Al-Salamu Alikom Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, my name is Elias. I am a native of the Eastside, and I am currently a college student trying to pursue my college degree while also pursuing Ilm. Alhamdulilah, I have volunteered in many efforts in the Eastside from the many programs that Allah has blessed us with, and now Allah has opened an opportunity for me to lead the youth group serving the Snoqualmie area at the request of Imam Abdullah, may Allah preserve him. 

"My main goal is to inspire the youth to work for the sake of Allah by having interactive discussions, fun activities, and more. I hope to plant a seed for the generation that will give victory to the Ummah."

July 2024

Ahmad Ali is a Seattle native, raised in the lush forests of the PNW. After completing middle school, his journey for ilm began, which led him to complete his Tahfidh al Quran at Al Rashid Islamic Institute in Cornwall, Canada. The institute left an impression on him, and he began his formal alimiyyah studies in Chicago at the Institute of Islamic Education. Due to various reasons, he returned to Seattle and continued his education privately with Shaykh Umair Ahmad. His pursuit of knowledge carried him back to Chicago, where he completed the Intermediate Program at the Islamic College, Darul Qasim. At the advice of his teachers, he completed his final year at Jamia Uloom Islamia, Benori Town in Karachi, Pakistan, receiving his asanid to the Sahih Sittah and an Ijazah to formally teach the Islamic Sciences.

Since returning to the US, he is completing his bachelor's degree in IT Business Administration. Alongside his studies, he has the fortune of teaching Hifz and various Islamic subjects, including Fiqh and Uloom Quran, to a diverse group of students. He also helps to conduct Mihraab Youth Programs in collaboration with Ahsen Youth.

Ahmad hopes to instill a broader and deeper understanding of what it means to be “Muslim” and what it means for something to be “Islamic” to the Muslim youth he works with. Additionally, he wants to bring the Islamic tradition alive for the community, as his teachers did for him. His goal is to create an environment that nurtures creativity and confidence, allowing each young Muslim to be the best version of themselves.

March 2024

Assalamu'alaykum!

My name is Huda Ziyad, a Seattle University '22 alumna with a BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology with a specialization in Forensic Psychology. By the grace and will of Allah, I have been offered the role as Youth Director at OurHope!

Her background includes serving as a Quran teacher, Vice Principal at an Islamic school, and Sunday School teacher at MAPS Redmond. Additionally, her time as a Qalam student continues to enrich her understanding of Islamic scholarship and spiritual growth. She has also spent working with Helping Hand for Relief and Development, CAIR Seattle, Islamic Relief and other various humanitarian work - and hopes to continue serving her community.

In her role at OurHope, Huda, aims to empower youth through strategic initiatives and meaningful engagement, fostering personal and communal development. With her dedication and insight, Huda is poised to make a lasting impact on the youth she serves, InshaAllah!

October 2023

Asalamualaikum wrwb My name is Safa Aynoor, a ‘23 UW Alumni in Nueroscience and ‘23 MSA president at UW Seattle, student of ilm and passionate about providing dedicated spaces for young Muslim girls to grow. Alhamdulillah, I am a part of the Eastside community, which has blessed me with amazing, inspiring suhba of muslimah peers, a chance to organize youth programs such as summer schools, masjid programs, sports camps and quarterly workshops for over 8 years.

Alongside my amazing team, Fatima Ateeque, Noor Aamir, Zainab Ateeque, Ayesha Patel, Shagufta Jahan, Ummkulsum Ateeque and Shafeefa Jahan, we are launching our organization *Muslimah Youth for Change*. Alhamdulillah our team consists of 4 hafizas, and 5 alimahs (in training), all dedicated to provide a space in accordance with the Quran and sunnah, showing our deen in all its beauty and guiding the girls to fall in love with every aspect of it. We are passionate about teaching the youth by the youth, by using our experiencing growing up in this dunya to help them navigate the challenges, learn lessons from our deen to apply into our community, and show what it means to be a part of the ummah. Starting off with sports camps just for Muslim girls with over 400+ students, having quarterly workshops with over 250+ kids in attendance, and consistent summer and yearly programs with 100+, we know that a dedicated space can truly shape youth into confident, strong and engaged individuals. Alongside Mihraab and Ahsenyouth, MYC is launching its first youth group, providing Islamic knowledge, contemporary discussions, global awareness and community engagement, socials and most importantly mentorship within secular education, religious education and passionate pursuits.

October 2023

Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh! I am Samira Farah, a dedicated member of the OBKIC community and a current MPH student at the University of Washington. My academic path is guided by my passion for mental health work within the community, driven by Islamic values and a desire to increase my knowledge of Islam.

My commitment to youth empowerment is deeply rooted in our faith. I believe in providing resources for skill development, fostering identity, and creating opportunities for storytelling and problem-solving among our young Muslims. It goes beyond academic growth; it encompasses nurturing their emotional well-being, promoting resilience, building self-esteem, and equipping them with essential coping skills—all guided by Islamic principles.

At the core of my approach lies innovative and creative program development, with a focus on ensuring that our initiatives are both effective and engaging, firmly rooted in our Islamic heritage. I am passionate about creating programs that are culturally competent and inclusive, celebrating the rich diversity within our community while promoting the values of unity and understanding inherent in our faith. I am enthusiastic about taking on this role, where my objective is not only to deliver these programs but also to gain valuable insights from the youth I work with.

October 2023

Assalamu Alaikum!

