Safi Kaskas is an administrator in the managerial sciences with over 40 years of broad-based experience in strategic planning, leadership and business ethics with an emphasis on strategic management in the corporate and academic worlds.

He is a co-founder of East West University, Chicago, IL; and was elected as President of its Board of Directors from 1979 – 2005. He continues to serve on its board as an ex officio.

He is the Founder and President of Strategic Edge Management Consultants, Dr Kaskas helped many mid-level and large corporations successfully develop their business portfolios. His consultant firm focused on strategic development within the health care industry and founded the American Strategic Healthcare Management Company (ASHM) which is active in the healthcare field in Jeddah, Saudi Arabic.

In addition to his focus on strategic management science, Dr Kaskas has studied Abrahamic religions and lectured throughout the US and the Middle East on subjects related to Islam, interfaith and reconciliation between Evangelicals and American Muslims.

He is Senior Researcher in Islam and Multifaith Reconciliation with George Mason University, Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution.

Dr Kaskas translated and published the Qur’an into simple easy to understand English in January 2015 and published The Qur’an with references to the Bible in January2016. This book has 3000 references to the Old and the New Testaments.

The Italian translation to The Qur’an with references to the Bible was completed in April 2016 and was presented to his holiness Pope Francis 1 during the same month.

He just completed compiling the first Hadith book/collection of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings on “The Kindest of Manners”. The book will be published during this year.

Working on the translation of Jules La Beaume (1806-1876) Le Koran Analysé” translated to Arabic by Muḥammad Fuʾād ʿAbd al-Bāqī (1882-1968) (Edition : Le Caire , 1955) تفصيل آيات القرآن الحكيم

Dr Kaskas is a member of the board of the Vatican Foundation International Center Family of Nazareth.

Email: safikaskas@gmail.com
Website: www.kaskas.com

Sofana is an accomplished lawyer and social entrepreneur. She holds the prized distinction of being one of the first three female lawyers granted the permission to practice law in Saudi Arabia. Dahlan has served as a legal consultant in different parts of the Arab world including Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Kuwait.

Most recently, Dahlan was the Vice Governor for Entrepreneurship Advancement at the Small and Medium Enterprises Authority of Saudi Arabia from 2016 to 2017, making her the first woman Saudi senior economic policy-maker. She is the founder of Tashkeil, a Saudi based social enterprise that incubates, accelerates and promotes entrepreneurs and the Saudi National Creative Initiative (SNCI). She is a member of the board of directors of Khadija Bint Khuwailid Centre – a businesswomen’s lobbying center at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

She holds a degree in Islamic Law from Cairo University, an MBA from the American University of Technology, and an executive degree in Global Leadership & Public Policy from Harvard University. She has received numerous awards and accolades, including the honor of being the first Saudi chosen to serve as a fellow of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations in 2011, the 2014 “Most Innovative Woman Entrepreneur” WIL Achievement Award, and the 2015 Silver Stevies Award “Female Entrepreneur of the Year (in MENA and Europe)”. She was also recognized as “Female Entrepreneur of the Year” by Arab Women Awards.

Dr. Tariq Mustafa (born 1934) is a Pakistani mechanical engineer with a first class honors degree from London University specializing in nuclear and space technology. He led the establishment of Pakistan’s Space and Rocket Technology Program and subsequently, served in high ranking positions in the Government of Pakistan as Federal Secretary of the Ministries of Defense Production, Science and Technology, Public Sector Industry, Petroleum and Natural Resources and Privatization.

He is the founder and current Chairperson of Pakistan’s National Paralympics Committee (PNPC), President of the South Asian Paralympics Committee and the Vice President of the Asian Paralympic Committee. His lifelong interests are reason, revelation and the future of humanity. He has been active in discourse about science and religion and is the author of The Case for God – Based on Reason and Evidence, not Groundless Faith. In September 2015, he has been appointed as a member of the Governing Council of the Institute for Religion in the Age of Science (IRAS).

Muhammad S. Eissa is an author and lecturer of Arabic at the University of Chicago, and prior to that was the Mellon Lecturer at the University of Michigan.

Eissa holds a bachelors, masters and a Ph.D. all from Al-Azhar University in Egypt. He also holds a C.Phil. degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. Eissa has been a professor of Arabic at American University in Cairo, Illinois Institute of Technology, Northwestern University and Brigham Young University. He is the consulting editor for the Middle Eastern Texts Initiative. Eissa is a Muslim. He serves as an educational advisor to the Islamic Schools League of America.

Eissa wrote along with James A. Toronto the article on textbooks in Egypt in Teaching Islam: Textbooks and Religion in the Middle East.

Eissa is currently a visiting professor at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY.

Safi Kaskas is an administrator in the managerial sciences with over 40 years of broad-based experience in strategic planning, leadership and business ethics with an emphasis on strategic management in the corporate and academic worlds.

