Previous YCL Fellows

Born in Conakry, Guinea, and raised in Atlanta, Abdoul graduated from Cornell University in May 2024 with a degree in Urban Planning, Real Estate, and Inequality Studies. He serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Diversity and Inclusion in Real Estate (DAIRE), a collegiate organisation advancing real estate career pathways for minority students across American universities. Currently a Development and Investment Analyst at Greystar, Abdoul reviews multifamily, senior, and student housing developments across the United States. His passion lies in real estate development, affordable housing, and community development.

Abeera is the Operations and Finance Associate at Propel Capital and a former Goldman Sachs Market Risk Specialist. A Yale University graduate, she co-founded the ALI Leadership Institute, a New Jersey non-profit dedicated to training activists, organisers, and grassroots leaders. Abeera has worked with local politicians and non-profits, helping elect the youngest Muslim official in New Jersey to the Jersey City school board. She is a Yale Presidential Public Service Fellow, Islamic Scholarship recipient, and a member of Insider NJ's Top 100 Millennial Power List.

A University of California, Berkeley graduate and a Regents' and Chancellor's Scholar, Alaa is a Policy Enforcement and Operations Manager at YouTube. She works to address the health and well-being of creators and viewers via product and policy management. Alaa also strives to increase representation of Muslims at Google and through Google products, impacting Muslim users globally. Her collaboration and consultation work has taken her across Asia, Africa, and Europe, offering scalable and effective solutions for top and emerging organisations. Alaa is deeply invested in understanding and solving complex global problems.

A financial literacy advocate, Ali founded LifeSmart to bridge the financial education gap among young people, especially in underserved communities. As a former Relationship Manager at Barclays Private Bank, specialising in investment services for High-Net-Worth Clients, he completed the rigorous Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams and spent half a decade in banking. He then shifted to education, starting a successful consultancy blending wealth management with bespoke educational services in Luxembourg and Switzerland. Now, he focuses on financial literacy through interactive workshops, an engaging course and a unique tech platform, empowering the next generation to make informed financial decisions.

In her final year of a Master's by Philosophy programme at the University of Adelaide, Amira has a background in Health and Medical Science, Business and Counselling. She serves as a mental health counsellor and conducts research on the mental well-being of entrepreneurs and top executives. Amira is also a children's author with three books on emotions, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and children in conflict, used in schools worldwide. She actively works within the Muslim community, facilitating workshops on emotional management for children, guiding youth on mental health and identity concerns, and assisting young adults in navigating career challenges.

Assamaual is a Dutch lawyer and academic who works as a junior lecturer and researcher at Leiden Law School in the Netherlands, specialising in Constitutional and Administrative Law. He holds an LLB and LLM from the University of Amsterdam and has also studied at Georgetown University Law Center, LSE, UCLA, and An-Najah National University. Assamaual worked for the Dutch Government’s Attorney and interned at the Raad van State, the Netherlands' supreme administrative court. He founded the first MSA at the University of Amsterdam and served as president of the Dutch National MSA. In 2021, he received the ECHO 'Law & Tax' award by the Ministry of Education. In 2023 was appointed as an inclusion advisor by Dutch Education Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf.

An Aziz Foundation scholar, Khaled has an MSc in Sustainable Energy and has consulted at Baringa Partners and BP. In 2024 he joined PWC's Strategy& as an Associate specialising in Climate and ESG consultancy. Khaled has experience in entrepreneurial environments, winning the EU's Code4Green Hackathon and co-founding Future Focus, an organisation to level the playing for minorities in accessing education. He has appeared on podcasts and spoken at round tables on education access for minorities. Khalid aims to leverage his skillset to become a subject matter expert in the energy transition space and in his wider work strives to promote Islamic engagement in sustainability.

Mira graduated from Occidental College with a BA in Critical Theory & Social Justice and is attending Johns Hopkins University's International Relations Graduate programme as a Pickering Fellow with the US State Department. She has worked with non-profits, the wellness sector, and academic institutions to leverage her personal experience in presenting community members with new ways of thinking. Mira believes that international stability is a process towards equity, justice, and agency, rooted in inclusion. Her work focuses on opening imaginations to possibilities in a more liberated society.

