An Environment of Support
Our Founders
Dr Omar Suleiman
MUHSEN Founder
Dr. Omar Suleiman is the President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and a professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University. He’s also the resident scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center and Co-Chair of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square, a multi-faith alliance for peace and justice.
Dr. Omar most recently founded the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research which is a think tank that focuses on instilling conviction based on Islamic texts, and producing contribution. Prior to Yaqeen, he also founded MUHSEN, a nonprofit umbrella organization serving the community to establish a more inclusive “Special Friendly” environment for our Brothers & Sisters of all Disabilities.
He began his journey of traditional Islamic learning in the year 2000 and has spent years studying in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Malaysia. Upon becoming certified in various traditional sciences, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic law, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, a Masters degree in Islamic finance, a Masters Degree in Political History, and has recently completed his PhD from the International Islamic University of Malaysia in Islamic Thought and Civilization. Dr. Omar has taught Islamic Studies at the university level since 2008 with Mishkah University, Al Maghrib Institute, Bayyinah Institute, and the Islamic Seminary of America.
In media, he’s one of the creators of the internationally acclaimed “Inspiration Series” which has reached millions of Muslims and Non Muslims through YouTube and Islamic Television stations worldwide. He’s also known for his series on Quran weekly as well as his contributions to Hadith of the Day. His hometown being New Orleans, but now based in Dallas, he has been a noted leader and voice for peace, and has partaken as a representative of the Muslim Community in many city functions. He has since been a guest at various national functions to share his experiences in community building.
A personal note from Dr Omar Suleiman—
I grew up watching my mother (may Allah have mercy on her) struggle.
My mother, due to cancer and multiple strokes, for most of my life suffered from severe hearing loss and had a difficult time speaking amongst other medical issues. This caused me to be particularly sensitive to others in the Masjid who had disabilities. What I noticed though and still notice today is that Masjids do not accommodate properly for people with special needs.
Many times I go to a city and parents with children in wheelchairs say their kids badly wanted to come but couldn’t get into the masjid. Even worse, parents with children who have autism email me saying that they wish they could attend but have to stay home with their child. Even I, when I served as Imam of Masjid Abu Bakr in New Orleans, mistakenly sent a child with autism home from Quran class not knowing his condition.
So all of us need a change of attitude and need to do a better job remosque-ing this part of our Ummah. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) deeply cared about including them in every activity possible.
Sister Joohi Tahir
MUHSEN
CEO, Co-Founder
As a graduate from Boston University with a degree in Business Management, and having spent over 20 years excelling in the corporate world, speaking globally about strategies in the Marketing field in the UK, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Malaysia, and Turkey, Joohi turned her talents to become a national advocate for Muslims with Disabilities. This led to her involvement in Co-Founding and appointment as Executive Director of Muslims Understanding & Helping Special Education Needs (MUHSEN).
MUHSEN is a revolutionary non-profit founded by Shaykh Omar Suleiman. In consult with Shaykh Omar, Joohi laid out, planned and built the organizational Programs and Services which we now know as MUHSEN. With her own family being affected by disability, Joohi has been outspoken over the past 15 years specifically about the need for inclusion for her daughter who is on the Autism Spectrum. She started with small community initiatives, talks, support groups, consulting with masjid administrators and mainstream scholars about the need for our communities to be more aware and be made more accessible for people in our community with disabilities.
As a leader of this organization, Joohi advocates and markets the needs for which MUHSEN implements programs and services across N. America promoting inclusion of all members of the community impacted by special needs through awareness, accommodation and acceptance. She has been a recipient of the MWA 2015 Inspiring Women’s Award and Top 7 Muslim American Women to Celebrate 2017.
