ABOUT SFBA
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OUR VISION
To be a leading advocate for Justice & Mutual Understanding.
OUR MISSION
To enhance understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CAIR at a glance
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. CAIR is America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, with regional offices nationwide and in Canada. The national headquarters is located on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.
San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA) Staff
Zahra Billoo 
| Executive Director
As the Executive Director for the CAIR San Francisco Bay Area (CAIR-SFBA) chapter, Zahra Billoo strives to promote justice and understanding at local and national levels. In 2009, Zahra joined CAIR-SFBA and immediately embraced her roles as community organizer and civil rights advocate. She frequently provides trainings at local mosques and universities as part of CAIR’s efforts to empower the community, while building bridges with allies on key civil rights issues. Zahra also represents victims of discrimination and advocates for positive policy changes that uphold civil rights for all. In March 2011, at her direction, CAIR-SFBA filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice challenging their warrantless use of GPS tracking devices to target American Muslims. Her work with CAIR-SFBA has been highlighted in local and national media outlets including KTVU, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, the Christian Science Monitor, and NPR. Most notably, she made waves when she appeared on FOX News’ O'Reilly Factor in Fall 2010 to discuss invasive TSA practices. A 2010 recipient of the San Francisco Minority Bar Coalition's Unity Award and a 2011 recipient of the South Asian Bar Association of Northern California's Public Interest Attorney of the Year Award, Zahra has been a devoted labor rights advocate for several years. While in college, she worked with the California Faculty Association on issues including faculty salaries and the defunding of public higher education. While in law school, Zahra was awarded the Peggy Browning Fund Fellowship to work with the National Employment Law Project. Zahra graduated Cum Laude from California State University, Long Beach with degrees in Human Resources Management and Political Science. She earned her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law, and was admitted to the California Bar in 2009.
Amina Abid | Operations Coordinator
While Amina's academics focused on the design of civil structures, her passion lies in protecting the civil liberties of her fellow American Muslims. After completing her Bachelor of Science in Structural Engineering from the University of California, San Diego Amina worked with the Bay Area Muslim Community in various capacities as an Events and Programs Coordinator. While employed at the Muslim Community Association, Bay Area as their Youth Coordinator, Amina was also the Assistant Director for the Muslim American Society – Youth Division. She has volunteered with many other organizations including Islamic Relief, MSA West, MAS, local MSA’s, and masjids. Amina joined CAIR-SFBA as the Operations Coordinator in March 2011.
Sameena Usman | Government Relations Consultant
Sameena graduated Magna Cum Laude from San Jose State University with a BA in Political Science and minors in Middle Eastern Studies and Communications. After graduating, Sameena started working as a Field Representative for Assemblywoman Sally Lieber's office. She left her Sales Administration position with Pivotal Corp to work for CAIR-SFBA as a Public Relations Coordinator. She currently serves as a Government Relations Consultant for CAIR-SFBA. Sameena is a mother of two children.
Rachel Roberts | Civil Rights Coordinator
Rachel Roberts graduated from the UCLA School of Law in 2011 with a specialization in Public Interest Law and Policy. She served as a law clerk for a year in CAIR's LA office, where she developed a keen and dedicated interest in working on civil rights issues affecting the American Muslim community. During law school she participated in UCLA's Immigration Law Clinic where she represented an applicant for asylum. She also served as the Co-editor in Chief of the UCLA Journal of Islamic and Near Eastern Law and oversaw production of the journal's symposium issue on the criminalization of Islamic philanthropy. Rachel has been deeply involved with activism for Palestinian rights since 2003. She has served as a media coordinator for the International Solidarity Movement and has worked with the Youth Leadership Institute of Jewish Voice for Peace, Young, Jewish and Proud. She holds an MA in Biblical Studies and Ancient Semitic Language from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and a BA from Oberlin College.
Anas Daghmoumi | Programs & Outreach Coordinator
Anas Daghmoumi joined CAIR-SFBA as Programs and Outreach Coordinator in September of 2012. He is committed to promoting an accurate understanding of Islam and fostering dialogue among different groups in American society. He came to CAIR with experience in philanthropy and the private sector. Anas is a graduate of Minnesota State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in International Studies and Political Science with an emphasis on diplomacy. He is also a graduate of California State University, San Bernardino, with a Master of Arts in National Security Studies.
