Our Team

Maqsood Ahmed, an esteemed Islamic leader with four decades of dedication, brings extensive experience as an elected member of the Central Shura of the Islamic Circle of North America. His solid educational foundation, including a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA, and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore, Pakistan, complements his leadership role. 

Actively committed to social welfare and development projects, Maqsood focuses on humanitarian efforts, community development and educational initiatives. Proficient in nonprofit organizations, executive management, leadership, and public speaking, he plays a pivotal role as the CEO of ICNA Relief USA. For 30 years, Maqsood’s dedication has significantly contributed to advancing the organization’s mission, reflecting his commitment to humanitarian efforts within the Islamic framework. 

Abdul Rauf Khan holds a Master’s degree in Business Management. As the Chief Operations Officer, he excels in Executive Management of Nonprofit Organizations, Strategic Planning, Networking, and Public Speaking. Abdul Rauf’s contributions have earned personal recognition and prestigious awards for ICNA Relief, including the White House Community Service Award during the Obama Presidency and many others. 

His efforts helped ICNA Relief gain the status of the largest Muslim-run non-profit, working exclusively within the USA, His other successful endeavors include; empowering underprivileged Americans through social service programs, strengthening families with education, empowering the marginalized with skill development, enabling them to become self-sufficient, and fostering partnerships with Islamic Centers and governmental agencies. 

He is actively engaged in community services. He serves on boards for various national and local Islamic organizations, Islamic centers, and Muslim community service groups. Currently, a South Florida Muslim Federation Board member, he also holds leadership positions in the Islamic Center of Boca Raton, Young Muslims, Garden of Sahaba Academy, Youth Coalition of South Florida, ICNA South East Region, and is a National Shura member of ICNA. 

Altaj Ilyas brings a wealth of 35 years of experience in Finance and Accounting, with a significant portion of 25 years dedicated to the nonprofit sector. He currently holds the esteemed position of CFO – Chief Financial Officer and oversees the financial management of ICNA Relief. Moreover, he has pursued studies in CMA (Cost and Management Accounting) and Corporate Secretarial Practices. Additionally, he has demonstrated his commitment by serving as the Treasurer of NYDIS (New York Disaster Interfaith Services) for the past 18 years. 

Amir Saeed holds pivotal leadership positions as the Head of Information Technology, Marketing, Donor Management, and Volunteer Management departments. His academic background is distinguished by a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. With a keen focus on digital transformation, Amir has successfully streamlined responses from donors and volunteers. This achievement includes the seamless migration of reporting and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) operations to Salesforce, positioning ICNA Relief as a benchmark for efficiency and innovation in the industry. His expertise extends beyond managing 24/7 systems for financial institutions but also extends to leveraging cutting-edge technologies for steering complex, multimillion-dollar programs, contributing to cost reduction and enhanced efficiency. Amir’s efforts are dedicated to supporting operations, optimizing efficiencies, ensuring compliance, and driving initiatives for cost reduction.  

Hammad Shaheer’s dedication to community service is emblematic of his unique synthesis of academic rigor and practical wisdom. Holding an MPhil-Business Administration from NUML, MS Business Administration, and MS Accounting from Stony Brook University New York, with over 15 years of experience in the profit and non-profit sectors, he is a distinguished expert in strategic and financial management, human resources, and enterprise risk management. Trained by the renowned Ron Kaufman, he has cultivated extensive expertise in uplifting and building a service culture. His scholarly contributions to Corporate Social Responsibility reflect his commitment to ethical business practices. His leadership capabilities, coupled with his professional achievements, underscore his passion for community-centric programs. As Chief Administrative Officer at ICNA Relief, he is leveraging his comprehensive business acumen, organizational skills, and managerial prowess to steer the organization towards socially responsible objectives. He has a passion for social activism and is committed to uplifting communities. 

Imam Rafiq Mahdi, born as William E. Henderson II in Knoxville, Tennessee, underwent a profound transformation from his Christian upbringing to Islam at the age of 23. Imam Mahdi’s thirst for knowledge led him to The Islamic University of Madinah, where he earned a diploma in Arabic Language and Islamic Studies. Under the guidance of Sheik Abu Bakr Al-Jazairy, he immersed himself in the intricacies of tafseer at the Masjid of The Prophet Muhammad in Madinah. Imam Mahdi co-founded The Muslim Community of Knoxville Inc., assuming leadership roles as its first Imam and vice president. He served as Imam in various communities, including Miami, FL, FT. Lauderdale, FL, and Knoxville, TN. Currently, Imam Mahdi serves as the Director of Disaster Relief Services and Outreach for ICNA Relief USA, aligning with his belief in the organization’s mission as a true expression of Islam’s core values.