A litigation associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Mo previously clerked at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the D.C. A Harvard Law graduate, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review and worked in the Harvard Law Voting Rights Clinic, achieving key electoral reforms during COVID-19. Before law school, Mo was an EMT, graduating summa cum laude from Rutgers University-Newark, where he was a commencement speaker, part of the Rutgers National Champion debate team, and managed operations for New Jersey's largest Muslim non-profit. He also serves as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Navy Reserve.

Known as 'The Airport Guy', Mohammad is an aerospace engineering graduate turned content creator and educator. He has excelled in professional roles, overseeing the UK's largest and most complex aerodrome, while building an online community of over half a million people. Mohammad empowers individuals, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, to explore careers in aviation and engineering while embracing their faith and identity. Recently announced as an Aviation Ambassador for the UK Department for Transport, he is an international speaker and has been named one of the top 50 most influential Muslims in Europe.

A Norwegian-Afghan politician studying political science and sociology at the University of Oslo, Nilofar has held various positions within the Socialist Left Party, including serving as a local politician and as a deputy member of parliament. She has been head of the anti-racist committee of the Socialist Youth Party and has held posts in voluntary organisations. Nilofar has served as deputy chairperson of Changemaker and as a member of the Youth Panel in the Directorate of Integration and Diversity. This autumn, she will be an observer at the UN's 79th General Assembly on behalf of the Norwegian Peace Council.

A PhD candidate and Research Associate at the Cluster of Excellence "Contestations of the Liberal Script" (SCRIPTS) at the Freie Universität Berlin, Neval examines the governance of religion in liberal-secular nation-states through a critical secular lens. She studied Social Sciences at Humboldt University in Berlin, the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, and King's College London. Neval's research explores the (non)recognition of religious minorities in liberal-secular contexts, theories of secularism and religion, and Islam in Europe. She is the founder and chairwoman of HUMA, the Muslim student association at Humboldt University, and a Fellow of the REACH Leadership Program of the Deutschlandstiftung Integration.

A second-generation American, Osman is a Councilmember in the City of Redmond, serving as one of the youngest Muslim elected officials in the nation. He graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor's in neuroscience and was elected Student Body President, representing over 45,000 students. Osman has brought his healthcare background to various roles, including at a medical device research consulting firm and at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. He applies his experience in communication, community organising, healthcare policy, and social impact initiatives to serve residents across his community.

A Kurdish-Dutch young leader from The Hague, Ruşen is the General Director of the Creative Muslim Club, which aims to claim the narrative on Islam and Muslims in the West. He is also a Researcher specialising in the political participation of migrants and their descendants. Ruşen is a writer of plays and political blogs, as well as a youth worker. His multifaceted approach to community engagement and political research reflects his commitment to enhancing understanding and representation of diverse communities in the Netherlands and beyond.

A junior doctor in the NHS, Safia's research spans neuroscience, medical humanities, and psychiatry. She has published in Nature Schizophrenia and presented at multiple international conferences. Safia has created BMA policy for improving care in underserved Muslim communities and produces and hosts the Muslim Researchers' Network podcast. An award-winning poet, she has been widely commissioned and has headlined poetry festivals. Safia delivers lectures in poetry for various universities and literary organisations across Europe. Her debut collection was published in 2022 with Smith | Doorstop, and won the New Poets Prize.

Sara Yassi is a strategic consultant in diplomatic and foreign affairs in London. Previously she held positions in the media industry, with roles at Sony Music UK, Universal Pictures, and Marvel Studios. Sara graduated with a BA (Hons) in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Oxford in 2021. During her time at Oxford, she served on the Oxford Union's committee as Access Officer, improving accessibility for minorities, disabled, and low-income students. Sara is also a screenwriter and author. Her work focuses on themes of belonging, and loss, particularly examining the female African diasporic experience.

