President: Hameed Zarabi

I have been actively involved with the Afghan Canadian Islamic Community ACIC since 2003, serving for 13 years as Director of Cultural Affairs and for a total of five years as President. As I seek another term as President of ACIC, I remain committed to building on our achievements, strengthening our institutional capacity, addressing the evolving needs and aspirations of future generations, and advancing our long-term plans for the expansion and development of our facilities.

I envision ACIC as more than a place of worship a vibrant, welcoming, and inclusive community institution where individuals and families of all generations and backgrounds feel valued, supported, connected, and truly belong.

I believe a strong community is built on unity, collaboration, active participation, and a shared sense of responsibility. If elected, it would be an honour to continue serving our community and working alongside fellow members, volunteers, and the Board to strengthen our institution, advance our shared vision, and build a more connected, resilient, and sustainable future for generations to come.

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Vice-President: Asef Akbari

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Cultural Affairs: Ali Basit Abdul Hashim

I have had the privilege of serving the Afghan Canadian Islamic Community ACIC as Director of Religious and Cultural Affairs, a role that has allowed me to contribute to our community's religious, cultural, and organizational development. Throughout my tenure, I have focused on building a structured, organized, and effective department capable of serving our growing community.

What began as a single role has developed into a team of dedicated individuals working together to deliver more than 100 programs and initiatives annually, engaging thousands of community members and stakeholders. My contributions have included organizing and coordinating major religious observances and community gatherings, strengthening religious and cultural programming, supporting educational initiatives, engaging youth and emerging community leaders, and improving departmental planning, coordination, and operations. I strongly believe that ACIC has an important responsibility to preserve our religious values, cultural heritage, and traditions while creating opportunities for future generations to connect with their identity and community.

I am particularly passionate about youth engagement, religious education, community participation, and fostering an environment where individuals and families of all generations feel welcomed and represented.

I am seeking reelection as Director of Religious and Cultural Affairs for 2027 because I believe in the work we have accomplished and, more importantly, in the potential for what we can accomplish together. I hope to build upon the foundation established, strengthen our existing programs, introduce new initiatives, and continue developing a department that operates with professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and a clear vision. My commitment to ACIC remains rooted in service, responsibility, and the belief that our community deserves strong leadership, meaningful programming, and a lasting legacy for generations to come.

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Secretary: Morteza Rasoul

I have been attending and volunteering at ACIC since childhood. I was previously an AYC executive and was AYC director from 2018-2022. Some of my other volunteer experience includes chairing the Naynawah conference since 2016. I completed my bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and have been working in the field for several years. I hope to continue to be of service to the community inshallah.

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  Education: Sadek Taheri 

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Youth Services (AYC): Sayed Mohammad Jawad Rezaee

I am a Mechanical Design Engineer, and much of my professional work revolves around designing automation systems. Outside of my career, one of my greatest commitments has been serving AYC, where I have been involved for nearly five years and had the honour of serving as Director in 2026. It has been a rewarding journey, and I am grateful to have been part of a team that delivered more than 70 programs in 2026.

Among our accomplishments were securing a contract with the City of Toronto for a gymnasium facility, organizing more than 15 sports programs, and launching AYC Juniors to help bridge the gap between Maktab and AYC and also younger youth within our community. We also hosted 33 workshops focused on providing youth with practical Islamic knowledge and guidance through the 27 speakers we invited in 2026. Our career fair brought together more than 30 professionals from different backgrounds, giving young people an opportunity to learn, connect, and envision their futures. While I am proud of these accomplishments, I believe our work must go beyond programs and events. I genuinely believe that an Islamic Centre should be a place where people find direction, build meaningful relationships, and feel supported throughout different stages of their lives. I view my role as one of service. I want to better understand the challenges our youth face and contribute to solutions that make a lasting difference.

I believe the youth team has an important responsibility in this regard and must be proactive in creating an environment where young people feel heard, connected, and guided. Alhamdulillah, I have established connections with speakers and other Islamic centres across the GTA, and I hope to use these relationships to bring meaningful opportunities to our community. More importantly, I want to help our youth build a strong connection with Allah, find purpose in their lives, and develop a deep-rooted Shia Islamic identity.

