Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,
Dear IAR community,
On behalf of the Islamic Association of Raleigh, please join me in congratulating the newly elected members of
the Shura (listed alphabetically):
We ask Allah to bless their efforts and grant them success as they prepare to begin their term on January 11th, 2026.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all of the candidates who were not elected this cycle. Your willingness to volunteer, serve, and step forward for the sake of this community is truly admirable. May Allah reward your intentions and efforts, and may He continue to open doors for your service in many other meaningful ways.
A special thank you as well to our community for the wonderful voter turnout. Your engagement, your voice, and your dedication to the well-being of IAR are what keep this institution strong. Your participation is an essential part of our governance, and we are grateful for it. As a reminder, Shura meetings are held on the second Sunday of every month at 9:00 AM. Every IAR member is always welcome and encouraged to attend, observe, and be part of the process that shapes our shared future.
A very special thank you goes to Br. Rasidul Amin and the entire Election Committee for their hard work, dedication, and professionalism. Their commitment ensured a fair, transparent, and smooth election process that our community can trust and be proud of.
As I near the completion of my term as Chairman, I want to say that it has truly been an honor to serve you. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together. We have faced challenges, embraced opportunities, and continued to grow as a community rooted in faith, compassion, and service.
With the help and guidance of Allah, I am confident that our community will continue to thrive, overcome hardships, and move forward with strength and unity.
Jazakum Allahu Khairan for being the heart of this institution.
Warm regards,
Osama Said
Chairman , Islamic Association of Raleigh
Ahmed Ayad currently serves as a member of the Shura, having completed two terms over the past eight years. In addition to his Shura responsibilities, he contributes to the IAR community as a volunteer speaker for Jummah Prayers. Ahmed previously chaired the Strategy Committee in 2020 and has served on several ad-hoc committees, including those for Al-Iman School, the Imam Search Committee, and the development of the IAR Speakers Policy.
Professionally, Ahmed is a process improvement executive with 23 years of experience helping organizations enhance efficiency and accelerate overall performance. A lifelong member of the IAR community since 1982, he grew up attending the masjid with his family and was actively involved in the Youth Committee. During his time at North Carolina State University, he served as President of the Muslim Student Association. Ahmed is married and a father of three daughters.
Ahmed A. Gomaa, Ph.D., has been serving the Triangle Muslim community since 2011. He leads the IAR Events Committeeโorganizing Eid Prayers, Eid Fest, and major social and religious programs reaching tens of thousands annually. Under his leadership, the committee became fully self-sustaining and a mentorship hub for youth developing leadership and project management skills.
Ahmed also foundedย Itkan Robotics at IAR and across the Triangle, empowering over 100 Muslim students in STEM education, with teams earning top regional, national, and world-level awards. Professionally, he is a Senior Project Manager at Red Hat, leading global transformation initiatives, a co-founder of Locus Biosciences, and inventor of the CRISPR-based therapeutic platform for multi-drug resistant infections.
As a father of three, his vision for IAR centers on empowering youth and ensuring long-term sustainability for our growing community.
Arif Khan is a born and bred native of the Raleigh community, having grown up at the Islamic Association of Raleigh. Arif was on the shura for the last four years and is excited to run again in hopes of serving the community. Professionally, Arif is the Chief Strategy Officer at BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina where he is responsible for leading enterprise-wide transformation efforts, strategic planning and intelligence, portfolio management, and enterprise consulting. Arif is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is an active member of the community. His past and present board appointments include the UNC Board of Visitors, The UNC School of Pharmacy Foundation, the BCBS NC Foundation, Baltimore Medical System, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the American Heart Association (Greater Maryland), and the Our Three Winners Foundation.
Kashif Osman has been an active member of the Islamic Association of Raleigh for over a decade and served as an IAR employee for six years. During his tenure, he organized record-breaking fundraisers, developed a far-reaching social media presence, and collaborated with every Shura member and IAR committee to advance the masjidโs mission. Professionally, Kashif is a financial advisor specializing in faith-based and endowment investing, bringing expertise in strategic growth and sustainability. His vision for IAR focuses on strengthening its institutions, empowering its schools, and ensuring long-term financial stability for future generations.
Munir Abdullah and his family have lived in this community for 41 years. He has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and is a retired pharmaceutical executive. Munir has volunteered and served IAR and the Community in various leadership roles over a span of 32 years. Currently, he is a Shura member and serves as Vice Chair of IAR Shura. His other volunteer roles and services at IAR include Page Road Committee/LLC Chair and Principal Manager; Team Lead for IAR Page Road campus opening and celebration; Interim Chair/Lead, Al-Iman School Transition Team for the establishment of Al-Iman School Campus at Page Road in partnership with Al-Iman School Administration; Chair, Cemetery Expansion Ad hoc Committee; Chair, Social & Welfare Committee; Chair, Al-Furqan School Committee; Shura member on IAR School Board; Lead, Shura ad hoc teams on Constitution & Bylaws and Consolidation of Islamic Education. Outside of IAR, Munir serves as Board Chairman of Mariam Clinic which offers free healthcare to the needy in our community.
Nouman Siddiqui has been in Triangle area for more than 30 years.ย He is a current member of the IAR shura.ย He has been involved in volunteer outreach over the years.ย He is married and the proud father of four kids, MashAllah.
Born and raised in this community, Rana M. Badwan is an attorney for the State of N.C., an ย adjunct professor, a wife, and a devoted mother of three daughters.ย With a deep commitment to service and justice, she brings both professional expertise and personal dedication to every endeavor.ย If elected, Sr. Rana will proudly serve her second term on the Shura, continuing her work to strengthen and support the IAR.ย
We rely on our generous community to create a lasting impact and ensure the continuous operations of your Masjid as the gathering place, school, and house of worship for Muslims across the Triangle.
Those who spend their wealth in charity day and night, secretly and openlyโtheir reward is with their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.”
– The Holy Quran 2:274
Copyright ยฉ 2025 Islamic Association of Raleigh. All rights reserved.