He is a co-founder of East West University, Chicago, IL and was elected as President of its Board of Directors from 1979 – 2005. He continues to serve on its board as an ex officio.

He is the Founder and President of Strategic Edge Management Consultants, Dr Kaskas helped many mid-level and large corporations successfully develop their business portfolios. His consultant firm focused on strategic development within the health care industry and founded the American Strategic Healthcare Management Company (ASHM) which is active in the healthcare field in Jeddah, Saudi Arabic.

In addition to his focus on strategic management science, Dr Kaskas has studied Abrahamic religions and lectured throughout the US and the Middle East on subjects related to Islam, interfaith and reconciliation between Evangelicals and American Muslims.

He is Senior Researcher in Islam and Multifaith Reconciliation with George Mason University, Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution.

Dr Kaskas translated and published the Qur’an into simple easy to understand English in January 2015 and published The Qur’an with references to the Bible in January 2016. This book has 3000 references to the Old and the New Testaments.

The Italian translation to The Qur’an with references to the Bible was completed in April 2016 and was presented to his holiness Pope Francis 1 during the same month.

He just completed compiling the first Hadith book/collection of Prophet Muhammad’s sayings on “The Kindest of Manners”. The book will be published during this year.

Working on the translation of Jules La Beaume (1806-1876) Le Koran Analysé” translated to Arabic by Muḥammad Fuʾād ʿAbd al-Bāqī (1882-1968) (Edition : Le Caire , 1955) تفصيل آيات القرآن الحكيم

Dr Kaskas is a member of the board of the Vatican Foundation International Center Family of Nazareth.

Email: safikaskas@gmail.com
Website: www.kaskas.com

B.A (Hons), M.Phil,
Vice President, International Qur’an Research Association (IQRA’).

Nahid’s extensive career, spanning practitioner roles, management positions, and leadership across the private, voluntary, and statutory sectors, enriches her role in advancing IQRA’s mission.

As a practitioner, Nahid directly engaged with individuals and communities in the private sector, honing her skills and deepening her understanding of community challenges.

Progressing to management roles in both voluntary and statutory sectors, she has demonstrable commitment to excellence and holistic community and individual well-being.

Her pivotal role as Assistant Director of Student Services at the University of Birmingham marked a significant transition. Here, she led the university’s strategy for student mental health and well-being, overseeing teams delivering essential services. Her dedication to holistic student development and well-being made a significant impact, creating a solid foundation for her subsequent leadership roles. Her tenure also included overseeing the Multi Faith Chaplaincy, deepening her understanding of the intersection of faith, community, and personal development.

As Director of Strategy and Partnerships at the Association of British Muslims (AoBM), Nahid advocates for underrepresented communities, women’s empowerment, and holistic community growth. Her unwavering dedication reflects her extensive career experiences.

In her current position at IQRA’, Nahid’s leadership champions inclusivity, multidisciplinary research, and diverse perspectives in Qur’anic research, aligning with IQRA’s mission to promote a contemporary understanding of the Qur’an.

Nahid Saiyed’s journey, marked by her diverse roles across sectors, uniquely equips her to guide IQRA’ toward its vision. Her commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and excellence reflects her ability to drive positive change in dynamic and multifaceted settings. Her career experiences collectively enrich her expertise in shaping a contemporary understanding of the Qur’an.

Executive Committee Member, IQRA’

Mohammed is a versatile individual dedicated to making a profound impact on individuals and communities.
As an educator and coach, he specializes in meditation, mindfulness, and yoga, guiding countless individuals toward inner peace and well-being. His expertise in Mind Mapping and study skills coaching has empowered university students, including a former President of The Oxford Union.
Beyond education and wellness, Mohammed is a passionate advocate for peace building and conflict resolution through sports, having served as the Director of Peace Building for Football for Peace Global. His work has earned the respect of world leaders and royalty, facilitating dialogue and progress in once-tense regions.
He champions free speech initiatives, encouraging open and candid conversations, aiming to foster a more inclusive and open-minded society.
An avid reader and scholar of philosophy and war strategies, Mohammed has authored a translation of Sun Tzu’s “Art of War” and is a sought-after speaker on the topic.
Mohammed is a transformative force dedicated to positive change. His work in education, wellness, peace building, and free speech initiatives reflects his unwavering commitment to creating a more harmonious and inclusive world.

Executive Committee Member, IQRA’

Gregory Waleed Kavalec, affectionately known as Greg, is a seasoned computer systems
professional with over three decades of experience in system administration,
management, programming, analysis, database architecture, and internet integration.

