Our Alumni

Ismail Ahmad earned first-class honors in Islamic Studies from Bauchi State University, Gadau, and a Master's in Islamic Finance from Bayero University's International Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance.

He serves as volunteer Assistant Admin with the Association of Zakat and Waqf Operators in Nigeria, researching Islamic Social Finance, and has presented at conferences across Indonesia, Malaysia, and beyond.

A published author and contributor to AZAWON's monthly newsletter, Ismail has also composed over 200 poems in Hausa and English. He chairs Research and Publication for the Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria and edits the Al-Ilham Journal.

Afshan Paarlberg, Esq. is an assistant research scholar at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, driving research that spans global philanthropy trends and access to justice for immigrant and refugee communities.

A Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center and a dual BBA/BA graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, she is now pursuing a PhD in philanthropic studies.

Her dissertation examines the strengths and limits of nonprofit legal aid for U.S. asylum seekers when protection frameworks fail.

Afshan serves as board director for The Appellate Project, secretary of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, and past president of Exodus Refugee Immigration.

Arshia Ali Khan is an energetic, highly driven professional with broad hands-on and theoretical expertise across multiple fields.

She excels at building new processes, resolving challenges, and delivering enhancements that strengthen ongoing work, consistently meeting demanding assignments within tight timelines.

Highly articulate with strong interpersonal skills, Arshia combines sharp management ability with methodical precision — deciding, coordinating, and synthesizing data with confidence and clarity.

Muhi Khwaja earned his Bachelor's in History and Psychology from the University of Michigan in 2009, discovering his passion for fundraising through a Development Summer Internship.

He went on to complete a Master's in Public Administration in 2013 specializing in nonprofit management, and became a Certified Fund Raising Executive in 2016.

With over 14 years of nonprofit leadership — from solo development roles to Chief Development Officer — Muhi now teaches as Adjunct Faculty at Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

He co-founded the American Muslim Community Foundation, helping families direct over $10 million since 2017, and trains rising fundraisers at the National University Fundraising Academy.

Nausheena Hussain is a social justice activist and principal of Nissa Consulting, empowering Muslim-led nonprofits and advancing Muslim philanthropy.

She co-founded and serves as executive director emerita of Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment, a platform uplifting Muslim women since 2016.

Formerly deputy director of CAIR-Minnesota, she now sits on the board of the Center on Muslim Philanthropy and co-founded the Brooklyn Park Islamic Center and the Muslim Youth Leadership Award.

A doctoral candidate in philanthropic leadership at Indiana University's Lilly School of Philanthropy, Nausheena's impact has been honored by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the Minnesota Women's Press.

Iman Fathima holds a bachelor's in International Communication and a master's in Applied Linguistics from the International Islamic University Malaysia.

Deeply committed to community service, she has supported refugees, student organizations, and research on Islam's societal perspectives.

After completing the ZFI Fellowship in 2022, Iman pursued a PhD at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis, researching the link between charitable giving and political dynamics, alongside coursework in Fund Raising Management.

She now serves as a Graduate Assistant with the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative at IUPUI, working alongside Dr. Shariq Siddiqui.

Md. Jonayed Hossain is a healthcare professional dedicated to humanitarian work among vulnerable communities.

He holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from North South University, a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Dhaka, and is pursuing a Master's in Philanthropic Studies at IUPUI.

As Medical Coordinator at OBAT Helpers Inc., Jonayed led critical health efforts during COVID-19 in local areas and Rohingya refugee camps, and later established the first dental clinic in the Rohingya camp as Resident Dentist for the Refugee Crisis Foundation.

He completed fundraising leadership training in Istanbul and continues advancing healthcare for underserved communities.

Lateef Bello is a communications, grants, and project management expert passionate about community development.

Now a Graduate Research Assistant at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, he previously held key roles including Executive Secretary at Tahara Collective, Director of Programs at Almajiri Child Rights Initiative, and Senior Program Manager at She Writes Woman Mental Health Initiative.

He has trained over a dozen organizations — including UNICEF- and CIFF-backed projects — and equipped 15+ Muslim faith-based organizations across Nigeria.

Lateef is committed to strengthening nonprofits and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion among faith-based actors, a mission that inspired his ZFI fellowship.

Lawan Bello, fluent in English and Hausa, is a distinguished scholar in Islamic Studies and Finance, holding a Master's in Islamic Banking and Finance and certifications from the International Islamic University Malaysia and Bayero University.

He has served as a lecturer and Islamic Studies teacher, and volunteered as Assistant Admin Secretary for the Association of Zakat and Waqf Operators in Nigeria.

A prolific writer, Lawan has authored numerous publications on Islamic finance, economics, and education, championing poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

Known for sharp organizational and analytical skills, he adapts readily to new ideas and consistently meets demanding deadlines.

Rukkayya Musa Kinta, a microbiology graduate of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, has engaged with nonprofit organizations across Nigeria since secondary school.

Driven by a passion for volunteering, she works to build a better world for vulnerable communities, bringing hands-on experience in humanitarian outreach, project management, and fundraising.

Rukkayya is dedicated to shaping the world through integrity and female empowerment, currently serving as Acting Director of the Welfare Department at the Islamic Education Trust in Nigeria, where she leads projects in food aid, water access, orphan care, out-of-school children, and widows' empowerment.

Saif Al Gaami, a civil engineer from Yemen, brings deep experience from both construction and philanthropy.

After successfully managing major projects within Yemen's construction industry, he made a heartfelt decision in 2020 to dedicate himself fully to philanthropic work.

Since joining the AL-Hikma AL-Yamania Association For Charity, he has led the launch and execution of projects uplifting the community's most vulnerable — orphaned children and war refugees.

He built a dedicated neighborhood team to unite compassion and action, mobilizing aid and financial support from local and international donors to deliver vital food and medicine to families facing hardship.

Zoha Gardezi, a passionate professional from Lahore, Pakistan, is pursuing her MA in Philanthropic Studies at Indiana University Indianapolis's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

A Graduate Assistant at OverDose Lifeline and ZFI participant since August 2022, she holds a BS in Environmental Science from Forman Christian College University and brings hands-on research experience from WWF and Pakistan's Center for Economic Research.

Zoha aims to translate her Zakat Foundation Institute education into meaningful impact for underprivileged communities, envisioning a nonprofit that tackles social challenges in Pakistan and beyond — mastering research, collaboration, and networking along the way.

Muhammad Yahya, from Niger State, Nigeria, is a multilingual scholar of English and Arabic, fluent in English, Arabic, Hausa, and Nupe, with certifications in Islamic studies.

A dedicated teacher since 2006 with the Niger State Science and Technical Schools Board, he also serves as Da'wah worker and Jumuah Imam at Darul Quran Central Mosque and facilitates for the Da'wah Institute of Nigeria.

A prolific author of nine books and countless articles, poems, and stories, Muhammad reaches audiences through nearly 200 YouTube videos on Islamic teachings.

His leadership spans several chapters of the Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria, reflecting a lifelong commitment to community and faith.

Mohamed Hegazy is a mechanical engineer by training and a communications and management consultant by practice.

He holds Master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Entrepreneurship & Development Management, plus postgraduate credentials in Social Entrepreneurship, Leadership & Governance from Harvard's Kennedy School, and Philanthropic Studies.

He is now pursuing a further master's in Philanthropic Studies at Indiana Purdue University.

With over 10 years consulting across NGO management, education, business development, election campaigns, and crisis communication, Mohamed has co-founded multiple civil society organizations and social initiatives centered on informal education.