Who We Are
The Peaceful Families Project (PFP) is an initiative devoted to ending domestic violence in Muslim families by facilitating awareness workshops for Muslim leaders and communities, providing cultural sensitivity trainings and technical assistance for professionals, conducting research, and developing resources. PFP was founded by Sharifa Alkhateeb (1946-2000) in the year 2000. As a pioneer of Muslim anti-domestic violence advocacy, Sharifa worked tirelessly on behalf of Muslim victims and collaborated with Muslim leaders, communities, and activists across the U.S. as she provided workshops to raise awareness levels.
In an effort to affect change in all areas impacting victims and survivors of domestic violence, our programming includes prevention and intervention in its approach to community education and development, training and technical assistance, and research. We encourage a holistic approach to addressing domestic violence among Muslim families and communities through collaboration with imams, community leaders, community members, social service professionals, activists, educators, legal providers, and youth leaders.
Our Staff and Board of Directors are visionary community leaders who are dedicated to the mission of ending domestic violence through prevention work. Through their talent and expertise, the Peaceful Families Project is able to execute its mission and vision to promote attitudes and beliefs that emphasize justice, freedom from oppression, and family harmony.
In an effort to affect change in all areas impacting victims and survivors of domestic violence, our programming includes prevention and intervention in its approach to community education and development, training and technical assistance, and research. We encourage a holistic approach to addressing domestic violence among Muslim families and communities through collaboration with imams, community leaders, community members, social service professionals, activists, educators, legal providers, and youth leaders.
Our Staff and Board of Directors are visionary community leaders who are dedicated to the mission of ending domestic violence through prevention work. Through their talent and expertise, the Peaceful Families Project is able to execute its mission and vision to promote attitudes and beliefs that emphasize justice, freedom from oppression, and family harmony.
Executive Director
Sumaya Al-Hajebi
Executive Director
Peaceful Families Project
Great Falls, VA
Sumaya attended George Mason University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2011 (Magna Cum Laude) and contributed content to the text-reader "The Meaning of Difference: American Constructions of Race, Sex & Gender, Social Class, Sexual Orientation, and Disability". Before graduating, Ms. Al-Hajebi co-founded the first Muslim student-based relief organization United Muslims Relief, formerly known as Muslims Without Borders, where she became passionate about nonprofit work leading programs both on a national and international level. Throughout her career, Ms. Al-Hajebi continued to foster her interest and dedicate her time in the fields of education and nonprofit development. With over ten years of experience in nonprofit management, she is currently the executive director of the Peaceful Families Project and serves as a board member and volunteers for several nonprofit organizations nationally. Ms. Al-Hajebi enjoys being civically engaged in the community, serving as a poll worker and is part of several organizations that help bring communities of all types of social and religious backgrounds together. Ms. Al-Hajebi's personal interests include travel, youth mentorship, community gardening, outreach, and nearly all ice-cream related activities.
Executive Director
Peaceful Families Project
Great Falls, VA
Sumaya attended George Mason University, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2011 (Magna Cum Laude) and contributed content to the text-reader "The Meaning of Difference: American Constructions of Race, Sex & Gender, Social Class, Sexual Orientation, and Disability". Before graduating, Ms. Al-Hajebi co-founded the first Muslim student-based relief organization United Muslims Relief, formerly known as Muslims Without Borders, where she became passionate about nonprofit work leading programs both on a national and international level. Throughout her career, Ms. Al-Hajebi continued to foster her interest and dedicate her time in the fields of education and nonprofit development. With over ten years of experience in nonprofit management, she is currently the executive director of the Peaceful Families Project and serves as a board member and volunteers for several nonprofit organizations nationally. Ms. Al-Hajebi enjoys being civically engaged in the community, serving as a poll worker and is part of several organizations that help bring communities of all types of social and religious backgrounds together. Ms. Al-Hajebi's personal interests include travel, youth mentorship, community gardening, outreach, and nearly all ice-cream related activities.
Program Manager
Sarah Jaka
Program Manager
Peaceful Families Project
Great Falls, VA
Sarah Jaka has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington. Her past experience has been in the Information Technology field however her most recent experience is in the non-profit environment. Sarah has been involved in non-profit work for over a decade and finds her passion there because of the dynamic nature of the work. She has been a volunteer in a variety of roles such as event coordinator, social committee chairperson, registration committee chairperson at organizations such as ADAMS & ISNA and most recently she was the Marketing Coordinator at FAITH Social Services. Sarah resides with her family in Northern Virginia.
