Meet the people helping bring the LHP’s mission to life. United by common values, our team works together to create opportunities and programs that empower Muslim Americans to lead, grow, and make a lasting impact.
The People Behind the Mission
Meet the Board
Farris Barakat
Founding Board Member
Farris Barakat was born and raised in Raleigh, NC to Syrian immigrants. He graduated from North Carolina State University with concentration in Entrepreneurship. Since then, he has continued to work internationally in bringing relief to Syrian refugees. Farris founded the Light House Project in hopes of reclaiming the Muslim American narrative in honor of his brother Deah Barakat. He has committed his career to bridging the gap of ignorance to further understanding.
Ibraheem Khalifa
Board Chairman
Ibraheem is father to four young children and joined the Light House as Board Chair when it was established in 2016. He’s called North Carolina home for 22 years and served at several local non-profit organizations, including the Raleigh Mosque, Muslim American Society and Habitat for Humanity. Ibraheem believes in creating opportunities for youth to feel welcomed and encouraged to grow through service to others and self-improvement.
Wajeha Barakat
Board Member
Wajeha Barakat is a Raleigh native whose passion lies in connecting the youth to their Islamic identity. She has taught Islamic studies and Quranic Arabic locally for over a decade. This has culminated into her development of "Sister Gigi", an Islamic Education channel on Youtube dedicated to Muslim children. You can find her leading the women's monthly Quran and Coffee on Sundays at LHP. Outside of her involvement at the LHP, Wajeha is a mom, wife, and Business Strategy Consultant at a local tech company.
Mansoor Kazi
Board Member
Mansoor moved to the Raleigh area in 2020 and immediately became connected with the Light house Project. He is committed to building healthy, vibrant communities that embody the Prophetic model, and has served on the board of several non-profit organizations, including Ta'leef Collective and Mozaic.
Meet the Staff
Nadia Khan
Executive Director
Nadia has been working in the nonprofit sector for over a decade and is passionate about serving the Muslim community. She earned a graduate degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Georgia. Nadia has been involved in various Muslim organizations since moving to the Triangle in 2008 and had perviously served on the Light House Project board since 2018. She took on the role of Executive Director in October 2021.
Mohsen Zakaib
Director of Development
Mohsen Zakaib is back at the LHP! But this time he's taking on a new role, Director of Development at the Light House Project. With a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Nuclear Engineering from NC State, a Bachelor's in Islamic Studies from Mishkah University, and ongoing studies as a 3rd year at Brody School of Medicine, in Islamic finance, and business, Mohsen brings a rare blend of academic excellence and spiritual grounding. He’s served in key leadership roles across North Carolina—including as Youth Director, co-founder of RISE and the Triangle Youth Council, and President of Mishkah’s Alumni Association. His work continues to center on empowering youth, advancing health equity, and building impactful, values-driven community initiatives.
Ayah Sheikh-Ahmad
Operations Manager
Ayah Sheikh-Ahmad is the Operations Manager at the LHP. She moved to Raleigh from the UAE in 2019 to go to NC State University. She graduated from NCSU in 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in English and a minor in Psychology. Other than her passion for grammar and editing, Ayah enjoys helping the people around her grow and change for the better. In her role at the LHP she is continuing in her efforts to make a positive impact wherever she goes and strengthening her community every day.
Ismaeel Ali
Program Manager
Currently pursuing a degree in Nutrition Sciences at NC State with aspirations in medicine, Ismaaeel brings both academic drive and community experience. He has spent the past four years serving in masajid, MSAs, and faith-based organizations, while pursuing a passion for Islamic studies with local scholarship. His work is dedicated to cultivating Islamic societal excellence—mobilizing the community toward noble pursuits. We are blessed to have him join the LHP team!
Hafsah Kurtpinar
Social Media Coordinator
Hafsah Kurtpinar currently serves as the Social Media Coordinator at the Light House Project. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from North Carolina Central University. With a strong background in digital strategy, she supports organizations throughout the NC Triangle as a Digital Marketing Coordinator and Creative Director, helping them expand their reach and deepen their impact.
Passionate about nonprofit work, Hafsah is especially dedicated to empowering youth-centered organizations that foster a deep connection to the deen and sense of belonging. Her mission is to nurture confident, purpose-driven Muslims who become guiding lights in their communities. At the Light House, she is committed to advancing this mission and furthering the Light House's goal to build a lasting, empowered ummah.
Sophie Khan
Membership Coordinator
Sophia, a North Carolina native, holds a Bachelor's degree in Cognitive Psychology from North Carolina State University, where she focused her efforts on conducting research to reduce cognitive load among physicians. She furthered her education by earning a Master of Health Administration degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and has since built a solid reputation with over three years of experience in healthcare strategy, consulting, project management, and digital transformation. Outside of her professional career, Sophia dedicates a significant portion of her time to community service. She has been actively involved as a key member and volunteer at Taleef in Chicago, where she strived to create a hospitable and welcoming environment for all. Additionally, Sophia has served as the youngest Executive Director on the WakeMed Volunteer board demonstrating her commitment to giving back and making a positive impact within her community. Sophia is passionate about infusing the Light House Project with love and kindness and currently serves as the Programs Coordinator, where she endeavors to bring these values to fruition, ensuring that the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and inclusive for all who enter.