CAIR-SFBA Law Clerks & Internsback to top
| Law Clerk
CAIR-SFBA Executive Committeeback to top
Safaa Ibrahim | President
Safaa Ibrahim is a social and civic non-profit professional dedicated full-time to the San Francisco Bay Area Community. She holds a B.S. in International Business and her professional experience include internet and software project management, operations, marketing, and she has contributed to the establishment of two small business start-ups. Since, 2004, she has been active with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim Community Association (MCA), GiveLight Foundation, The Family Network, Inc, and Averroes Institute. Safaa was appointed Executive Director of CAIR-SFBA in July 2005 and currently serves as president of the CAIR-SFBA executive committee and as a member of the CAIR-CA board of directors. Her activism portfolio includes numerous media interviews and press conferences, advocacy with federal, state, and local public officials, and has spoken at various universities and community forums across the Bay Area on topics that enhance understanding of Islam and issues relating to American-Muslim civil rights in a post 9/11 America. Safaa’s efforts are inspired by the belief that “rights and freedoms can be preserved through unity and community empowerment”.
Athar Siddiqee | Vice-President
Athar remembers when the Muslim community in the Bay Area was quite small, having moved here in 1967, along with his family. During this time, Athar has come to very much appreciate what makes this country great and cherishes its traditions of openness, freedom, and inclusivity. Professionally, Athar has worked in the field of Compensation for 15 years. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics/Economics from UCLA and an MBA in Marketing from Santa Clara University.
Donna Shaikh | Secretary
Donna is a native of the Bay Area, born in San Jose, California. She has a great interest in Civil Rights and in helping those less fortunate than herself. She joined the CAIR Executive Committee in February 2009. Donna graduated from California State University East Bay with a B.A. in Liberal Studies, and earned a Teaching Credential at San Jose State University. Donna taught and was Principal at the Peace Terrace Academy in Fremond, for several years. As such she was involved in curriculum development, event planning and meeting management. She taught pre-K and developed curriculum for pre-schoolers at the Islamic Sunday School in Colorado Springs. Donna is currently the volunteer coordinator for the North American Islamic Shelter for the Abused (NISA). She previously served on the committee of Christians and Muslims in Partnership for Peace.
Ahmed Shah | Executive Committee Member
Arefa Vohra | Executive Committee Member
Aliah Abdo | Executive Committee Member
Maleeha Haq | Executive Committee Member
CAIR-California Boardback to top
Masoud Nassimi | Chair
Masoud Nassimi attended Purdue University where he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Civil Engineering. He has been working for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) since July 1988. Mr. Nassimi also has been a part-time Algebra instructor at Los Angeles Valley College since 1991. He is the author of a college textbook and co-author of "How to perform Hajj (Step by Step)" with Dr. Ahmed Sakr. Mr. Nassimi is the Chairman of the Board of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-California overseeing four of its chapters - Bay Area, Sacramento, Greater Los Angeles Area and San Diego. He is also the founder of Afghan American Muslim Outreach (AAMO). He is married with three children.
Wazhma Mojaddidi, Esq. | Vice President
Safaa Ibrahim | Treasurer
Safaa Ibrahim holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business from Strayer University. Her professional experience includes internet and software project management, operations, marketing, and she has contributed to the establishment of two small business start-ups. In the past five years, Ms. Ibrahim has shifted her career path by dedicating herself to nonprofit endeavors by volunteering full-time to the San Francisco Bay Area community. She has been active with the Council on American-Islamic Relations, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (CAIR-SFBA), the Muslim Community Association (MCA), and GiveLight Foundation. Ms. Ibrahim was appointed Executive Director of CAIR-SFBA in July 2005 and currently serves on the executive committee for the chapter.
Hussam Ayloush | Member
Hussam Ayloush is the Executive Director and has been since 1998. He frequently lectures on Islam, media relations, civil rights, hate crimes and international affairs pertaining to American Muslims. He has consistently appeared in local, national, and international media advocating and articulating the mainstream Muslim position on various issues.
