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 President: Hameed Zarabi
I first joined ACIC in 2000 as a Qur’an teacher, and soon after supported youth in establishing a platform for the younger generation to organize programs and activities tailored to their needs.
In 2003, I was elected to the ACIC Board of Directors as Director of Cultural Affairs, where I led the community’s cultural and religious programs and activities for 13 consecutive years until 2015. After a short break, I returned to serve as President from 2018 to 2020, and in 2025 I was re-elected to the role.
The ACIC’s inspiring role in shaping lives has been the driving force behind my dedication to its mission and values, as well as my continued involvement in the community.
It would be a great honor and blessing to continue serving ACIC as President into 2026, building upon and advancing unity, friendship, cooperation, and cultural enrichment while ensuring that all initiatives remain aligned with our vision and mission.
If re‑elected, my focus will be to lead a comprehensive review of our community’s needs and, through the collective effort of our dedicated team and with the support and consultation of community members, introduce new initiatives that address future challenges and opportunities.
Together, we will ensure that ACIC remains responsive, sustainable, and forward‑looking, continuing to inspire and enrich the lives of all who are part of our community.
May Allah (SWT) guide, help, and support us in this noble effort.
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 Vice-President: Asef Akbari
I express my interest in continuing to serve as Vice President of the Afghan Canadian Islamic Community. For the past two years, I have had the honour of fulfilling this role, during which I have worked diligently to support the organization’s governance, development initiatives, and community programs.
As a professional engineer with extensive experience managing complex construction projects, I bring strong leadership, organizational discipline, and strategic planning abilities. Combined with my dedication as a Shia Muslim and my long-standing commitment to community service, I am confident that I can continue contributing effectively to the growth and stability of our organization.
It would be a privilege to continue serving the community in this capacity. Thank you for your consideration.
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 Cultural Affairs: Ali Basit Abdul Hashim
Ali Basit Abdul Hashim is a committed and forward-thinking community leader who has transformed ACIC’s Religious and Cultural Affairs Department into one of the center’s most active, innovative, and community-focused divisions. Beginning his role by redefining the role most famously known for it's MC position into a full department headship, Ali Basit has consistently expanded programs, modernized operations, and elevated the spiritual and cultural experience for all ACIC members.
2024: Structure, Systems, and Engagement
In 2024, Ali Basit built a cohesive team, hosted all Wiladat and Shahadat programs for the 14 Masumeen (as) and Bibi Zainab (sa), and managed biweekly Fateha programs. He modernized Fateha submissions through a single form, enhanced communication, and expanded Friday nights to include poetry, manqabat, duas, youth speakers, and interactive quizzes.
He launched Studio Day to discover local talent, held biweekly online jurisprudence classes, and organized ACIC’s first split-timing Eid prayers, reducing costs and improving efficiency. Cultural pride increased through improved posters, Afghan elements, and stronger social media outreach.
2025: Cultural Revival and Major Reforms
In 2025, he reintroduced the Poetry Program, held a Will Workshop, and delivered a complete restructuring of Muharram programming. Instead of the crowded walk-up system, he implemented auditions with qualified judges, ranking and scheduling reciters—creating unprecedented order, fairness, and quality.
He also introduced the sale of traditional black Afghan clothing for men during Muharram, helping attendees dress respectfully while promoting Afghan cultural identity. These efforts marked major progress in elevating ACIC’s religious and cultural standards.
Community Growth and Collaboration
Ali Basit prioritized inclusivity by involving talented members, collaborating with Youth, Women’s Affairs, Logistics, and IT & Communications, contributing to the bylaw committee, and reinstating the suggestion box. He strengthened engagement through raffles, festive treats, improved posters, and coordinated logistics.
Vision for 2026
Entering 2026, Ali Basit aims to expand youth participation, enhance marriage and family programs, introduce community trips, and continue raising ACIC’s event quality. With two years of impactful leadership, Ali Basit Abdul Hashim remains committed to serving ACIC with integrity, creativity, and dedication.
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 Secretary: Mujtaba Sarwary
Having been a dedicated member of the community since 1998, I have been actively involved in various initiatives and projects that aim to enhance our collective well-being.
In my professional career, I currently serve as a Senior Manager at Desjardins Financial Group. For the past two years, I have also held the position of Secretary of ACIC, where I aim to use my skills to better serve the community and ensure a successful 2026 term. I look forward to achieving more goals for the organization in the coming years.
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 Education: Towfiq Sakhi
Alhamdulillah, ACIC has been a part of most of my life since I was younger and my parents brought me to programs. Later, growing spiritually through listening to Lecturers and attending Maktab classes, the community was fundamental in shaping me to the person I am today and I want to continue to give back by now contributing to the education that our next generation receives with the help of the previous director of Education, Agha Taheri. I am interested in getting to learn how the education is structured and to be able to provide my own expertise in Education from my years in the Islamic Seminary. I am currently a teacher and Imam Salah at Maktab and was the IT lead in 2022 and 2023.