Program Manager
Peaceful Families Project
Great Falls, VA
Sarah Jaka has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington. Her past experience has been in the Information Technology field however her most recent experience is in the non-profit environment. Sarah has been involved in non-profit work for over a decade and finds her passion there because of the dynamic nature of the work. She has been a volunteer in a variety of roles such as event coordinator, social committee chairperson, registration committee chairperson at organizations such as ADAMS & ISNA and most recently she was the Marketing Coordinator at FAITH Social Services. Sarah resides with her family in Northern Virginia.
Special Program Director
Hasnaa Mokhtar
Special Program Director
Peaceful Families Project
Montreal, Quebec
Hasnaa Mokhtar is a writer, Fulbright alumna, and Ph.D. candidate at Clark University. After graduating in 2015 with a M.A. in International Development and Social Change, Hasnaa developed a passion for transdisciplinary approaches to addressing gender-based violence in Muslim communities. Her research, writings, and activism focus on amplifying the voices of Muslim women and tackling the injustices of gendered violence. Hasnaa is a storyteller at heart. In 2006, she worked as a journalist in Arab News, and later her articles appeared in several publications including Fortune, Yahoo, Bustle, and Muslim Girl. You can read her work at www.hasnaamokhtar.com. Previously, Hasnaa served as the executive director of the Center for Nonviolent Solutions in Worcester, MA. Hasnaa is passionate about life, personal growth, spirituality, and everything in between.
Special Program Director
Peaceful Families Project
Montreal, Quebec
Hasnaa Mokhtar is a writer, Fulbright alumna, and Ph.D. candidate at Clark University. After graduating in 2015 with a M.A. in International Development and Social Change, Hasnaa developed a passion for transdisciplinary approaches to addressing gender-based violence in Muslim communities. Her research, writings, and activism focus on amplifying the voices of Muslim women and tackling the injustices of gendered violence. Hasnaa is a storyteller at heart. In 2006, she worked as a journalist in Arab News, and later her articles appeared in several publications including Fortune, Yahoo, Bustle, and Muslim Girl. You can read her work at www.hasnaamokhtar.com. Previously, Hasnaa served as the executive director of the Center for Nonviolent Solutions in Worcester, MA. Hasnaa is passionate about life, personal growth, spirituality, and everything in between.
Intern
Tahani Chaudhry
Tahani Chaudhry is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at George Mason University. She is passionate about serving the mental health needs of the Muslim and South Asian communities. Her research focuses on trauma and resilience, particularly the role of religion in facilitating resilience for Muslim survivors of intimate partner violence. Beyond research, she is passionate about community work with marginalized communities, facilitating access to services, and promoting resilience. Tahani has volunteered with domestic violence organizations serving South Asians and Muslims, creating professional development workshops for residents at a local shelter. Tahani recently moved to Northern Virginia and is looking forward to becoming a part of the Muslim community in the area.
Tahani Chaudhry is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology at George Mason University. She is passionate about serving the mental health needs of the Muslim and South Asian communities. Her research focuses on trauma and resilience, particularly the role of religion in facilitating resilience for Muslim survivors of intimate partner violence. Beyond research, she is passionate about community work with marginalized communities, facilitating access to services, and promoting resilience. Tahani has volunteered with domestic violence organizations serving South Asians and Muslims, creating professional development workshops for residents at a local shelter. Tahani recently moved to Northern Virginia and is looking forward to becoming a part of the Muslim community in the area.
Board of Directors
President: Lina Hashem
AnaVation, LLC
IT Consultant
Washington, DC
Lina Hashem is a native to Northern Virginia and has worked with several organizations over the years to help facilitate and organize opportunities for others to learn and support social and humanitarian causes through organizations such as the Muslim Students Association, Islamic Relief, Foundation for Appropriate and Immediate Temporary Help's (FAITH) ‘Herndon without Hunger’ program, and the ‘United Against Malaria’ campaign. She has worked with the Deen Intensive's Rihla program to organize academic and spiritual trips in the US, Spain, and Turkey where students studied and learned from scholars on various topics including the social sciences of Islam. Lina has over 10 years of experience in the IT industry as an IT consultant and has worked in the DC metro area for business and management consulting firms. Her experience was nationally recognized through the Women of Color STEM award. She served as VP of MSA National and chaired the advisory board which connected her to students across the US and Canada where she organized and promoted student leading programs in activism, leadership, spiritual guidance, and helped organize regional and national conferences. Her passion in connecting people and resources led her to form her own company, Lina Hashem PR. Her first client was Zarqa Nawaz, creator of the Canadian hit sitcom, ‘Little Mosque on the Prairie’. Through Lina Hashem PR, Lina has represented authors, social media personalities, and organized speaking tours and events.
