Co-Director Shakir Ali Rizvi - is a resident Chicagoan of Indian and Pakistani decent. Professionally he is a Business Analyst for a large consulting firm and a motivated activist. Shakir brings with him more than 5 years of analytical and leadership experience, where his expertise is in analyzing organizational needs and managing projects. He offers a rare blend of creativity, analytical strength, and a keen sense of professionalism that has been recognized by his peers and management throughout his career. Shakir's motivation is based on his philosophy of bringing an Islamic conscious awareness to growing Muslim communities throughout North America. Shakir recently received his Masters of Science this past May from Northern Illinois University.

"We are followers of the Ahul Bayt (a.s.) and supporters of justice. Activism is more than just flyers, conferences or rallies. It is a selfless way of life. It is the highest level of servitude a Muslim gives back to our Ummah and to society-at-large. It is the intrinsic belief that we each carry the burden of not living in complacency and constantly motivating and inspiring those within our circle of influence. Imam Ali (as) has said, 'That knowledge is very superficial which remains only on your tongue; the intrinsic merit and value of knowledge is that you ACT upon it'."

Information Technology Director Bilal Hussein Dabaja born in Bint Jbeil, Lebanon, and moved to Dearborn, Michigan, at a young age. Currently Bilal attends the University of Michigan – Dearborn, where he is majoring in political science and hopes to go to law school. Bilal has held a number of leadership positions during his stay at the University. He was President of the Thaqalayn Muslim Association as well as the Arab Student Union and was an elected member of Student Government for nearly four years, two of which he served as the Speaker of the Senate. Currently, Bilal is the Publisher of an online Muslim magazine, Islamic Insights, and also attends Islamic seminary classes at the Alqaem Institute and is the founder and director of a non-profit media organization, The Awaited One Foundation . Bilal likes to read, paintball with friends, and build websites in his spare time.

"Our current aim in this world is to do all that we can to help prepare ourselves and our communities for the return of our awaited Imam Al-Hujjah [aj] and that begins first and foremost by providing for the youth of today an opportunity to prosper tomorrow. We have our work cut our for us and our responsibility is to act to make this goal a reality."

Southeast Regional Coordinator Abbas Naqvi was born and raised in the state of New York. He currently resides in Northern Virginia and is pursuing a graduate degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at George Mason University. Naqvi is actively involved in his community, on campus and off. For three successive years he has been serving as President of the RIT Muslim Students Association. He has also done communications work for the MSA-National and the Islamic Society of North America. Naqvi is the former Editor-In Chief of the Rochester Islamic Times, a quarterly campus newsletter aimed at promoting Islamic ideals. He is active with the Interfaith Alliance of Rochester, and Moving Beyond Racism groups, which advocate dialogue and tolerance among people of different faith, religion and race. He has previously taught at the Islamic Center of Rochester and served as board member for the Islamic Society of Muslim Youth. Naqvi is a youth mentor for the Jafria Association of North America, a non-profit religious organization located in New York. He worked and has played an instrumental role, as the administrator for the One Ummah Network. He is a founding member and an advisor of Al Hujjah, a group that acts as a platform for youth activism in Southern California. He is also presently a member of the steering committee and the Southeast Regional Coordinator for AMYNA.

Northeast Regional Coordinator Ali Hassan Dabaja is a native of Michigan and descendent of a Lebanese immigrant family to the United States. He has a bachelor's in Biology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and is currently a medical student attending Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing. Ali has been involved in several youth and faith-based initiatives. He is a past executive of the Muslim Students' Association University of Michigan-Dearborn and a co-founder of the Young Muslim Association of the Islamic Center of America. He is also a founding member and current co-director of the Allied Muslim Youth of North America (AMYNA). He currently resides in the Bronx where he is doing his residency training in emergency medicine at St. Barnabas Hospital.

"I strongly believe that the youth, especially the followers of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), have to potential to revolutionize the mindset and social paradigm of the Muslim community starting at the grassroots level, and more importantly with the self. Change can be achieved by those individuals who have cultivated internally themselves, and only then can the external struggle be fought by moving the masses in the direction of justice, truth and activism. With this, I believe, will the Ummah begin to see success and strength. Activism is a needed precursor for Muslim youth to mature as positive, dynamic leaders and contributors in this society and in the professional world."

Pacific Regional Coordinator Ehsaan Mesghali is a student at the California Polytechnic University at Pomona majoring in architecture, scheduled to graduate in 2010. Although involved with various organizations, he has focused his efforts with the Muttahedeen Islamic Society, Yaseen Educational Foundation and the Imam Mehdi Association of Marjaeya. Ehsaan has held various leadership positions including president of his high school MSA, Los Angeles representative to MSA West High School Outreach and currently serves on the board of Muttahedeen as Publicity/Advertisement Director.

"It is an absolute duty of the followers of Ahlul Bayt here in North America to take the lead in all areas of activism, especially the youth. Through youth activism, as sincere and energetic leaders, we have the potential to unite our Muslim communities in a common front, an important task considering the strategic place Muslim are in throughout the world today. Only through activism will we be able to bring about positive change both locally in our communities and in the greater Ummah. It is time to rejuvenate the activist inside of us al;, as the followers of Ahlul Bayt are known for their energy and dedication." 

Communications Director Zeinab Chami works for the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). She was featured in the November 2005 issue of Marie Claire magazine in "Meet the Faces of the New America." She received her BA in English Literature from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and looks forward to starting law school soon.

"Why is activism important? Because it has the power to move the masses, creating a new consciousness on a grand scale to initiate real change. Why is youth Islamic activism important? For the followers of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), this question is especially important to ponder. We live to emulate the perfect examples Allah (swt) has provided us through His mercy, and we would be failing Him and them if we did nothing. Activism is good for the spirit; you become an integral part of a real cause-something that matters and will make a difference in this world-and you feel proud. As our Ummah faces unprecedented challenges we need to rise up and forge ahead, united, empowered, inspired."

Midwest Regional Coordinator Fatmeh Reda was born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone before moving to Michigan almost a decade ago. She recently graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a double Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Sociology. She is currently attending Wayne State University in pursuit of a Master's degree in Dispute Resolution. Living in a community such as Dearborn has afforded Fatmeh with many opportunities to become active in pursuit of Islam and youth leadership initiatives. She was a past Event Coordinator for the Thaqalayn Muslim Association (TMA) of UofM-D and an executive board member of the Young Muslim Association for six years. She currently serves as the Program Development Coordinator of Zaman International, a humanitarian organization that seeks to establish programs and projects that will help to improve the lives of people both locally and globally. Sr. Fatemah is the AMYNA Midwest Coordinator.

"With every move we make, and every word we utter, we embody the role of being ambassadors of our faith to our communities. It is to fulfill this responsibility to the best of our abilities that we must empower ourselves with the knowledge and traditions of Ahlul Bayt [A.S.]. As a Muslim Ummah, and in finding the strength and inspiration to face current global pressures and interests, it has become vital for each and every Muslim to rise and carry the banner of Islam. In my opinion, the group whose voice might best be heard is that of the youth who are the only link to generations to come. We must rise to the occasion and motivate our youth to take the necessary initiatives to rightfully speak in the name of Islam so as to preserve it longevity and power. I believe in the capability of each youthful voice and the possibility of each of them making and leaving their own unique legacies upon the world."