A Multimedia Artist, Writer, and the 2021 Montgomery County Youth Poet Laureate, Sasa is a potter, painter, poet, printmaker, and bassist. She has been featured in Bethesda Magazine, the Washington Post, and on WTOP for her work on the A Man Was Lynched Yesterday Project in 2020. Sasa has won numerous awards in writing and performed poetry at the Kennedy What's Going On Festival in 2023. She is the founder of If All the Trees Were Pens Open Mic and recently published her first chapbook. Sasa received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Howard University in 2024.

Born and raised in Brussels with Moroccan roots, Wassim is a digital marketing freelancer and former tech startup co-founder. He recently ran for the Brussels Parliament, driven by a political ambition to bridge diverse communities and enhance trust in politics among Brussels' residents. Wassim is engaged in multiple entrepreneurial and non-profit initiatives focused on ethical finance, technology, social mobility, and digital marketing. Through these initiatives, he aims to promote financial responsibility, leverage technology for positive change, and create opportunities that foster social mobility, reflecting his commitment to a more inclusive and equitable society.

Zaakir Tameez is the author of Charles Sumner: Conscience of a Nation, a landmark new biography of America’s premier abolitionist and civil rights leader of the nineteenth century. An emerging scholar of constitutional law, Zaakir is a graduate of Yale Law School, the University of Virginia, and Queen Mary University of London, where he studied on a Fulbright Scholarship. His work has appeared in the Rutgers Business Law Review, the Indiana Health Law Review, the Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and the Houston Chronicle. He will be clerking for a federal judge in Atlanta, Georgia.

Elected to represent South Minneapolis in the State Senate at the age of 25, Zaynab is the youngest woman and first Muslim woman to serve in Minnesota's upper chamber. As Vice Chair of the Jobs and Economic Development committee, she secured $36 million in grants and loans to rebuild South Minneapolis small businesses damaged during civil unrest. Zaynab led the creation of the Office of New Americans, the "Driver's License for All" initiative, and established the Bring it Home rental assistance programme. An organiser at heart, she uses her community's stories to create policies that improve their lives.

Born in Tallahassee, Florida, to Syrian and Irish parents, Budeir is an entrepreneur with a focus on private equity and venture capital. A graduate of Yale University, Budeir started at Bain & Company, serving various institutional clients and advising on strategy, operations, and commercial due diligence. He is the founder of the Aldebaran Group, a first-of-its-kind private equity platform that places capital for some of the world’s most visionary investors.

Passionate about politics and inclusivity, Bouzi took his initial steps in politics during the 2019 European Elections. Recognising a diversity deficit in policymaking, he has significantly contributed to 'A Seat At The Table' (ASATT), championing opportunities for disadvantaged youth. As a German Marshall Fund Fellow committed to growing transatlantic relations and during a Politico internship, Bouzi honed his analytical capabilities, while also refining his insights into world affairs under Dr. John C. Hulsman's geopolitical risk consultancy. Drawing on these experiences, Bouzi founded Ars Geopolitica, an NGO aimed at training future energy sector experts.

Also known as Kianimus, Kiani is a twice-published, best-selling author, lyricist and the founder of a publishing house. He uses social media to inspire and empower, with a focus on education, self-love, self-healing, psychology, and personal development. His published works, which explore diverse themes and socio-cultural narratives, have gained critical acclaim. Kiani's unique literary approach is deeply rooted in his personal journey, overcoming deep personal challenges, hostilities, and prejudices.

A graduate of Columbia University's School of Journalism, Elassar is an Egyptian-Palestinian journalist and writer for CNN Digital. Her area of focus includes stories about culture, identity, and representation, especially from minority and marginalised communities. Her reporting has covered Native-American affairs, the Black Lives Matter movement, Asian-American hate, Islamophobia, women's rights, and much more beside. She has reported on-air from the scene of mass shootings and writes about the impact of gun violence in America. Her insightful storytelling, along with her dedication to journalistic integrity, exemplify her trajectory as a rising leader in the journalism sector.