AnaVation, LLC
IT Consultant
Washington, DC
Lina Hashem is a native to Northern Virginia and has worked with several organizations over the years to help facilitate and organize opportunities for others to learn and support social and humanitarian causes through organizations such as the Muslim Students Association, Islamic Relief, Foundation for Appropriate and Immediate Temporary Help's (FAITH) ‘Herndon without Hunger’ program, and the ‘United Against Malaria’ campaign. She has worked with the Deen Intensive's Rihla program to organize academic and spiritual trips in the US, Spain, and Turkey where students studied and learned from scholars on various topics including the social sciences of Islam. Lina has over 10 years of experience in the IT industry as an IT consultant and has worked in the DC metro area for business and management consulting firms. Her experience was nationally recognized through the Women of Color STEM award. She served as VP of MSA National and chaired the advisory board which connected her to students across the US and Canada where she organized and promoted student leading programs in activism, leadership, spiritual guidance, and helped organize regional and national conferences. Her passion in connecting people and resources led her to form her own company, Lina Hashem PR. Her first client was Zarqa Nawaz, creator of the Canadian hit sitcom, ‘Little Mosque on the Prairie’. Through Lina Hashem PR, Lina has represented authors, social media personalities, and organized speaking tours and events.
Secretary: Saman Quraeshi
Program Director
Ikram Foundation
Herndon, VA
Saman Quraeshi is the Program Director at Ikram Foundation. She received her Bachelors at the University of North Florida in Communications, and is currently pursuing her masters in Social Work and Conflict Analysis. Saman is interested in gender based violence and healthy relationships. She has been working in the non-profit sector for over 10 years and feels passionately about the empowerment of Muslim women. She worked for the national civil rights organization, CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations), as the Community Relations Director, and was also the youngest board member for the Jacksonville chapter of The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ).
Program Director
Ikram Foundation
Herndon, VA
Saman Quraeshi is the Program Director at Ikram Foundation. She received her Bachelors at the University of North Florida in Communications, and is currently pursuing her masters in Social Work and Conflict Analysis. Saman is interested in gender based violence and healthy relationships. She has been working in the non-profit sector for over 10 years and feels passionately about the empowerment of Muslim women. She worked for the national civil rights organization, CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations), as the Community Relations Director, and was also the youngest board member for the Jacksonville chapter of The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ).
Treasurer: Lena Albibi
Civil Servant
Fairfax County Government in the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs
Fairfax, VA
Lena Albibi attended Florida State University, where she obtained a BA in Communication. Lena then pursued her MA at Georgetown University in International Affairs, and earned a JD in 2012 from Pace University School of Law. Lena is a civil servant that works for Fairfax County Government in the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs and focuses on civil rights, specifically Employment, Housing, and Public Accommodations discrimination. She also serves as the Lead Advisor to the Fairfax County Student Human Rights Commission. Lena has been widely recognized for her volunteer efforts in volunteering as an attorney at Dulles Airport assisting passengers who had been affected by the Trump Administration’s travel ban.
Civil Servant
Fairfax County Government in the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs
Fairfax, VA
Lena Albibi attended Florida State University, where she obtained a BA in Communication. Lena then pursued her MA at Georgetown University in International Affairs, and earned a JD in 2012 from Pace University School of Law. Lena is a civil servant that works for Fairfax County Government in the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs and focuses on civil rights, specifically Employment, Housing, and Public Accommodations discrimination. She also serves as the Lead Advisor to the Fairfax County Student Human Rights Commission. Lena has been widely recognized for her volunteer efforts in volunteering as an attorney at Dulles Airport assisting passengers who had been affected by the Trump Administration’s travel ban.
