Dr. Maryam Qudrat

Maryam founded the Muslim Student Association at Cleveland High School. After earning a doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Southern California, Maryam became a lecturer and has more than 10 years of experience at California State University, Long Beach.  Additional teaching experience includes five years with the Islamic Center Sunday School program. Maryam has...

Hassan Zeenni

Hassan Zeenni

Since becoming a member of the Islamic Center in 1998, Hassan Zeenni has served as board member, chairman, and currently heads the religious committee. He has given sermons at the Islamic Center and various mosques in Southern California for 20 years.  Born in Beirut, Zeenni earned his degree in civil engineering and now owns and...

Najeeba Syeed

Najeeba Syeed

Professor Najeeba Syeed is recognized as a leader in peacebuilding and twice received the Jon Anson Ford Award for reducing violence in schools and in the area of interracial gang conflicts and was named Southern California Mediation Association’s “Peacemaker of the Year” in 2007. She has chaired national conferences on Muslim and Interfaith Peacebuilding, served as a mediator...

Edina Lekovic

Edina Lekovic

For 15 years, Edina Lekovic has served as a leading voice on the American Muslim community. She is a communications strategist who is best known for her service with the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), where she oversaw government, media and Hollywood engagement as well as leadership development programs. She is a regular voice on...

Dr. Saleh Kholaki

Dr. Saleh Kholaki

As a practicing dentist who cares for his patients, Dr. Saleh Kholaki has spent several decades also dedicated to serving the Southern California Muslim community. He served two terms as Chairman of the Islamic Center of Southern California and has contributed to the Center’s Religious Committee. Dr. Kholaki is dedicated to the spiritual well-being of...

Dr. Sherman Jackson

Dr. Sherman Jackson

Dr. Sherman Jackson is the King Faisal Chair of Islamic Thought and Culture and Professor of Religion and American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. He is a co-founder, scholar and board member of the American Learning Institute for Muslims (ALIM), an academic institution where various leaders come together to develop strategies...

Dr. Gasser Hathout

Dr. Gasser Hathout

A lifelong active member of the Islamic Center, Dr. Gasser Hathout is a physician who also regularly gives sermons.  He graduated with honors from Harvard University, where he studied economics and was a senior editor of the Harvard International Review. He received his medical degree from David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, is an...

Asim Buyuksoy

Asim Buyuksoy

Sheikh Asim Buyuksoy has served as the Director of Religious Affairs at the Islamic Center since 2012, where he regularly shares sermons, performs marriages and funerals, and leads classes in Islamic Studies, Arabic and Quranic recitation for all ages. He often leads prayer and participates in various spiritual, educational and social events at the Center,...

Tariq Aquil

Tariq Aquil

Imam Tariq Aquil is a renowned Muslim leader and educator who has been active in various interfaith leadership forums and community service projects for several decades. In 2000, he was invited by President Clinton to attend “A Call to Action for Faith Groups of America.” He presented a paper on the necessity for an “Interreligious Council...

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