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Board of Directors

Governance, Trust, and Service to Our Community

Leadership Committed to Excellence

The CISS Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and governance for Calgary Islamic School Society. Our board members are dedicated community leaders who bring diverse expertise in education, business, healthcare, technology, and community service.

We are committed to transparency, accountability, and building trust with parents and the broader Calgary Muslim community. Our governance ensures that CISS schools maintain the highest standards of academic excellence integrated with Islamic values.

Board Responsibilities

Ensuring accountability, strategic planning, and community trust

Our Governance Foundation

Ensuring community trust is the cornerstone of CISS Board governance. The Board governs by setting vision, policies, and goals, focusing on student achievement, and overseeing budgets, finances, and facilities.

The Board prepares students for future success by ensuring bilingual (English and Arabic) quality education, representing Islamic community values, and prioritizing financial accountability.

Governance and Oversight

Providing strategic direction and ensuring the schools operate in accordance with Islamic principles, educational best practices, and legal requirements

Financial Stewardship

Ensuring responsible financial management, budget oversight, and long-term sustainability of CISS schools

Student Achievement Focus

Setting goals and policies that prioritize student success through bilingual education (English and Arabic) and integrated Islamic values

Community Representation

Representing Islamic community values, building strong partnerships with parents, and maintaining open communication with the Calgary Muslim community

Meet Our Board

Experienced professionals united in their commitment to Islamic education and community service

Abdulrahman Abbas

Chairman

Representative of Muslim Council of Calgary

Electronics engineer with experience at TELUS and AGT. Founder of a security integration business specializing in alarms and surveillance systems. Long-time community leader involved in establishing and expanding Islamic education in Calgary, with a strong focus on long-term growth and graduating future leaders.

Mohammed Abdel-Hafez

Vice Chairman

Representative of School Council

Vice Chair of CISS, serving since December 2023. Family physician and Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Calgary. Parent of students at Akram Jomaa Islamic School and strong advocate for academic excellence and student well-being.

Ali Moussa

General Secretary

Representative of School Council

Academic Chair of Software Development at SAIT. Background in software development and education, with extensive experience mentoring students and professionals transitioning into technology careers. Passionate about modern education, industry connections, and student success.

Marwa Ajram

Treasurer

Representative of School Council

Parent of students at Omar Ibn Al-Khattab School. Finance professional with experience in private banking. Manages a landscaping bookkeeping business and supports family-run barbershops. Active OBK parent council member for several years.

Medina Khalaf

Director

Representative of School Council

Board member dedicated to supporting Islamic education in Calgary.

Omar El-Hajjar

Director

Representative of Muslim Council of Calgary

Vice President of Operations in the oil and gas sector. Community leader involved with Calgary Islamic School and the Muslim Council of Calgary since 2015. Chairman of the Muslim Council of Calgary and a founding leader of CISS to ensure focused governance of Islamic schools.

Hoda Kilani

Director

Representative of Muslim Council of Calgary

Dr. Hoda Kilani, CCDP®, CPCC is a certified Career and Academic Coach. Through intentional curriculum design and training, she empowers students and the adults around them to confidently navigate and activate what's next. As a global speaker, she champions career literacy and gifted education. She advances her work through coaching, community partnerships, academic publications, and multilingual media across YouTube, podcasts, and radio in English and Arabic.

Mohamed Zohiri

Director

Representative of Muslim Council of Calgary

Board member. Bio coming soon.

Basir Saleh

Director

Independent

Independent board member with executive experience in the transportation industry. Known for a practical, solution-oriented leadership style and strong operational problem-solving skills.

Board Committees

Finance Committee

Governance Committee

Parent Engagement Committee

Strategic Planning Committee

Board Meetings

The CISS Board of Directors meets monthly to discuss governance matters, review financial reports, and make strategic decisions. Board meetings follow proper procedures and maintain minutes for transparency.

Parents and community members may request to address the board by contacting the board secretary in advance. We value input from our community and maintain open channels of communication.

Contact the Board

For governance questions, board meeting requests, or policy inquiries:

[email protected]

Response time: Within 1-2 business days