Board Member: Sana Ahmed
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Stanford Children's Health
Palo Alto, CA
Sana Ahmed, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker currently working at Stanford Children's Hospital in the nation's first specialty outpatient PANS clinic, where she is the primary psychotherapist for all clinic patients. She is currently also a Wellness Clinician at Ta’leef Collective in the Bay Area. Sana was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and received her undergraduate degree in Communications from NYU and a Masters' degree in Social Work from Columbia University. She has prior experience providing therapy to women with disabilities ages 18-70 at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, working with at-risk children in a public middle school in the Bronx, and conducting group therapy for adolescents and adults in a psychiatric hospital's intensive outpatient program (IOP) in MO. She has worked with children, young adults, and families over a broad spectrum of issues including domestic abuse, depression, anxiety, OCD, and eating restriction. Sana practices CBT and ERP with her current patients as well as pulling techniques from a variety of other therapies. One of the main driving forces that landed Sana to become a psychotherapist was to help lift the stigma around help-seeking behaviors for mental health and domestic abuse related issues within the Muslim community.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Stanford Children's Health
Palo Alto, CA
Sana Ahmed, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker currently working at Stanford Children's Hospital in the nation's first specialty outpatient PANS clinic, where she is the primary psychotherapist for all clinic patients. She is currently also a Wellness Clinician at Ta’leef Collective in the Bay Area. Sana was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and received her undergraduate degree in Communications from NYU and a Masters' degree in Social Work from Columbia University. She has prior experience providing therapy to women with disabilities ages 18-70 at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, working with at-risk children in a public middle school in the Bronx, and conducting group therapy for adolescents and adults in a psychiatric hospital's intensive outpatient program (IOP) in MO. She has worked with children, young adults, and families over a broad spectrum of issues including domestic abuse, depression, anxiety, OCD, and eating restriction. Sana practices CBT and ERP with her current patients as well as pulling techniques from a variety of other therapies. One of the main driving forces that landed Sana to become a psychotherapist was to help lift the stigma around help-seeking behaviors for mental health and domestic abuse related issues within the Muslim community.
Advisory Board
Advisory Board & Director of Training: Salma Abugideiri
Licensed Profesional Counselor
McLean, VA
Salma Elkadi Abugideiri is a founding board member of PFP, currently serving on the Advisory Board and as the primary trainer for PFP programs. She provides workshops and training for community leaders, imams, faith communities, domestic violence service providers and mental health professionals on Healthy Relationship Dynamics, Muslim Mental Health and Domestic Violence Prevention. She has presented at national and international conferences on these topics. Among her numerous publications in the fields of domestic violence and mental health, she authored the facilitator guide for the training program Garments for One Another: Ending Domestic Violence in Muslim Families, and the chapter entitled Domestic Violence in Counseling Muslims: Handbook of Mental Health Issues & Interventions. She has co-authored What Islam Says About Domestic Violence: A Guide for Helping Muslim Families, and Before You Tie the Knot: A Guide for Couples. Salma is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice, specializing in couples counseling and the treatment of trauma. Her passions include the prevention of relationship and mental health issues, and integrating spirituality into prevention and treatment approaches.
Advisory Board: Mona Malik
Mona Malik served as the President of Peaceful Families Project (PFP) from 2010-2017. As a social worker with over 15 years of experience, she has worked with abused children, recent immigrants, youth and victims of domestic violence. She is a Founding Member of Muslim Mothers Against Violence (MMAV). MMAV educates communities about bullying and teaches nonviolent conflict resolution skills to Muslim teenagers. Ms. Malik serves on the Virginia State Board of Social Services. She serves as a Commissioner for the County Office of Human Rights in Fairfax County, VA. She serves as a Board Member for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Museum in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Ms. Malik serves as a Board member for the Duke Islamic Studies Center. Ms. Malik received her M.A. and B.A. degrees in Social Work from the University of Cincinnati. She resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and three children.
Mona Malik served as the President of Peaceful Families Project (PFP) from 2010-2017. As a social worker with over 15 years of experience, she has worked with abused children, recent immigrants, youth and victims of domestic violence. She is a Founding Member of Muslim Mothers Against Violence (MMAV). MMAV educates communities about bullying and teaches nonviolent conflict resolution skills to Muslim teenagers. Ms. Malik serves on the Virginia State Board of Social Services. She serves as a Commissioner for the County Office of Human Rights in Fairfax County, VA. She serves as a Board Member for the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Museum in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Ms. Malik serves as a Board member for the Duke Islamic Studies Center. Ms. Malik received her M.A. and B.A. degrees in Social Work from the University of Cincinnati. She resides in Northern Virginia with her husband and three children.
