kabbar is set to embark on her B.Sc. in Life Sciences with a major in Psychology, fuelled by a profound interest in unravelling the intricacies of the human mind. Her deep passion for community drives her, as evidenced by her active involvement in volunteering and working with Muslim Social Services. Through her various experiences, Sujude has gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by individuals within her community. Sujude is thrilled to intertwine her dedication to community service with her enthusiasm for psychology. Her aspiration goes beyond contributing to a better understanding of mental health and well-being; she is committed to actively supporting and uplifting her community.

Fatima Haneef is a social worker registered with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW). Her passion lies in serving the community by mitigating the stigma behind religion and mental health. Fatima holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Developmental Studies with a minor in Islamic Studies from the University of Waterloo and Renison University College. Fatima has worked with various populations, including people of different faiths, individuals with addictions, mental illnesses, developmental disabilities, crisis intervention, physical disabilities, neurological disabilities, newcomers, refugees, and the BIPOC community. When Fatima is not busy in the community, you will find her exploring different places to eat with her husband and son.

Yasmin is a University of Waterloo student pursuing a degree in Legal Studies and Sociology, with aspirations of attending law school. Her passion lies in community involvement and service. She believes in the transformative power of social initiatives within the Muslim community and is am committed to understanding the intersections of legal systems and societal structures. Her journey is fueled by a dedication to social justice, inclusivity, and making a positive impact in our community.

Hi, my name is Noor Hasiba. I have a Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Biology from the University of Waterloo. My hobbies include photography, travelling and community service. During my time at a diverse elementary school, I had the opportunity to interact with students from various ethnic backgrounds and religions. This gave me the opportunity to translate to newcomers who spoke Arabic. I was able to refer them to resources and services to ease their transition to Canada. This experience and many other experiences have driven me to always look after my community and to be involved. Moreover, I’m always looking for an opportunity to expand my knowledge and to create a positive impact. My strong communication, teamwork and leadership skills enable me to successfully promote and organize events. I’m excited to work with Muslim Social Services as it aligns perfectly with my long-term goal of serving the community.

Razak Aziz completed his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Windsor and also Undergraduate degree from the University of Manitoba.  He is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.  His clinical work starts with where people are in their life journey before moving together on the path to heal and grow.  He uses a strengths perspective that helps build capacity, self-esteem and a growth mind-set.  Over the last 20 years he has had and continues to have the privilege working with people in various social work settings. He currently works as a school Social Worker at the Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board.  His work and expertise at the school board largely is working with children and youth who are struggling with depression, coping skills, grief, and social media addictions using brief therapy.  Razak looks forward to serving the community by building resiliency and optimism collaboratively to bring positive change and growth.

Menar Al-Najjar is set to graduate from the University of Waterloo in 2024 with a Bachelor of Honours Arts and Business, double majoring in Legal Studies and Sociology. Throughout her undergraduate years, she gained valuable experience working across various departments at the University, including the Office of Research, the School of Accounting and Finance, Human Resources, and Legal and Immigration Services.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Menar has been actively involved in community service, volunteering at Muslim Social Services for the past three years. This experience has reinforced her commitment to supporting and uplifting her community through meaningful contributions.

Looking ahead, Menar is preparing to start the JD program at the University of Toronto's Law School in 2025. She is eager to continue her academic journey and deepen her understanding of law and its implications for society. With a strong dedication to social justice and equity, Menar aims to leverage her education and experiences to make a positive impact in the legal field and beyond.

Mohammed Rafique holds a bachelor’s degree in Global Business and Digital Arts and brings a wealth of experience in project management, user experience, business management and community service. Deeply committed to supporting marginalized communities, he has worked extensively in organizing programs that foster inclusion, education, and empowerment for newcomers and underprivileged families. His expertise in digital tools and strategic planning has contributed to streamlining processes within the organization, enhancing the efficiency and impact of the services provided.

As a Program Manager, Mohammed oversees key initiatives, automating workflows and ensuring smooth execution of community programs. His passion for social justice and community well-being drives his efforts to create welcoming environments where everyone can thrive. His contributions have earned him recognition through awards such as the Lincoln M. Alexander Award and the Youth Leadership Award, further reflecting his dedication to making a positive impact in the Waterloo Region.

Languages: English, Rohingya

Sara Samy is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) currently completing her practicum with Muslim Social Services. Passionate about the importance of mental health, she believes that mental wellness is essential to leading a balanced and fulfilling life. With a strong commitment to helping individuals navigate their emotional and psychological challenges, she supports clients in developing resilience, gaining self-awareness, and finding inner peace.

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Her approach to therapy is rooted in person-centered therapy, a humanistic approach that places the client at the heart of the therapeutic process. Person-centered therapy emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness, creating a safe and non-judgmental space where clients feel empowered to explore their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. She is particularly drawn to this approach because it fosters a deep connection with clients and encourages self-discovery and personal growth.