MEET THE TEAM

Emad Sabbah is a Georgia-based entrepreneur and philanthropist with over 30 years of leadership in community development, education, and humanitarian outreach. Deeply rooted in Georgia’s civic and nonprofit sectors, Emad has founded and served on the boards of several impactful organizations, including ILM Academy, Atlanta Mentorship, Janaza Services of Georgia, CAIR-GA, and The Table. His efforts have helped shape critical local services in education, advocacy, and faith-based support.

Over the years, Emad has organized and chaired more than 100 events across Georgia, ranging from interfaith dialogues to youth mentorship and refugee assistance programs. Among his standout initiatives are Rings for the Champions, a celebration of refugee athletes at Clarkston High School, and Georgia Muslims Stand with San Bernardino, a powerful statewide act of solidarity.

He is also the founder of Georgians for Refugees, which later became the Atlanta chapter of the Syrian Community Network—providing direct support to displaced Syrians both locally and abroad. His global humanitarian work spans disaster relief and fundraising efforts in Syria, Turkey, Morocco, Sudan, Libya, and Pakistan. In honor of Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, he established a scholarship to continue her legacy of truth and resilience.

Emad’s lifelong commitment to service has earned him recognition as one of Georgia’s most influential Muslims and a respected voice for justice, unity, and compassion.

A pediatrician by profession and a humanitarian at heart, Mona brings a deep personal commitment to uplifting vulnerable communities.

Before founding Ethaar, Mona worked closely with refugee families on an individual level, providing essential social support. Her dedication to this work led her to help launch the Atlanta chapter of the Syrian Community Network—an initiative that ultimately laid the foundation for Ethaar’s broader vision and impact.

Her leadership continues to shape Ethaar’s growth as a trusted organization focused on dignity, empowerment, and long-term resilience for those forced to rebuild their lives far from home.

Azka is an advocate for human and civil rights. She has a background in research, policy analysis, and social inequalities. Azka believes in creating research-informed social change and policy reform. Azka’s focus is on American Muslims, their full and meaningful participation in society, and their engagement in the political spheres.

Nada Adam is a Syrian American Lawyer from Cleveland, now residing in Georgia. She practiced law in Georgia until 2001.She has served on several nonprofit governing boards, including Amana Academy Charter School and Syrian Community Network, Atlanta Chapter.

Umber’s earliest work after moving to Georgia was with the refugee community in Clarkston, specifically Afghani children. She continues to work with and support relief, education, and advocacy organizations whose aim it is to empower refugees.

Shazia Akbar is a dedicated community advocate and long-time supporter of Ethaar. With a strong commitment to social impact and service, she brings compassion and insight to her role on the board.

Kinda was the founder and the program manager of the Women and Refugees Advocacy Program at Texas Muslim Women’s Foundation (TMWF) before joining Ethaar. Before joining TMWF as an  Operations Manager, she was the Regional Director for Malikah, where she provided self-defense training, economic empowerment, and healing spaces for girls and women to enhance their feeling of safety within their communities. She also worked with the IGNITE organization to show young girls how to leverage their unique experiences and values to acquire political power and shape policies that would benefit their communities. Shortly after Kinda arrived in the United States, she led the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) Community Adjustment Support Group in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from Damascus University, Kinda worked as a program assistant for (8) years with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Syria. Kinda left the UNFPA for a master’s in Development at Dublin City University (DCU) in Ireland. 

Saraj Hameed brings over a decade of experience in program coordination, humanitarian assistance, and community development, with a proven track record of impactful leadership in both local and international settings. His career includes key roles with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and World Bank-funded projects. In these roles, Saraj led initiatives aimed at helping displaced populations and fostering local livelihoods. Notably, as a Regional Program Manager at Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), Saraj successfully managed multi-regional teams, executing programs focused on enhancing economic resilience and sustainable development. Amongst Saraj's many skills is financial tracking, grant management, team supervision, and partnership development.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and boasts a range of certifications in project management, data analysis, and technical support.

Now, he applies his extensive expertise and passion to advancing Ethaar’s mission, empowering newcomer families across Georgia as they navigate the challenges of resettlement and integration.