Advisory Board: Irfana Anwer
Pakistan Team leader
The Institute for Inclusive Security
Washington, DC
Irfana Anwer was recently the Pakistan Program Associate at Inclusive Security, where she increased the capacity of women leaders to enhance peace and security so that they can take an active part in countering violent extremism in their country. Previously, Irfana was Director of the Language Access program at Ayuda, a legal services organization in Washington, DC. She also represented women in matters of humanitarian-based immigration law. Prior to her position at Ayuda, Irfana was Director of the Family Law Division, at Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, an international human rights organization in Washington, DC. Irfana has worked for over 10 years on issues of interfaith dialogue, violence and gender in Muslim communities.
Pakistan Team leader
The Institute for Inclusive Security
Washington, DC
Irfana Anwer was recently the Pakistan Program Associate at Inclusive Security, where she increased the capacity of women leaders to enhance peace and security so that they can take an active part in countering violent extremism in their country. Previously, Irfana was Director of the Language Access program at Ayuda, a legal services organization in Washington, DC. She also represented women in matters of humanitarian-based immigration law. Prior to her position at Ayuda, Irfana was Director of the Family Law Division, at Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, an international human rights organization in Washington, DC. Irfana has worked for over 10 years on issues of interfaith dialogue, violence and gender in Muslim communities.
Advisory Board: Altaf Husain
Altaf Husain is a native of Cleveland, Ohio , and a double alumnus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland , Ohio , having earned his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and his M.S. in Social Work. He received his Ph.D. in Social Work from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Husain's research interests include the mental health and integration of immigrant and refugee families, and especially Muslim adolescents, in the United States. He serves as Vice President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and an advisory board member of the Peaceful Families Project - dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence. His past service to the community includes serving as a two-term national president of the Muslim Students Association (MSA National), an executive committee member of the Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), a board member of the Peaceful Families Project and board member then Vice President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Dr. Husain and his family live in Northern Virginia.
Altaf Husain is a native of Cleveland, Ohio , and a double alumnus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland , Ohio , having earned his B.S. in Biomedical Engineering and his M.S. in Social Work. He received his Ph.D. in Social Work from Howard University in Washington, D.C. Dr. Husain's research interests include the mental health and integration of immigrant and refugee families, and especially Muslim adolescents, in the United States. He serves as Vice President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and an advisory board member of the Peaceful Families Project - dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence. His past service to the community includes serving as a two-term national president of the Muslim Students Association (MSA National), an executive committee member of the Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA), a board member of the Peaceful Families Project and board member then Vice President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Dr. Husain and his family live in Northern Virginia.
Advisory Board: Lubabah Abdullah
Executive Director of CAIR-Houston
Lubabah Abdullah serves as the Executive Director of CAIR-Houston. Prior to joining Cair-Houston, Lubabah was a practicing attorney in St. Louis, Missouri, where she has served many families in the areas of Islamic estate planning, family based immigration and family law for the past 10 years. Before starting her own firm, her journey began with Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, where she counseled women on the interplay between Islamic law and civil law, especially in matters pertaining to family law. Later, she served as the Executive Director of the Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI), where she spent most of her time developing and overseeing 4 legal programs including a modest means legal clinic, a refugee legal assistance program, a protection order project and immigration services for victims of domestic violence through one of the only Family Justice Center's in the US. She organized trainings and served as a speaker on domestic violence, immigration law, Islam and Muslims. Today, she also serves on the boards of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and her Islamic school in St. Louis.
Executive Director of CAIR-Houston
Lubabah Abdullah serves as the Executive Director of CAIR-Houston. Prior to joining Cair-Houston, Lubabah was a practicing attorney in St. Louis, Missouri, where she has served many families in the areas of Islamic estate planning, family based immigration and family law for the past 10 years. Before starting her own firm, her journey began with Karamah: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, where she counseled women on the interplay between Islamic law and civil law, especially in matters pertaining to family law. Later, she served as the Executive Director of the Muslim Alliance of Indiana (MAI), where she spent most of her time developing and overseeing 4 legal programs including a modest means legal clinic, a refugee legal assistance program, a protection order project and immigration services for victims of domestic violence through one of the only Family Justice Center's in the US. She organized trainings and served as a speaker on domestic violence, immigration law, Islam and Muslims. Today, she also serves on the boards of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and her Islamic school in St. Louis.