Dr. Hamza El Nakhal | Member
Dr. Hamza El-Nakhal is a retired professor. He was born in Cairo, Egypt. His B.S. (1964) and M.S. (1965) degrees were in Food Science and Technology from University Of Ein Shams In Cairo. His Ph. D. degree is in Microbiology from UCD 1976. He worked in the US, Saudi Arabia and Egypt at different times. He is married with two daughters, one son and one grand son. As a student in Davis, Hamza served as president of International club, Orientation club. He, also, was a member of the international student advisory committee to the Late Chancellor James Mayer and member of Club Finance Council of ASUCD. As a university professor, beside teaching and research, he served as head of Dept. and chaired many committees including Budget, Laboratories, Scientific research, curriculum, admission and registration and many others. Hamza has many published one book in Microbiology, many scientific papers and educational papers. After retirement, Hamza served in many non-profit organizations including Human, Civil Rights, Charity, Interfaith and Community service. Currently Serving as: member of Community Advisory Board to Davis Police Dept., member of the Board of Directors of International House and member of the Board of Directors of Davis Community Meals.
Sameena Usman | Member
Noha Salem | Member
Dr. Ashraf Ibrahim | Member
Dr. Ibrahim is a Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and is based in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He received his B. Sc. from Kuwait University, Kuwait with honors. He then attended Post graduate school at Loughborough University of Technology, UK where he obtained a Ph.D. degree in Microbial Physiology. Dr. Ibrahim completed his Post doctoral training in Infectious Diseases at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Ibrahim’s research focuses on studying mechanisms of fungal and bacterial infections to translate this knowledge into novel therapeutic interventions. Dr. Ibrahim has pioneered the use of iron chelation therapy for treating the lethal infection, mucormycosis. Dr. Ibrahim has also been a leading figure, among others, in developing a vaccine that targets the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and the fungus Candida, which are the second and third most common causes of bloodstream infections. He co-founded NovaDigm Therapeutics, Inc., a biotechnology company, to translate the vaccine from the bench to the bedside. Dr. Ibrahim also co-founded Spectral Platforms, a biotechnology company focusing on developing rapid diagnostic techniques and determining of fast drug susceptibility tests for nosocomial and community acquired infections. Dr. Ibrahim is an NIH funded investigators who coauthored more than 100 peer-reviewed research papers, book chapters and review articles and serves as an Ad Hoc reviewer of numerous peer-reviewed Journals as well as a temporary reviewer of the NIH study sections.
Asem Abusir | Member
Asem Abusir is an Independent IT consultant and a member of technology savvy executive leadership team. Asem was CEO/Founder of Texum Technology until recently acquired by another company. He Started his career 1987 with Quotron Systems (Citibank Subsidiary) managing a network that provides ticker line to brokers nationwide before the Internet. Asem has Bachelors of Science in Technical Management with Electrical Engineering education from California State University, Long Beach. Recently earned the MBA degree in Project Management. He was on the JSF Unix Network team with Northrop Grumman when they were awarded the project. He held many positions with HP and IBM providing Network services and security. Asem is married with five children living in Southern California for the last thirty years.
Ziad Asghar | Member
Ziad Asghar serves on the Executive Committee of CAIR-SD. He is also on the board of Iqraa Academy of San Diego, a non-profit academic institution focused on Arabic and Quranic learning. Ziad works on wireless product & technology strategy in the semiconductor industry. He holds a Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from Purdue University and a Masters of Business Administration degree from University of California, San Diego.
Rashid Ahmad | Advisor
Rashid Ahmad is an alumnus of UC Davis, a civil-geotechnical engineer, and Chief of Facilities Enlargement at the California Department of Water Resources. He also serves on Sacramento County District Attorney's Multi Cultural Council and Shifa Community Clinic Community Board.
Proven Results. Our Annual Reportback to top
2011/2012 Annual Report
Download the 2011/2012 Annual Report in .PDF format
Our annual report is an opportunity to share our advancements in our grassroots advocacy work with the broader community. As with prior years, this year was full of exciting and proud moments for CAIR and the California Muslim community.
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