The ECMC is pleased to announce its newly elected Board of Directors:
Yasmeen Nizam
Chair
Yasmeen is a lawyer with professional experience at both local and international law firms. She has served on the Board of the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities for approximately 20 years, with a focus on education and interfaith relations, and most recently in the role of Vice Chair. She is the first woman to be appointed Chair of the Council.
Nashir Karmali
Vice- Chair
Nashir was a founding member of ECMC after 9/11 and its first Education Chair. He has also served as ECMC Secretary and Education Chair a second time after going overseas for volunteer work. Nashir previously served as Education Board Chair and Honorary Secretary on the Ismaili Council for Edmonton and Member of the Aga Khan Conciliation and Arbitration Board. He also served as Vice Chair and Member on the Edmonton Public Library Board for 6 years.
Qaseem Khan
Secretary
Qaseem was trained as a Civil Engineer in Pakistan and moved to Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1967 where he finished M.E. and Ph.D. from McGill University. He served various industries in Quebec and Alberta and retired in 2004. He has been involved with several charitable organizations in Alberta including, COIN, IFSSA, HDF and ECMC. He has served as Secretary of ECMC for the past four years.
Maqsood Alam
Treasurer
Masood Peracha
Chair Emeritus
Najma Kharadi
Education Portfolio Chair
Najma Kharadi represents the Edmonton Council of Muslim Communities (ECMC) through Markaz ul Islam. She works in public education and is passionate about contributing to meaningful conversations and positive change centered on anti-racism, reconciliation, and equity. She has built strong relationships with decision-makers who listen to community concerns and work toward constructive change. Najma also collaborates with various committees to address misconceptions and promote greater understanding of Muslims in the city.
Iqbal Watoo
Public Policy Chair
Riffat Aziz
Inter-faith Portfolio Chair
Riffat has served Treasurer of the ECMC for four years and has more recently undertaken the role of Chair for Interfaith Relations. She actively supports ECMC through panel moderation, event hosting, and playing a key role in program coordination. Her steady leadership and presence have contributed significantly to the success and growth of ECMC’s community engagement efforts. She also volunteers extensively with ISIA, where she previously served as the Principal of the Sunday School, guiding educational programming and fostering a nurturing environment for young learners.
Neelam Janjua
Peace and Security Portfolio Chair
Aziza Jivraj
Communications Portfolio Chair
Aziza is a Certified Management Consultant and a community volunteer serving as a board member on Edmonton’s Ismaili Tariqah and Religious Education Board (ITREB) and has been ECMC’s Communications Portfolio Chair for the last 4 years. During her IT career with the Alberta Public Service, she held several senior executive roles including Alberta Education’s Chief Information Officer.