My name is Ferdian Herryanddhy, and I am honored to serve as your new youth Director for MAPS Snohomish County. I am 23 years old, and graduated from the University of Washington in 2022 with a B.A in East Asian Studies, through which I intend to pursue a path towards the world of diplomacy through the Department of State. By the will and grace of Allah SWT, our collective efforts in the creation of a brand new facility up north have come to fruition. Born in Everett, and having lived in Marysville for the last 20 years, I have a strong drive and passion in the creation of a culture among the youth that encapsulates newfound senses of openness, transparency, and unity. Whether it is the presence of a new masjid, building strong connections, or leading the next generation to take after, I am more than excited to see what our experiences within the community will shape into.

Asalamu Alaikum, My name is Gowiria Yousif and I am super excited to be joining you all as the new MAPS Youth Director. For the past few years, I’ve been an active MAPS youth participant and I am looking forward for the opportunity to give back to my community. I am currently studying Biochemistry at the University of Washington. Growing up here, I understand and value the importance of community building and I hope we’re able to continue fostering a warm and welcome environment for all our Muslim youth.

Asalamu Alaikum, my name is Rayyan Hussain and I am honored to be selected as the new Youth Director for MAPS Youth. I currently work as a Software Engineer, and I recently completed my MBA. I have been a student, participant, and volunteer in many MAPS Youth programs over the past decade, and I am so excited for the opportunity to give back to the community in this new role. As someone who is very passionate about helping our youth develop a strong Muslim identity, I look forward to creating programs that will foster Islamic growth & kinship within the next generation.

May 2023

Assalamu Alaikum! I'm Sarah Alagi and I am incredibly excited about this opportunity to serve as the Director for Tacoma Youth Group.

With a passion for empowering Muslim youth, I hold a Social Sciences degree and currently pursuing a Master's in Behavioral Health. Through volunteer work and mentoring, I've witnessed the transformative impact of positive relationships. As the Director, I'm dedicated to creating inclusive programs that nurture holistic development, Islamic values, and essential life skills. By staying up-to-date with the latest research and best practices, I ensure our programs meet the evolving needs of our youth. Together, let's empower our young generation of Muslims to become confident contributors to our community and society.

Jazakum Allahu khairan!

October 2022

“Assalamualaikum, my name is Omar Ali and alhamdulillah it’s been an honor to be selected as the new youth director of Masjid Al-Wadood in Renton. This masjid has been a really key focal point for myself with the events they host and weekly halaqas. I hope to give the youth that same type of uplifting and open environment that I’ve experienced. This masjid has been growing a lot, and I want the youth to have the space to connect and create meaningful relationships around the masjid. Inshallah I’ll be able to benefit the youth so they can have these same experiences as well.”

September 2022

Asalaam alaykum, my name is Sanaa Syed. I’m 19 years old and currently studying Informatics at the University of Washington, Seattle. Alhumdulillah, I am currently serving the Sammamish Muslim Association as their Co-Youth Director.

I spent the most of my childhood years at the SMA participating in Quran and Islamic Studies under the direction of Sheikh Nabil. To meet and connect with other Muslims in the nearby communities, I also participated in a number of MAPS Youth Events led by Br. Ahsen Nadeem and Shaykh Adam Jamal. These opportunities provided by such outstanding leaders motivated me to take part of a leadership role of my own and to give back to the youth by offering similar experiences. My goal is to cultivate an environment where our youth can comfortably connect and build relationships with one another, with their masjid, and most importantly, with Allah SWT. My goal is to also program our events in a way that allow the youth to not only strengthen their connections, but their character as well, and to become leaders who are confident in their Muslim Identity. Building and establishing a strong support system is crucial since this particular period of time for the youth is the most important for developing healthy friendships and strengthening their deen. I recognize and understand the obstacles these youth face, as I too endured several challenges while growing up as an American Muslim. I strive to use my past experience and current platform to give back and guide the Youth through their teenage lives, iA.

September 2022

Sharief Yusuf is a 'Muslim American' student and speaker. He began his Islamic studies from an early age under the tutelage of Shaykh Mohammad Joban. He graduated with a BA in Strategic Communication from Washington State University and then went on to relocate to Cairo, Egypt to further his studies in the field of Islamic Law and Spirituality at Al-Azhar University and with local scholars. He moved back to attain his MA in Islamic Texts from Zaytuna College in Berkeley, CA, focusing on Islamic law, legal praxis and Arabic.

“I hope to give back to the community that I grew up in by connecting youth to the Prophet SAW along with their Islamic roots and culture through developing a sense of belonging, stewardship and community.”

August 2022

“Asalaam alaykum, my name is Moumin Gani. I’m 23 years old and currently applying for the Computer Science program at UW-Bothell. Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah SWT, the Board at the Sammamish Muslim Association has asked me to serve as their Youth Director. My goal this year is to foster a space where our youth are able to connect with not only each other, but also their deen. The bonds our kids create with one another can be among the strongest, and I hope to nurture and guide their growth through their tough teenage years. I’ve been in their shoes and am no stranger to the difficulties they face. I ask Allah SWT to allow me to be of benefit and service for this community, ameen.”

August 2022

Assalam alaikum, my name is Usman Khan. I'm 23 years old and graduated last year from the Electrical Engineering program at UW Seattle. I now work at Aigen, an agricultural robotics startup with the goals of restoring land, reducing pesticide in food, and reversing climate change. Allah SWT has blessed me with the opportunity to serve the community as ICOB's Youth Director. My vision is for our young people to develop strength by connecting to Allah SWT and forming the type of brotherhood and sisterhood the sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them) had. I hope to provide a space of honesty, where they can discuss their problems and grow towards solving them. Finally, I'd like to nurture a sense of confidence in understanding our legacy as Muslims, bringing up a generation that will aim high and be an asset to humanity. I'm blessed to also have my wife with me on this journey to help work with our young sisters. I ask that Allah SWT accept all of our efforts and make this a means of achieving success for our community in this life and the next.