Our team.
Staff
Luna Banuri
Executive Director
Luna is a seasoned consultant with 25 years of experience in non-profit and for-profit sectors in strategy, community and organizational development An articulate communicator, recognized for advocating and fostering social justice policies based on diversity and inclusion. Luna evolved her legal education background and expertise into a distinguished consulting practice. She has held leadership roles managing corporate multi-cultural/inclusion initiatives, complemented by experience as an entrepreneur. She is founder and director of TeleTaleem, a non-profit enterprise focusing on helping leverage the power of technology, innovative approaches, and partnerships to solve the toughest global development challenges in Education.
Jamilla Al-ani
Program Associate
Jamilla Al-ani is an event coordinator with a background in humanitarian fundraising and program management. She enjoys meeting new people and cooperating with others for good causes.
Wagma Mohmand
Program Associate
Wagma Mohmand is a Physician Assistant at the University of Utah Redwood Health Center in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics with a focus on refugee women & children's health. She provides workshops on cultural competency to healthcare professionals to bridge the gap of inequality in healthcare.
Board
Avais Ahmed
Chair of the Board
Avais Ahmed is an experienced ecommerce business owner. His primary experience is Footwear and Fashion online. He has sold over 1 million pairs of shoes online and has gone as a founder and board member of several other ecommerce companies. He loves to read and learn and is passionate about giving back. He has been involved in the Islamic Society of Salt Lake in various positions including: Sunday School Teacher, Treasurer and Vice President. He was a co-founder in Oasis of Hope which gave scholarships to students who were from diverse backgrounds committed to community service.
Jawaria Khan
Board Member
Jawaria Khan is a practicing pediatrician in Salt Lake City who specializes in the care of hospitalized children. She is particularly interested in children’s’ health and the needs of families in the state of Utah. In addition to her clinical role as a pediatric hospitalist, she also serves on the executive board for the Utah Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics as their Secretary/Treasurer. She has lived and trained in Utah and throughout her education and career has been an active member of the community.
Shariq Khan
Board Member
Shariq Khan is a 20 year veteran of the banking industry who has served in various executive roles with several financial institutions such as American Investment Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Summit Financial Resources and currently is with First Utah Bank as a Vice President. He is one of the co-founders of Utah Muslim Network, a charity organization, and previously served as a board member of Utah Muslim Forum and Utah Islamic Center.
Omar Rauf
Board Member
Omar Rauf is an experienced eCommerce and digital marketing professional who currently works in nonprofit development. His current position is the Digital Philanthropy Manager at The Younique Foundation whose mission is to prevent childhood sexual abuse. He is an IT and Outreach volunteer for the Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake and has served as a teacher at Khadeeja Masjid Weekend school for over a decade. Omar also one of the assistant scout leaders one of Utah's first Boy Scout chapter serving Muslims and Refugees.
Omar was born and raised in Utah. He received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Economic from the University of Utah. He enjoys reading, sports and the great outdoors.
Harris Khan
Board Member
Experienced finance professional with extensive experience in the banking sector specifically to include commercial and corporate banking. Committed to personal development, stakeholder success, and overall integrity of commercial deals through the careful analysis of data, trends, and research. Demonstrated ability to adapt to change, meet critical deadlines, and contribute effectively through meaningful collaboration in a team environment. Proficiently evaluates corporate credit structures, performs financial analysis, completes commercial underwriting, and manages complex ad-hoc projects. He has been a part of the community in SLC for over 30 years. He has a passion for sports, exercising and giving back.
Asfend Yar Dogar
Board Member
Asfend is an experienced professional in the Banking Industry, relocating to Salt Lake City in 2017. Prior to SLC, Asfend was working at a global investment firm in his home-country of UK where he obtained a Bachelors and Masters in Economics from City University London.
Asfend was a Vice-Treasurer in the Islamic Society of City during his studies and professional career. He has continued those efforts in USA, volunteering for Utah Muslim Civic League and local charitable programs through his employment. Asfend is an avid sports fan and believes in giving back to the community by working together.
Charles Idrees Turner
Board Member
Charles M. Turner is an Instructor in the Department of Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University and a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Political Science at the University of Utah. His research interests include Muslim-American political participation and the intersections of race and religion in American politics. Prior to moving to Utah, Charles served as the Muslim Life Coordinator at the University of Richmond, a teacher at the al-Madinah School of Richmond, and the Youth Director at the Islamic Center of Virginia. Charles has recently returned to his home of Virginia to complete his dissertation research on Muslim-American engagement with the Democratic Party.
Our former fellows.
Shayma Salih
Civic Engagement Fellow
Abdikadir Eftin
Community Business Development Fellow
Khadija Kele
Racial Justice Fellow
Abed Almajeed Alsolaiman
Community Organizing Fellow
Emily Wright
Social Media & Communications Fellow
Sarah Kamran
Interfaith Fellow
Sahar Kanishka
Community Engagement Fellow
Ameena Ahmed
Project Rahma Program Intern
Sama Salah
Project Rahma Program Intern