Professional Experience Gregory dedicated a significant portion of his career to Baca,
Stein, White and Associates, leading a team of programmers and system specialists. He
streamlined processes for online state tax filing, reducing staffing requirements and
enhancing revenue. At National Convenience Stores, as Manager of Tech Systems, he
revolutionized marketing insights through innovative mainframe software gathering
sales information from over 200 Point of Sale cash registers.

Volunteer Work and Advocacy Beyond the corporate realm, Gregory served as a
volunteer Muslim Chaplain in the Texas prison system, providing essential spiritual
guidance and support to incarcerated individuals.

Leadership at Millati Islami World Services Gregory holds the position of Media Director
on the board of Millati Islami World Services, where he amplifies the organization’s
reach and impact through strategic media oversight.

Founder of IslamAwakened Gregory founded IslamAwakened, a platform dedicated to
the revealed word of our Creator: The Qur’an. He meticulously curated translations from
esteemed authors, providing readers with a rich collection of translations and resources.
Education and Skills Gregory holds degrees from Case Western Reserve University and
the Ohio Institute of Technology. He possesses a diverse skill set, including proficiency
in various database management systems and programming languages.

Contributions to IQRA’ Vision and Mission Group As a dedicated Executive Committee
member at IQRA’, Gregory brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted
commitment, aiming to drive the group toward achieving its short-term and long-term
goals.

Looking Forward Gregory actively collaborates with a network of professionals to ensure
the sustained success and progression of IslamAwakened. He is deeply committed to
securing the organization’s future through a collaborative group approach.

Executive Committee Member, IQRA’

Dr Musa holds a Ph.D. in Arabic and Islamic studies from the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at Harvard University. Her research and teaching interests include Hadith and Sunna, translation of classical Arabic texts, Qur’anic interpretation, women’s issues, Islamic Law, and modern-day reformist and neo-traditionalist movements.
Dr Musa’s publications include Hadith as Scripture: Discussions on the Authority of Prophetic Traditions in Islam (Palgrave, 2008); “And Muhammad is His Messenger: The Role of Sunna and Hadith in the Formation of Islamic Identity,” in Non Sola Scriptura: Essays on the Qur’an and Islam in Honor of William Graham. Edited by Bruce Fudge et al. New York: Routeledge, 2022, 248-257; “The Sunnification of Hadith and the Hadithification of Sunna,” in The Sunna and its Status in Islamic Law: The Search for a Sound Hadith. Edited by Adis Duderija.( New York: Palgrave-MacMillian, 2015) 75-95; “Hadith Studies” in The Bloomsbury Companion to Islamic Studies (Continuum, 2013); “The Relationship of al-ma‘qùl and al-manqùl in Mullā Khusraw’s Conceptualization of Sunna” in the Proceedings of International Symposium on Mullā Khusraw (Bursa, Turkey, 2013), “Jizya: Toward a more Qur’anically based Understanding of an Historically Problematic Term,” in Transcendent Thought  (November, 2011), Al-Mostafa Center for Islamic Research, Manila, Philippines.

Executive Committee Member, IQRA’

A Journalist, Youth advocate, and Human Rights activist. Zain is graduated in the field of Mass Communication from Government College University Faisalabad and now pursuing his Master of Philosophy in International Relations from Minhaj University Lahore. He represented Pakistan at The Kathmandu Dialogue, an International Summer School organized by The Kathmandu School of Law in 2019. Zain was shortlisted to represent Pakistan at an International Youth Festival in 2020 organized by the University of Greifswald, Germany. He also obtained a certificate in International Peace & Security in 2021 from the Center for International Peace & Security (CIPS) – National University of Science & Technology, Islamabad. He is serving as the Information Secretary and Spokesperson for the National Youth Alliance of Pakistan. Zain is the Public Relations Officer of the Core Middle East News Organization and also serving as the Public Relations Director of the Global Peace Summit. He served as an Associate Producer for Investigative Journalism at Pakistan Television Corporation Limited (PTV). He served as a Zonal Rotaract Representative of the Rotary International District 3272 for Rotary Year 2021-22. Zain has expertise in enhancing movements and creating propaganda and a wide experience in organizing conferences, public gatherings, seminars, and workshops.

Executive Committee Member, IQRA’

Nezamul Hasan is a passionate advocate working at the intersection of Information Technology, Journalism, Human Rights, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Displaced Persons, and InterFaith. He is a specialist in Awqaf, which are Islamic trusts created for charitable or religious purposes. Mr Hasan has dedicated his life to positively impacting marginalised communities. He is also an expert on Rohingya issues and founder of Rohingya Khobor, Waqfuna, and GIAD UK.

Hailing from a diverse background, Mr Hasan has experienced firsthand the challenges faced by marginalised communities. He has used his experiences to inform his work and has become a voice for those who are often ignored. His dedication to improving the lives of those in need is truly inspiring, and his work has made a significant difference in many people’s lives.