Duaa Al-Aghar, Executive Director of Muslim Social Services Waterloo Region, leads community-driven initiatives focused on empowering marginalized families, fostering inclusivity, and building a socially resilient, supportive environment for all.

Manages internal administrative operations, including grant-related activities.

Ensures efficient coordination, documentation, and data management of MSSWR programs and events.

Ibrahim Al-Haj Kassem is a certified KPI professional with over 13 years of experience in strategy development and implementation, specializing in aligning nonprofit initiatives with organizational goals through data-driven analysis, financial planning, and performance monitoring systems.

Manahil supports marketing, communications, and program coordination initiatives, including content creation, social media management, and community outreach. She works to ensure clear, engaging communication and meaningful experiences that support and connect the community.

Samaana Anwar is an Honours Biology student at the University of Waterloo with a passion for medicine and social justice. She contributes to cancer research as a Research Assistant and supports her community through roles at Muslim Social Services and various hospital volunteer positions.

Responsible for facilitating the delivery of MSSWR programming, services, and goals.

Provides administrative support for programming and helps to guide program participants through activities.

Manages external communication with partner organizations and assists MSSWR clients with accessing necessary resources.

Afnan Al-Najjar is a Program Facilitator with MSS. She is dedicated to using her skills in organization and collaboration to foster inclusive educational spaces and support student success.

Luma/Lama Abuarqoub is a program facilitator with MSSWR. Luma is passionate about community development, youth engagement, and creating inclusive spaces for children and young people to learn, grow, and feel supported. She studied Social Development Studies at the University of Waterloo. In her free time, Luma loves creating art, spending time in nature, and volunteering to give back to her community.

Denise is a Registered Social Worker (MSW) and trauma-focused counsellor who brings a compassionate, non-judgemental, collaborative approach to healing and wellness. She provides person-centred support to children, youth, and adults navigating complex trauma, gender-based violence, identity-based harm, and systemic barriers, with an emphasis on dignity, empowerment, and cultural affirmation.


Denise integrates a range of evidence-based modalities, including CBT, DBT, ACT, CPT, EMDR, and attachment-informed approaches. Her clinical practice is grounded in an understanding of how social location, migration experiences, faith, and community context shape mental health and well-being. She is committed to offering accessible, warm, and culturally attuned care that meets clients where they are. She believes that growth is possible when rooted in respect, curiosity, and hope.

Razak Aziz is a registered Social Worker with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, holding a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Windsor. With over 20 years of experience, Razak specializes in working with children and youth, focusing on depression, coping skills, grief, and social media addictions, using a strengths-based approach to foster resilience and growth.

Annelise Baker is a dedicated counsellor (MSW, RSW) specializing in trauma-informed therapy and evidence-based modalities such as CBT, DBT, and IFS. With a focus on individual, child, adolescent, and family therapy, Annelise tailors her approach to meet each client's unique needs, integrating art and play for children and youth, and incorporating cultural and spiritual values in holistic care.

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.

Hilal Biyikli is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), employing an integrative, humanistic approach. Hilal combines person-centered, solution-focused, CBT, and EFT therapy to help clients navigate challenges and cultivate self-compassion and growth.