MEET THE BOARD OF 2016-2017
A small bio of each board member on the 2016-2017 committee
President - Mina Shahinfar
Hi, I'm Mina, and I am a current high school senior at Columbus School for Girls in Bexley, Ohio. I have been part of the Ahlul-Bayt Society of Columbus for as long as I can remember and have participated in ASA since it was created. These past two years, I have helped plan events and managed finances as treasurer. ASA has given me opportunities to learn how to fundraise effectively, communicate as a team, discuss religion and contemporary issues, and establish friendships that have changed my life for the greatest. As an Iranian-American Muslim, growing up hasn't been easy as I try to figure out who I am and what I value. Without the unconditional support from my family and friends I have made, I don't know where I would be. Aside from ASA, I am a member of the field hockey and lacrosse teams, Political Club, and literary magazine. I also serve as editor-in-chief of my school newspaper. I have worked for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, and I recently have gotten involved in several global organizations as an ambassador to the FeMINIsts campaign, and as Head Officer of Resource Creation and Journalism Team Member of Redefy, a teen initiative committed to defying stereotypes and promoting understanding. Additional things that make me smile include: writing, piano, empty notebooks, aesthetic, Harry Potter, Graeter's ice cream, deep conversations, women's rights, and social justice. Looking forward to a great year!
Media and Communications Manager - Muhammad Shao
Hi my name is Muhammad Mujtaba Shao. I usually go by Mujtaba since there is a million Muhammad-s; 150 million to be exact. I am currently attending The Ohio State University majoring in Mechanical Engineering (GO BUCKS!). I was on the founding committee of Ahlulbayt Student Association and have been through thick and thin with this organization. I was there back when we struggled to get an average audience of 10 kids all the way to our 2016 Banquet when we had an attendance of 100+ people. I have learned a great deal from my experience such as scheduling, organizational skills and event planning. My goal has always been to give back to the world and its people. I believe that is the one true way to feel quenched. It gives me a great sense of accomplishment and pride to have founded and been part of an organization which has affected so many lives for the better and continues to do so. Aside from ASA I am a part of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. I also contributed to the OSU Buckeye Current team. But, I try to focus most of my energy towards ASA in my free time, as it is my brain child and it provides me with the most satisfaction. Currently I am “officially” serving as the Media and Communications chair. I have been working as the Media and Coms manager since 2014 but this year it is official. I provide any sort of Media support to the group, such as flyers, presentations, animations etc. I will also be acting as the
Site Admin and Social Media manager starting this fall. Aside from the professional innuendo I am an avid artist (Also why I love being part of the media team). I enjoy the outdoors, hiking and spend some of my time in the gym. I also love having meaningful conversations, meeting new people and enjoy watching movies. I am looking forward to making this a great year. Thank you!
Media and Communications - Sabrina Amiin
Hi, my name is Sabrina Amiin. Amiin, with two I’s, because the hospital realized a single pronoun wasn’t enough. Since, I bring an army of I and I to everywhere I go. So, basically, don’t mess with me! I graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 2016. At the same time, I attended Columbus Downtown Vocational High School to study Law Enforcement. To gain field experience I also served as an intern for the municipal court building for DVU (Domestic Violence Unit). To add to my accomplishments I was voted Class Squad Leader and Sargent Third Quarter. But, I have concluded Law Enforcement is not exactly for me. So, Currently I am attending Columbus State Community College to study Criminology; I know it’s not a far leap. My goal is to eventually transfer to The Ohio State University and conclude my studies. Aside from education, I have a great passion for community service. I have won 3 certificates, while in high school, based on the most service hours amongst my peers. In terms of my occupational successes I was promoted to the positon of Shift Manager, at Tim Horton’s, at a young age of 17, where I learned the importance of scheduling and time management.
While growing up as a Somali American was never easy, I have faced adversity and came out a stronger more successful individual. This will be my first year serving as the Media and Communications Lead in Ahlulbayt Student Association. I hope to bring lessons from my past experiences, and help the organization reach its next level. In conclusion, let me leave off with an insightful saying “To him we belong, To him we will return some day”; A much better version of “yolo”. Let’s aim to give each day the best of our effort and may Allah guide us on the right path. Thank you.
Media and Communications - Safia Hussein
Hi, I’m Safia Hussein. I am currently a freshman at Metro Institute of Technology in Columbus, Ohio. This is my first year being a part of the ASA board and I am very excited to see what comes of my experience this year because I just know it’ll be great. I have attended almost all of the events since it has started and it is definitely a blast! ASA is just a overall great way to get together with our community and have some fun. The events are very well planned and it seems really enjoyable to organize. The things ASA does leaves a big impact on us as muslims and on people in general. It lets us form bonds with others in a very special way.This year, for ASA, I am part of the media and communications lead which I am looking forward to doing because I am great with the media (as it is the 21st century after all). I think I will be a great help to the role. Some of my hobbies include playing the piano, horseback riding, snowboarding, traveling the world and just spending time with my friends and family. I look forward to what this year brings us!
Hello everyone my name is Sarah Al-Hashemi and I am a freshman at Columbus Alternative High School. I have just recently joined ASA as media and communications lead. I have really enjoyed ASA's events in the past and thought they were really educational, so I decided to join and hope to have that same effect on other people. I joined ASA's media and communications lead because I love photography, so much so, that I am on my schools yearbook club. I am taking digital photography this year to help further my understanding of photography and to take the best pictures possible for the events! I can't wait to see what ASA plans for the future.