Team MUHSEN
Dr. Omar Suleiman
MUHSEN Founder
Joohi Tahir
MUHSEN Co-founder & Executive Director
Nada Merhi
MUHSEN Board Member
Sara Jama
MUHSEN Board Member
Kohawar Khan
MUHSEN Board Member
Waqar Khan
MUHSEN Board Member
Canadian Leads
Nada Merhi
Managing Director
nada@muhsen.org
Shawn Alam
Eastern Canada Expansion Coordinator
eastcanada@muhsen.org
Team MUHSEN
Nada Merhi
Board Member
Nada is a dedicated social activist who has committed her life to community development and activism. With a long-standing history in community engagement and public education, she is passionate about reaching the most marginalized and at-risk individuals in the community. Over the past 15 years, Nada has served her community by supporting school boards, individuals with disabilities, and advocacy organizations. She has developed and implemented strategies and initiatives aimed at establishing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
Nada has dedicated her career to advocating for minority communities and individuals with disabilities. Through education, training, and various programs, she champions their rights. As an adaptive sports coach, she believes in the empowering potential of inclusive sports to enhance mental well-being and foster social connections. Committed to community development, Nada strives to create a sense of belonging through the universal language of sports.
Sara Jama
Secretary, Strategic planner with the Canadian Muslim Healthcare Network
Sarah Jama was the former Member of Provincial Parliament for Hamilton Centre. She is a community organizer from Hamilton, Ontario and co-founder of the Disability Justice Network of Ontario (DJNO).
She holds a Social Sciences degree from McMaster University, and a Lead Organizer Certificate from the Centre for Labour Research and Education from Berkeley University.
She is the founder of the Disability Justice Network of British Columbia and leads as the Program Manager at the Disability Alliance of British Columbia.
Kohawar Khan
Treasurer, Director of IDRF (International Development and Relief Foundation Canada West)
Kohawar Khan, Director of Canada West at IDRF, brings over a decade of experience in the humanitarian and grassroots community-building sectors.
She is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities and those who are disadvantaged or marginalized. Through her work with the government, particularly with the Premier of Alberta, Kohawar has established a wide network of community connections and excels at fostering lasting and impactful relationships.
One of her most cherished aspects of her career has been the opportunity to visit communities in the field and form personal connections with those she serves.
Waqar Khan
Vice President of Global Development at Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research
Based in Canada, Waqar Khan serves as the Vice President of Global Development at Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. In this role, he leads international growth initiatives, strategic partnerships, and global fundraising efforts to advance Yaqeen’s mission worldwide.
With extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, philanthropy, and institutional development, Waqar has played a key role in building sustainable funding models, strengthening governance frameworks, and cultivating relationships with major donors and community leaders across multiple regions. His work focuses on aligning vision with execution, ensuring long-term impact through structured growth and strategic collaboration.
Waqar is passionate about community engagement and believes in the power of partnerships to promote social good, cultural understanding, and faith-rooted impact across diverse communities.
Farhat Shah
Muslim ND ( Neurodivergent, Autism , ADHD Down Syndrome, Dyslexia) Support Group Leader
Farhat Shah is an Autism and Educational Coach and the founder ofthe Muslim ND Support Group – Vancouver.
A dedicated advocate and parent of an autistic child, she works to build understanding, inclusion, and faith-based supportfor neurodivergent families.
With certifications in autism, neurodiversity, and behaviouraltherapy, Farhat partners with schools, masjids, and organizations to create accessible and compassionate community spaces across Canada.
Aniqa Azim
Good Day Program Lead - Canada canadadayprogram@muhsen.org
Aniqa began volunteering with MUHSEN in 2023, where her experiences ignited a deep passion for serving individuals with disabilities. She now serves as MUHSEN Canada’s Good Day Program Lead, creating inclusive spaces for adults with disabilities and supporting families with compassion and care.
Aniqa is a recent graduate of the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, and is now working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from the University of Montana. She has plans to pursue a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology afterwards! Alongside her role with MUHSEN, she leads group respite programs and teaches social skills classes for children with disabilities–always striving to honour each person’s dignity, strengths, and independence.
In her free time, Aniqa enjoys crocheting and making art, playing sports, and giving back to her community through volunteer work!
Canadian Leads
Nada Merhi
Managing Director
nada@muhsen.org
Shawn Alam
Eastern Canada Expansion Coordinator
eastcanada@muhsen.org