Our Team

Board Of Executives

Zia Ashraf
President
Zia is a recent graduate of Widener University Delaware Law School. Before going to Law School, he earned his Bachelor of Arts from Salisbury University, where he was a double major in Political Science and International Relations with a minor in Conflict Analysis Dispute Resolution, South Asian Studies, and Philosophy. He has been serving on a Board of Directors for over 4 years. Zia is an active community organizer as he is a member of the Hurlock Lion Club. Zia also serves on the Hurlock Town Ethics Commission. He was appointed as Vice-Chair for the Dorchester County, Police Accountability Board Administrative Charging Committee as of March 2024
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Raees Khan
Vice-President
Raees is a founder & Executive Director Greater Baltimore Muslims Council. He is an FBI Citizen Academy Alumni and holds a BSC in business administration
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Zunaira Awan
Secretary
As of July 2024, Zunaira Awan has been elected as the Secretary of the United Maryland Muslim Council (UMMC). Zunaira has demonstrated exceptional leadership as a Board of Directors for over six years and has been integral to the success of many of UMMC’s past initiatives. She has also served on the county level as the President of the Howard County Muslim Council (HCMC). She earned her Master of Arts degree in Organizational Psychology from McDaniel College and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Social Work from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). She works for the Federal Government. Zunaira is a native of MD and resides in Ellicott City with her husband and three children
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Malik Gulbaz
Treasurer
Malik Gul Baz is a businessman based out of Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Baz has nearly 50 years of hospitality experience having owned and operated multiple hotels in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. Mr. Baz currently serves as CEO of United Business Associates, a business brokerage based out of Baltimore
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Dr. Shahid Rafiq
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Dr. Shahid has been serving as the President of the United Maryland Muslim Council since 2020. Dr. Shahid Rafiq is a physician Entrepreneur, Founder/ CEO of a premier Neurology subspecialty group to practice expanding it to 12 providers, four offices in three counties of Maryland USA in a short span of 10 years. Dr. Rafiq is a Lifetime member of the APPNA (Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent in North America). He is a graduate of Rawalpindi Medical University. He has been President of RMCAANA (Rawalpindi Medical College Alumni Association of North America) since 2007 and a founding board member of RMCOF (Rawalpindi Medical College Overseas Foundation). He is an active community organizer recognized for his services to the community by Governor of Maryland Martin O'Malley. He is a National Board member of PAKPAC (Pakistan Political Action Committee). He serves on the board of AACF (Asian American Center of Frederick) and was a member of the transition team of Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater
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Board Of Directors

Amir Iqbal
Brand Ecologist | Creative Director
As a valued member of the Board of Directors, Mr. Iqbal has dedicated over 15 years to advancing UMMC’s mission. His leadership has been pivotal in orchestrating numerous successful fundraisers, food drives, early voting rallies, and Muslim legislative nights in Annapolis. His efforts have been crucial in fostering strong relationships between the Muslim community and elected officials at both the county and state levels. In his role as UMMC’s media coordinator, Mr. Iqbal has been at the forefront of crafting compelling press releases, newsletters, and social media content, effectively advocating for the community’s perspective. Additionally, as a branding expert and the creative director of DadTriad Brand Design Studio (dadtriad.com), Mr. Iqbal generously volunteers his expertise to enhance the branding of various Islamic organizations, including UMMC. His contributions have been instrumental in elevating the visibility and impact of these organizations
Shahan Rizvi
Community Organizer
Shahan Rizvi is a community organizer and public servant based out of Columbia, MD. He is former president of the Howard County Muslim Council, serves on the Board of Directors for the United Maryland Muslim Council and is the first South Asian and Muslim to be elected Chair of the Howard County Democratic Central Committee, serving the 2020-2022 term and re-elected Chair for the 2022-2024 term. Shahan’s work includes political advocacy, interfaith dialogues, and civic engagement. In his spare time, Shahan loves to spend time with his 7 year old Shanzay and his wife Nadia.
Syed Waseem Ul Haque
MD. President: Frederick County Muslim Council BOD. UMMC
Mr. Navaid Baqai
CEO
Navaid Baqai is a Subject Matter Expert in the Global Textile Supply Chain who have been in the Textile industry for more than 25 years in marketing, manufacturing, innovation, retail and academic. His experience encompasses most of the segments of textile value chain – from fiber to retail of packaged goods. He has travelled internationally and spoke to many executives and industry experts in various platforms for promoting US cotton and process optimization. He also teaches as an adjunct in a University in Maryland. Mr. Baqai also manages his own consulting business providing supply chain and sourcing solutions, risk assessment, product development, marketing of novel technologies, etc. He has been recently recognized by Marquis ‘Who’s Who in America’ as an expert in his field. He pushes and promotes novel technologies and solutions that are environmentally friendly alternatives in textile manufacturing. Mr. Baqai holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Textile Technology and Master’s degree in Textile Apparel Management from North Carolina State University, USA. He is very active in his community and volunteer work. He serves as an Executive Board member in a faith-based organization, United Maryland Muslim Council (UMMC), that interacts with the state legislators and functionaries to facilitate coordination and engagement with the community members highlighting their issues. He is also a board member of one of the oldest charity organization in the US, National Giving Alliance (NGA), that donates new clothing to underserved children and youth to boost their morale and confidence so they can feel empowered and achieve their true potential. He is also a founding member of an ethnic based organization which supports the education funding and economic assistance of disadvantaged people within that community
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