A versatile professional with expertise in marketing, project management, and humanitarian work, Ahmed graduated in Media and Communications from Goldsmiths, University of London, and subsequently embarked on a career in marketing, working with various global businesses. Her most recent role as the Head of Programmes for Goodwill Caravan highlights her commitment to humanitarian causes. Ahmed’s dedication has been a pivotal force in constructing and spearheading global projects aimed at providing safety, support, and integration opportunities for refugees. She has actively contributed to refugee protection projects, assisting in the provision of shelter, legal aid, and medical support to vulnerable communities around the world. Ahmed’s diverse skill set, coupled with her passion for making positive impacts, defines her as a dedicated professional in her field.

An Afro-European, born in Torino, Italy, Hanafi is a Masters of Law student at the University of Turin and the University of Freiburg, Switzerland. Hanafi is passionate about enhancing society by lobbying to create bridges across disparate parts of society. He is Founder and President of the Italian Inclusion Leaders Network (NILI), supported by the German Marshall Fund of the United States, which works to enhance leadership in minority communities. He’s also the founder of two student think tanks, Campus 4.0 and Osservatorio Italiano di Politica Internazionale (OIPI), focused on technology, our social future, and international relations. Hanafi is a Fellow for the Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network (TILN).

Arslan is the Head of Business Development for the social enteprise Nushu, where she advocates for empowering and promoting diversity in the business world. Burcu is also pursuing her MBA at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management and is committed to promoting equal education opportunities. Her podcast, "Free Time MBA," is a source of inspiration and empowerment for those looking to achieve their goals. Arslan is unwavering in her dedication to help others, particularly those from disenfranchised backgrounds, access and launch their personal growth and development.

Former Lord Mayor of Westminster, the United Kingdom, Taouzzale is the first and only individual from a minority ethnic background to hold the post as the City’s first citizen, the youngest ever at the age of 22 and the first Muslim in the position as well. Taouzzale has been a Councillor in Westminster since the age of 18, and during his years of office he earned both his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees while serving residents in his Ward of Queens Park. Taouzzale is dedicated to making real change in communities like the one he’s grown up in. He is also keen on combating the injustice of wealth inequality in his home City and is an advocate for meaningful diversity and inclusion, especially in places of influence and decision making.

Qurban is a Secondary School teacher, an acclaimed Human Rights Advocate, and a non-profit Executive. Serving as a Program Coordinator at Muslim Food Bank and Community Services, he is also an a lead member at Afghan Diaspora of Vancouver and an Executive with Free Uyghur Now. Qurban is committed to supporting the Uyghur people and advocating their human rights as part of a broader commitment to youth education and human rights for all. In addition, Qurban is an award-winning film producer and authors his own blog, sharing reflections about his work and life.

A graduate of the University of California, Davis, and a Gilman Scholar, Kaleemah Muttaqi is a dynamic young professional with experience in campaign management, community organising, and journalism. In her current role as an Interfaith Lead Organizer within the Pacific Institute for Community Organising (PICO California) network, she works to address inequity in the criminal justice system. Kaleemah has spearheaded programs that develop community-based restorative models for families navigating the judicial system. Her work has taken her across Latin America and Africa, where she has facilitated conversations on collaborative organising strategies. She currently serves on the national ‘Multifaith Solidarity Cohort’ for Faith In Action, and ‘African American Insight Council’ for the Muslim Public Affairs Council. A proud Northern California native and multi-racial Muslim, Kaleemah is deeply rooted in her passion for cross-cultural and cross-continental movement building and storytelling.

Karim Farishta serves as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Pentagon and is the principal advisor regarding the Department of Defence’s interactions with state, local, and tribal leaders. Previously, Karim was the Director of Strategic Alliances at The Asian American Foundation, spearheading the $1.1 billion philanthropic launch of its national anti-hate and belonging efforts. He served as a Program Manager at the White House during the Obama Administration and worked for Vice President Harris during the 2021 presidential inauguration. A Fulbright Scholar, Karim holds a Master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School and a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University.

Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Mussab immigrated to the United States and has been inspired from a young age to fight for civil rights. While in college, he ran for the local school board in Jersey City, becoming the City's youngest and America's youngest Muslim official. As Board President, he implemented significant reforms, including a fully-funded budget and higher minimum wages. Additionally, Mussab was a Harry S. Truman Scholar at Rutgers University, a Schwarzman Scholar with a Master’s in Global Affairs from Tsinghua University, in Beijing, China, and graduated from Harvard Law School, where he served as Co-President of Student Government.

Sabrine is a fourth-year law student at the University of Technology Sydney, studying a Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Laws. Her passion for legal studies and sector reform earned her the prestigious role of representing Law on the Universities Academic Board, as well as a seat on the Faculty Board of Law. Once elected as General Secretary of the Student’s Association by the university’s 50,000-person cohort, Sabrine founded her university’s first Student Partnership agreement, earning national recognition. This capacity for change sparked Sabrine’s interest in politics; she was elected President of UTS Labor and an Executive of the National Union of Students. Her role in youth engagement allowed her to intern with the current government's Minister for Youth and advise on portfolio matters. Outside of University, Sabrine serves as the coordinator of the Crescent Institute, Australia’s local equivalent of Concordia, whose primary objective is to connect, educate, and empower Australian Muslims from all backgrounds.

Hassam, a dedicated member of the prison service in the UK, has a unique insight into the criminal justice system having worked on both the front lines and at the heart of decision making. After completing her undergraduate at University College of London, Hassam was part of a pilot Master’s programme, ‘Unlocked,’ which saw her complete her post-graduate studies while serving as a Prison Officer in a men's category B prison in London. As one of the few Muslims working in a senior position in the criminal justice system, Hassam went from prison landings to working in prison policy in Whitehall at the Ministry of Justice and thereafter in the private office of the Minister of State for prisons. She now serves as a Prison Inspector for HM Government, providing independent scrutiny of the country's jails. Her often challenging work showcases her commitment to fostering positive reform and upholding justice by advocating for some of the most marginalised members of our society.

Passionate about positive change and community development, Rauf is an emerging leader and distinguished public figure, born in Oslo, Norway, to Sri Lankan parents. A neurobiologist and dynamic young politician, she is noted for her potent drive towards societal reform, spurred by global injustices. As a top candidate for the Norwegian Labour Party running for City Council, she possesses a commendable record of engaging in public discourse. Beyond politics, her multifaceted career spans leading several startups and fulfilling the role of a university educator, specialising in the intriguing field of scientific meditation.

Kadouh is a proud daughter of Dearborn, Michigan, where she resides and received her education, including a degree in public health and Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She also founded Arabize Media, a media company empowering Arabs and Muslims through storytelling and community building. With a passion for social and political engagement, Kadouh successfully established four distinct brands under Arabize Media, including “Dearborn Girl,” which gained national and international recognition. Currently, she serves as Program Manager at New American Leaders, a nationwide organisation dedicated to training refugees, immigrants, and first and second generation Americans to lead.

Mahmood, a self-educated software engineer and proactive entrepreneur, excels at creating impactful solutions to real-world issues via engaging digital experiences. Spanning multiple sectors, including healthcare and artificial intelligence, he co-founded Muslamic Makers, an initiative committed to amplifying underrepresented voices within the tech industry. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the conception and successful delivery of the Muslim Tech Festival. Mahmood’s relentless efforts have seen collaborations with industry giants like Google, Samsung, and the BBC. His accomplishments position him as an emerging leader, dedicated to transforming representation within the tech landscape.

Zahra Beg is a Research Associate at ECPAT International, a global network of civil society organisations that work to end the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. A recent graduate of MSc Violence, Conflict & Development, she conducted research on the memorialisation of sexual violence from the Bosnian genocide. Beg is passionate about community initiatives, meeting her reading challenges, and photographing architectural feats. A product of living in Luxembourg, Belgium, England, Kazakhstan, Hong Kong, Scotland and Jordan, Zahra is always eager to expand her horizons and embrace new cultures and languages.