I look forward to collaborating and working alongside the elected board members to contribute to the betterment of our community as a whole, with a particular focus on addressing the needs, empowering the voices, and advancing the opportunities of our youth InshAllah.

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Youth Services (AYC): Alham Rizai

Alham Rizai is an educator, community advocate, and lifelong member of the Afghan Canada Islamic Centre ACIC, having been part of this community since before birth, as her parents were among the Centre's earliest members. Growing up connected to ACIC and being involved in volunteer work in the community from a young age has shaped her sense of belonging, responsibility, and commitment to preserving and strengthening the community for future generations.

Alham has been actively involved with the Afghan Youth Committee AYC for over six years, serving as Community Engagement Lead for the past three years, where she has supported initiatives focused on engaging, empowering, and uplifting youth. She has also been a dedicated volunteer at ACIC's Maktab since 2017, initially serving as an Islamic Studies teacher's assistant before transitioning into a teaching role, in which she has served for over six years. Through these experiences, she has developed a strong understanding of the importance of faith-based education, youth development, and creating meaningful opportunities for young people to connect with their community and Islamic identity. Professionally, Alham is an Ontario College of Teachers certified educator specializing in Kindergarten to Grade 6 education and French as a Second Language. She holds an Honours degree in Psychology from York University and a Master of Teaching from the University of Toronto.

As she seeks to serve as Director of Youth Services, Alham hopes to build on the foundation of those who came before her by strengthening youth engagement, fostering leadership, and creating an inclusive and supportive environment where young people feel heard, valued, and empowered to contribute. She envisions a community where youth are not only participants in its activities but active contributors to its growth, direction, and flourishing future. She believes that investing in our youth today is essential to building a stronger, more connected, and resilient ACIC for generations to come.

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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

Sayed Elyass Parweez has served on the ACIC Board since 2023 with the most recent role as Acting Director of Internal Communications and IT. During his time in the role, he has supported ACIC internal communications, digital presence, event promotion, and technology operations.

His responsibilities have included communicating important organizational updates to members, managing ACIC website and social media channels, and supporting the promotion of community programs and events. He has also overseen key areas of ACIC IT and media operations, including event videography and photography, live streaming, servers, computers, WiFi, network infrastructure, cameras, TVs, data management and backups, network security, cabling, and software support.

With hands on experience in the position and a strong understanding of ACIC communication and technology needs, Sayed Elyass is seeking to continue serving the community as Director of Internal Communications and IT.

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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: Sulaiman Mohammad Gul

 As a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and finance leader, I bring extensive expertise in corporate financial operations, rigorous budget governance, and scalable financial management. Throughout my career, I have specialized in strengthening internal controls, optimizing cash flow and cash management, ensuring strict regulatory compliance, and driving seamless ERP system implementations. Committed to fiscal transparency, operational efficiency, and long-term organizational sustainability, I look forward to applying my financial leadership to safeguard ACIC’s resources and advance its strategic goals.

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 Treasurer: Farhat Najem

My name is Farhat Najem, and I have been an active and dedicated member of the Afghan Canadian Islamic Community for more than 30 years. Throughout these decades of involvement, I have committed myself to serving our community with integrity, responsibility, and a deep sense of purpose.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the Faculty of Science at Kabul University, a foundation that has strengthened my analytical skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage numbers with accuracy qualities essential for a Treasury Head position.

Within the Afghan Canadian Islamic community, I have proudly served in multiple roles, including Logistics head and Treasury on the Board of Directors, where I contributed to community planning, financial stewardship, and operational coordination. Additionally, I have worked with the Afghan Canadian Islamic Community Saturday School, helping support educational programs for our youth.

Currently, I am self-employed, which has further developed my sense of accountability, financial management, and organizational discipline.

I am applying for the role of Treasury Head because I believe in giving back to a community that has shaped my life for over three decades. With my experience, education, and lifelong commitment to our community’s well-being, I am eager to continue serving with honesty, transparency, and dedication.