Media and Communications - Sarah Al-Hashemi
Events Lead - Salma Abubakar
Hi, I'm Salma and I am currently attending Upper Arlington High School as a freshman. I plan on getting a certificate for getting the highest amount of service hours because I love helping people out. I've joined ASA recently and helped plan the latest horror movie night event. I am the events lead for the group because I love to help out the group by coming up with event ideas. My favorite thing to do in my free time is play sports and hang out with friends and family. I always try to be active in everything that I do whether its studying for a test or practicing my Quran. I'm really looking forward to being a part of ASA this year and helping to keep everyone active and ready to go.
Events Lead - Kazim Jafri
Greetings everyone, I'm Kazim, and I am in my freshmen year of high school. The school I go to is Olentangy High School. I have been a volunteer at Orange Library for one month each summer, starting with the summer of 2014. Volunteering has always been fun for me. Other things I enjoy to do is gaming, track, math, and doing sports with friends. This is my first year of being on the board and I know it won't be my last. I have been inspired by previous members of ASA to join, and I hope you all can be inspired to join as well. As the event lead, I will be setting up events. Along with this I will be finding volunteers to help work at the events, and to help clean up afterwards. I first learned about ASA in 2014, all I had known is that they set up fun events. After a year, I had learned that they helped keep the youth of the community interested in Islam, and that they have been behind many matters that have positively affected the majlis. So far the year has been great, and I hope your as excited as me to see the new the year of ASA.
Events Lead - Roya Shahinfar
Hi! My name is Roya and I am a current high school sophomore at Columbus School for Girls. My family has been associated with the Ahlul-Bayt Society of Columbus for most of my life and I have participated in ASA since its existence. Last year I served as the Media and Communications Chair, where I updated ASA's social media and former website. As Events Lead this upcoming year, I will help pick and reserve venues, get decorations and supplies, and essentially, help organize the events as a whole. This association has given me amazing opportunities to get involved in the community, learn about my faith in new ways, and make incredible friendships that will last a lifetime. ASA has become a place for me to feel comfortable, and the people have become like my family. Apart from ASA, I am a member of the field hockey team, school newspaper and literary magazine, costume crew for the plays/musicals, and Gold-Key Ambassador Society for my school. I also enjoy travelling, filmmaking, fashion design, biking, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, pasta, succulents, and scented candles.
Development team - Noor Al-Hashemi
Hello, my name is Noor and currently I'm a senior, as well as class president, at Columbus Alternative High School. I've been a part of ASA for years and Im glad to be on the board again. This year, I'm on the Development team, teaching Islamic ideas that relate to our events. I think this is important, since, sadly, as Muslims growing up in the West, Islam is not one of the main things on our minds. I aim to show Islam's relation to our daily lives and contemporary issues.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, fashion, political theory, writing, art and R&B.
Community Relations Lead - Sena Albash
Assalaamu-alaikum, my name is Sena Albash and I’m a junior at The Ohio State University. I graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 2014 and am now pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science of Social Work degree with a minor in Public Health and Nonprofit Studies. Insha’allah, I plan to work in the Medical Social Work field in the future. I began working with ASA in the summer of 2016 and was one of the main organizers for our trip to Camp Taha. I am now working as the Community Relations Lead to help connect ASA to the broader community. Outside of ASA, I work part-time as support staff at a preschool and am passionate about volunteering. I am an active volunteer through my major at Ohio State and I regularly volunteer at Godman Guild, a settlement house in an under-served community in Franklin County. I also love to hike, cook, and eat, especially with friends. I’m super excited about working with the other board members and Insha’allah we’ll have an excellent year!
Community Relations Lead - Mahrukh Naqvi
Hi everyone! My name is Mahrukh Naqvi and I am a 16 year old junior at Dublin Jerome High School. I have been involved in ASA since the beginning, and I have loved it every step of the way. Through ASA, i have learned so much about organizing events and have gotten to know so many incredible people, who have made the past 3 years so much fun. From getting lost on hikes in the middle of the forest, to planning events while eating pizza past midnight, ASA has definitely shaped who I am, and I look forward to helping others experience ASA in the same way. Outside of ASA, I am involved in Key club, the American Cancer Society, and Student Council. I am pumped for what this year brings us in ASA!
Events Lead - Faalik Zahra
Hey guys! My name is Faalik Zahra! I’m currently a junior at Dublin Jerome High School!
I was one of the few to help create the AhlulBayt Student Association, and have been on the
board ever since. Though ASA has given me more then I have given it whether it be the endless friendships, wonderful memories, or the valuable leadership skills i’ve learned. I want others to gain from ASA as much as I have, and hope to make it a place where people can learn, spend times with their friends, and create wonderful memories.
Other than ASA, I am a part of many other clubs such as Relay for Life, Key Club, and
Girl Up Dublin. I love giving back to my community, and being apart of these clubs allow me to
do so. I usually spend my weekends drinking coffee, hanging out with friends, or obsessing over some tv show. Other things I like to do are to write, explore, and travel. I aspire to leave a positive impact on the world, and through ASA i’m a step closer to my aspirations.
Can’t wait to see what this year holds but I'm sure it'll be something great!
