SCHOOL STAFF
Meet the Team
Principal
Nabeela Syed
Nabeela Syed serves as the Principal for the Mohammad Webb Youth Sunday Program for the 5th year consecutive year. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, she moved to Chicago at the age of 13 and has lived here since then. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Arts of Social Science with a concentration in Early Education, and a post-bachelor degree in communication disorders and speech-language pathology. She does therapy part time and works full time in medical sales for a biopharmaceutical company in post organ transplant care. Nabeela also committed two years of teaching services to Webb Foundation and taught Seerah class for 4th/5th grade and Islamic Studies for 6th/7th grade. She enjoys working with children and adults and looks forward to working with Webb staff as a support and encouragement to help make teaching faith exciting and fun. Nabeela newly resides in Naperville and is a proud mama of a Freshman in College and Freshman in Highschool.
Vice Principal
Yasmin Ayyad
Yasmin Ayyad has a bachelors degree in special education. She taught students who need social & emotional support for 3 years. She was born a son raised in Illinois before moving abroad to Palestine to teach English to native Arabic speakers for 8 years. Yasmin has worked with almost all grade levels and had a huge passion for learning and personal development. She is a mama of 3 and enjoys fitness and reading in her spare time.
Arabic Teachers
Yasmin Ayyad
Beginner Level
Yasmin Ayyad has a bachelors degree in special education. She taught students who need social & emotional support for 3 years. She was born a son raised in Illinois before moving abroad to Palestine to teach English to native Arabic speakers for 8 years. Yasmin has worked with almost all grade levels and had a huge passion for learning and personal development. She is a mama of 3 and enjoys fitness and reading in her spare time.
Lama Sharaf
Intermediate Level
Asalamualaikum! My name is Lama Sharaf and I will be teaching Quran and Arabic for kindergarten - 3rd grade. I was born and raised in Syria, Arabic being my native language. I have been teaching it at Webb Foundation for the last 9 years. I love teaching because of all the learning, exploring, and the fun, new experiences we get to have together. I can’t wait to help my students learn to recognize Arabic letters and start reading! Looking forward to a wonderful year ahead of us and can’t wait to spend it learning and having fun with you!
Fatma Alzahara Hussein
Advanced Level
Fatma Alzahara Hussein is a Benedictine University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a minor in Arabic & Islamic Studies. At Benedictine University, Fatma served as the Interfaith and Ecumenical Coordinator in which she would serve as an ambassador to the campus for interfaith events. Outside of school, she is the Secretary at the Sudanese American Charity of Illinois. What interests Fatma the most is doing volunteer work. She loves to get involved with the community and stay connected to it. In her free time, she likes to meditate to diminish stress and engage herself spiritually. Fatma likes meeting new people and growing better connections with her surroundings. The quote that she lives upon is “Everything happens for a reason” in which she believes that people should be optimistic and focus only on the positive sides.
Islamic Studies Teachers
Shagufta Moinuddin
KG
My name is Shagufta Moinuddin, I’m a retired pharmacist, I have 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren. I have been taking tajweed and Quran recitation classes for over 3 years at Mecca Center. And am excited to be teaching at Webb foundation this year!
Afshan Haseeb
1st Grade
Asalamualaikum! I am Afshan Haseeb. I live in Naperville with my husband and two boys I love teaching , especially history Have taught American history to high schoolers and undergrads
Riva Mehmood
2nd Grade
Assalam Alaikum! My name is Riva Mehmood and I will be teaching the second-grade class this year. I was born and raised in Chicago, and love living here. I like reading, traveling, and going to the gym in my free time! I also have a pet kitty, named Cookie. I am passionate about Islamic studies and helping kids learn new skills and information that they can implement in their daily lives. I hope to create an inclusive and safe space for each and everyone. I'm also super excited to get to know everyone and guide each student through a successful school year!"
Onessa Mirza
3rd Grade
Asalam Alaikum! My name is Onessa Mirza and I will be a third-grade Islamic Studies teacher this school year. My parents immigrated from Pakistan right before I was born and we have lived in the Chicago suburbs ever since. I currently work at a law firm but aside from work, I like to hang out with my friends and family, spend time outside in nature, travel and bake new recipes. Because of my background in the legal field, I have always loved history and philosophy but recently I have been delving further into Islamic history and ethics. I’m excited to create a warm and welcoming environment for my students that is gentle and kind and am looking forward to teaching Islamic Studies and creating lasting relationships with everyone that I will meet!
Asma Zaman
4th Grade
Assalamualaikum everyone! My name is Asma Zaman and I've been living in the Chicago-land area since I was 5 years old. I've been working in the finance industry for over a year now. In my free time, I like to travel, cook new recipes, volunteer, learn about islam, and hang out with my friends and family. I've always loved spending time with kids, and have often been the go-to babysitter in my family. I look forward to combining that with my passion for islamic studies as the 4th grade teacher this year!"
Shama Ahmed
5th Grade
Shama Ahmed, a native of Toledo Ohio, has lived in the Chicago area for the last 20 years. She is currently a Staff Attorney at CARPLS legal Aid where she assists low-income clients with their legal issues. She is also a long-time volunteer with Pro Bono Network, an organization that connects attorneys with pro bono opportunities. Shama resides in Glen Ellyn, IL with her husband and 4 children, where she can often be found on the sidelines of her kids’ soccer games. As she joins the Sunday School staff this year, she hopes to play a small part in nurturing her students’ hearts for a life-long love of the Quran and our beautiful deen.
Saym Basheer
6th/7th Grade
Saym Basheer is a Pakistani-American immigrant. He has a Masters in Computer Science and work as a software development engineer at Nielsen. He enjoys the arts, logic, philosophy, and building things with his hands. His recent interest has been social and emotional intelligence. His goal for his class is that each student thinks critically about their faith and religious practices. By doing so, they will be able to create their own understanding of Islam and become a proud Muslim.
Teens Teacher
Sabahat Awais
Salam, my name is Sabahat Awais and I will be teens teacher this year. I grew up in Saudia Arabia and Pakistan and have been residing in Naperville with my family. I am currently working in a pharmaceutical company and love to read, meditate and travel. I have been teaching at Webb Foundation for past 6 years and have taught islamic studies to almost all age groups. I love connecting with children and encourage them to build their faith through critical thinking and positive mindset. I love the quote by Benjamin Franklin “ Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. I look forward to teaching students to build the connection with Allah (swt) and be proud muslims.
Dawood Ali
Dawood Ali was born in Iowa to a Christian American mother and a Muslim Indian father. He grew up as a practicing Muslim in Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois with an engineering degree. While his professional life has been involved with engineering and information technology, his personal life has been engaged in Islamic learning and teaching since his teenage years. He was actively involved in the operation of the Institute of Islamic Information and Education since its inception in 1986, eventually becoming its Managing Director. He has been the Director of the Muslim Youth Camp for the Muslim Community Center of Chicago for 15 years, teaching boys 12-18 years old about living life as a Muslim in America. He is currently a speaker for the Muslim community to a variety of audiences, educating the public about Islam and Muslims.