Dr. Mukhtar Adem is a dedicated physician and community leader, currently serving as Chairman of Al-Qalam Triangle Academy (AQTA). With his connection to the Triangle area dating back to 2008, Dr. Adem has long been active in the local Muslim community, including previously serving as a board member for Jamaat Ibad Ar-Rahman (JIAR) and volunteering his time on various community committees.
In his medical career over 20 years, Dr. Adem is affiliated with UNC Chapel Hill, providing care and contributing to the health and well-being of patients in our area. He brings to his leadership role a combination of medical insight, integrity, and a servant’s heart rooted in faith-driven service.
As a proud father of two, Dr. Adem is deeply committed to the mission of AQTA — to cultivate a nurturing, faith-centered educational environment. Under his guidance, AQTA continues to expand its reach and elevate its standards, aiming to develop future generations who are intellectually confident, morally grounded, and community-minded.
Hafed Elhaj has over 13 years of experience at Cisco Systems, specializing in IT customer success. He holds a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Before relocating to North Carolina, he taught as adjunct faculty at several Massachusetts community colleges for over four years.
His current community leadership impact includes six years as Treasurer and Board Member of JIAR, reflecting his dedication to governance and service. As a father of three, Hafed’s commitment to education and advocacy is both personal and professional. He is one of the Founders of Al-Qalam (AQTA) and currently serves as Vice Chairman of AQTA Board, promoting community-driven education grounded in Islamic-rooted values and a natural perspective, ensuring nurturing learning environments free from external influences.
Abid Abuzaid is a versatile technologist with over 17 years of experience and has been an active member of the community since 2008. A dedicated volunteer, he has served Jamaat Ibad Ar-Rahman (JIAR) in various committees and continues to support initiatives that strengthen the community. As a proud father of four and a strong advocate for quality Islamic education, Abid brings both professional expertise and heartfelt commitment to his role as Treasurer of Al-Qalam Triangle Academy.
Mansur Mohammed is a dedicated community leader, educator, and technology professional with over 20 years of experience in software architecture and program development. He is one of the founders of Al-Qalam Triangle Academy (AQTA), driven by his passion to provide the best quality education for Muslim children that nurtures both academic excellence and strong Islamic values.
Mansur has also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors at Jamaat Ibad Ar-Rahman (JIAR), where he worked to establish innovative educational, health and community programs that continue to benefit families across the Triangle area. His leadership style emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and service to the community.
As a Board Member of AQTA, Mansur remains committed to ensuring the Academy thrives as a center of learning that inspires students to become confident, compassionate, and capable leaders of tomorrow.
Muawia Abdalla , a Business and Accounting graduate, brings over 15 years of experience as a tax specialist and entrepreneur. He has lived in Durham for more than 20 years and is a proud father of three.
At AQTA, he serves as Board Member and HR Director, supporting leadership, operations, and organizational growth.
Imam Hicham Jabal was born and educated in Morocco and moved to the US in 2001. Since then, he has served as an Imam and Khateeb at various Masajid in the country. Shk. Hicham joined the JIAR team as an Imam in 2021 with a mission of supporting the community in fulfilling its spiritual and social needs.
One of his objectives is to support the Muslim community with a strong Islamic education and inspirational guidance to help all members to strengthen their relationship with Almighty Allah. He
enjoys teaching Arabic, Quran, and Islamic studies to children, youth, and adults.
With his background, the school will greatly benefit under his religious leadership.
Youssef Jouad, M.Sc., is an accomplished IT professional, educator, and community leader, with over two decades of experience in technology and innovation. He currently serves as an Instructor in the Cybersecurity, Networking, and Support Programs at Durham Technical Community College, teaching courses including Artificial Intelligence and contributing to the growth of their cybersecurity degree program.
Before joining Durham Tech, Youssef has held various leadership and project management roles in the IT industry, helping organizations embrace emerging technologies and best practices.
A passionate educator, he is known for bridging technical depth with conceptual clarity—enabling students to “walk into a room of AI experts and speak intelligently” about their field.
He is also deeply committed to community service and faith-based education. His dedication aligns with AQTA’s mission to cultivate future generations who are technically adept, ethically grounded, and spiritually conscious.