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 Youth Services (AYC): Sayed Mohammad Jawad Rezaee
My name is Sayed Jawad Rezaee, and I am a full-time Mechanical Design Engineer, volunteer, and youth tutor with a deep passion for serving Ahlulbayt (a.s.) and helping our community grow. For a total of 3 years, I have served on the AYC team as a Lead under the leadership of Sr. Sanam and Br. Morteza, working closely with youth and elders, offering guidance, support, and a listening ear to those who reach out with their challenges.
If I am elected, even though the title may be “Youth Director,” I will not see myself as a director. Instead, I will continue to be a friend, a colleague, a mentor, and above all, a servant to our youth — someone who stands with them, understands their struggles, and supports their journey.
My vision is to serve Allah and uplift the community, and my goal is simple:
to give our youth what they truly deserve — support, understanding, opportunities, and a safe space to grow into confident, capable leaders of tomorrow.
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 Director of Logistics: Wase Shahsamand
My name is Haji Abdul Wase Shahsamand. Having been a dedicated member of ACIC for over 30 years and an active participant in every Friday program, I truly consider this community my second home. As a loving follower of the Ahlulbayt, it has always been my honour to serve our Jamea with sincerity, dedication, and respect. Since arriving in Toronto, I have been deeply grateful for the privilege of contributing to ACIC in many capacities, including my recent service on the Board of Directors as the Director of Logistics.
Throughout my time at ACIC, I have built strong relationships with our members and developed a clear understanding of the evolving needs of our community. I have consistently demonstrated strong communication, teamwork, and leadership while overseeing a wide range of responsibilities. These include organizing volunteers, managing catering for major events such as Muharram, Ramadan, and Eid, and supporting families during funeral Majalis’. I approach each responsibility with professionalism, compassion, and a genuine commitment to supporting our community and our faith.
My long-standing involvement, experience, and dedication have allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the growth and smooth operation of ACIC. With gratitude and deep respect, I hope to be given the opportunity to continue serving our community for the coming year, InshAllah.
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 Internal Communication & IT: Sayed Elyass Parweez
My name is Sayed Elyass Parweez, and I have proudly served the community since 2002 and the ACIC Board since 2023. Since taking on the role of Acting Director of Internal Communications & IT in 2024, I have worked closely with my team to strengthen ACIC’s communication systems, manage our website and social media, and provide videography, photography, and live streaming for major events. Together, we have enhanced ACIC’s IT infrastructure by maintaining networks, equipment, security, and data systems. I also coordinate with my team to arrange security and police support for major events and manage essential rental equipment such as tents. Through these collective efforts, we continue to improve ACIC’s operations and better serve our community.
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 Women Affairs: Zohra Arieb
I have dedicated the past 36 years to being an active member of this community, during which I have gained extensive experience and insight. Currently, I hold the position of a teacher, where I strive to inspire and educate my students. In addition to my teaching role, I have been involved in women's affairs at ACIC for many years, advocating for the empowerment and advancement of women within our community. I am passionate about making a positive impact and am eager to leverage my skills and experience to contribute to the continued success of ACIC. My commitment to this organization reflects my deep belief in its mission and my desire to support its growth and development.
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 Finance: Nemat Maysam
My name is Nemat Maysam, and I am an experienced management and technology professional with a strong background in organizational leadership, operational oversight, and digital transformation. Currently, I serve as the General Manager of a private corporation in Toronto, where I lead strategic planning, financial oversight, and overall operational performance. My leadership approach focuses on collaboration, accountability, and building efficient systems that support sustainable growth.
With many years of experience as an IT Specialist and Manager, I have developed and supervised complex infrastructures, including data centers, network environments, and enterprise systems. This technical foundation has strengthened my ability to evaluate financial processes, analyze organizational needs, and introduce modern solutions that improve accuracy, transparency, and long-term efficiency.
Previously, I held multiple leadership roles within the Afghan Canadian Islamic Community (ACIC), including Internal Communications and IT Director and later Vice President. During this time, I worked to enhance the organization’s communication systems, modernize its digital environment, and strengthen community engagement. These roles allowed me to blend strategic decision-making with a commitment to service and accountability.
As a Finance Board of Director, I aim to bring a balanced combination of management experience, technical insight, and community-focused leadership. My primary goal is to support the modernization of the finance department by introducing more digital, efficient, and user friendly systems for members, contractors, and vendors. I am dedicated to ensuring financial transparency, strengthening internal processes, and helping ACIC operate with greater reliability and future readiness
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