About Us
Our Mission
We’re on a mission to answer the call of our faith in caring for orphans by improving the lives of all Muslim foster children. We do this by supporting the foster families who care for them, through community education, support networks, and advocacy.
Our Story
Imagine a child being removed from his/her home because of neglect, abuse, war, or another tragedy just to be placed with a family that does not share their faith, culture, or language.
Unfortunately, that is the reality for many Muslim children that through no fault of their own, enter a foster care system that is unfamiliar with their faith, and have very few licensed Muslim foster homes to go to. This concern was what drew together mothers Ranya Shbeib and Sameena Zahoor, the founders of Muslim Foster Care Association.
Ranya and Sameena soon realized that there needed to be an easier way for Muslim foster families to connect with one another for advice and support. They also recognized that there were many Muslim foster children being placed in homes of other faiths, because of the lack of licensed Muslim foster families available.
Although there were many Muslim social service organizations in Michigan providing great services to our communities, none focused on foster care.
Starting from providing networking and support to Muslim foster families, to being a valued partner and resource for all the major placement agencies in Michigan, there has been no looking back for the MFCA.
Since then, we have dynamically expanded our services and our outreach across Michigan, created programs to serve Muslim foster children and those who care for them, and helped hundreds of Muslim children in the foster care system feel supported and cared for.
Our Impact
At the Muslim Foster Care Association, we strive to enable Muslim children in the foster care system to thrive, flourish and be their best as human beings, Muslims, and contributing members of society. Every year we serve over 200 Muslim children in the foster care system throughout Michigan and with the help of our generous donors, raise thousands of dollars to fund our programs. Our goal is to create innovative solutions to the challenges faced by Muslim youth in various stages of their transition.
Stories of Impact
Here are some of our stories highlighting how the MFCA impacts youth’s journeys through the foster care system.
Meet the Staff
Shereen Abunada
Director of Operations
Shereen Abunada serves as Director of Operations at the Muslim Foster Care Association. In her role at MFCA, she works with the team to oversee the day to day operations, help to educate prospective foster parents on the licensing process, and manage various projects to assist foster youth and support foster families. She holds an honors degree in Communications and Public relations.
Shona Siddiqui
Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program Coordinator
Shona oversees the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors program at the MFCA. She works to support the Muslim-identified youth who find themselves in the foster care system. In this role she coordinates resources for foster youth who wish to continue the cultural and spiritual practices of their Muslim tradition, including coordinating access to places of worship and halal foods and offering workshops for foster families and agency staff to provide them with the knowledge they need to support their Muslim charges. She also coordinates and leads cultural programs to help them as they transition to life in a new environment and work towards becoming independent. Shona is a lifelong educator who is passionate about building connections that support young people as they grow into themselves.
Khadija Moiz
Executive Director
Khadija Moiz, MEd, alumni of the University of Michigan, is a native Michigander who relocated back to metro Detroit in 2019. Passionate about working with Muslim organizations and giving back to the greater Muslim community, Khadija dedicated more than half of her career to Islamic schools as an educator and administrator. Khadija’s most prominent characteristic is the ability to be a trailblazer which has resulted in advancement and swift promotions throughout her career. As MFCA Executive Director, Khadija brings over 10 years of executive leadership coupled with the ability to be a visionary, allowing her to execute the mission of the MFCA.
Nabila Ikram
Social Media Coordinator
Nabila Ikram serves the MFCA as the Social Media Coordinator. In the past, she was involved with foster care in various capacities, such as a volunteer, tutor, and through outreach efforts. After a few years of living abroad, Nabila returned to the U.S. and found herself reunited with the foster care cause. At the MFCA, her role is to highlight and support the work being done and ensure the community is informed and engaged. Nabila has provided marketing and administrative services to various small and large nonprofits and businesses locally and beyond, bringing in years of experience in digital marketing and business support.
Maliha Raza Khan
Development Coordinator
Maliha Raza Khan serves as the West Michigan Liaison and Development Coordinator at MFCA. She implements various recruitment programs to increase the number of Muslim foster families, provides networking, support and ongoing consultation and education for staff and families of Muslim foster youth, and manages the Mentorship program at MFCA. She holds a Masters degree in Applied Clinical Psychology and has extensive experience in nonprofit management and Organization Development which she brings to her role.
Mona Musaid
Domestic Foster Care Program Coordinator
Mona Musaid joined MFCA as the Domestic Foster Care Program Coordinator. Although Mona comes to us from the corporate world, she has personal experience navigating the foster care system. Mona has been a long time advocate of foster care and is dedicated and determined to ensure that Muslim children in foster care receive the services they need and that their foster families receive the support they need. Her lifetime goal is to revive the beautiful sunnah (prophetic tradition) of kafala (foster care).
Meet the Board
Dr. Sameena Zahoor
Dr. Sameena Zahoor and her husband with 3 boys of their own, have been licensed foster parents since 2012. They have fostered several Muslim foster youth over the years, ranging in the ages of 1 to 15 years old. They currently provide respite care for Muslim foster families, in addition to being actively involved in their local Masjid. Dr. Zahoor has been involved in multiple health educational initiatives in her community and served on her MCWS community’s Covid Task Force during the pandemic. She continues to practice as a Family Physician, in addition regularly volunteering at a local free medical clinic for adults who are uninsured. Dr. Zahoor co-founded the Muslim Foster Care Association with Ranya Shbeib in 2016, and remains an active Board member, CFO and spokesperson in the organization.
Ranya Shbeib
Ranya Shbeib is a licensed foster parent, loving mom to 3 children of her own, and the co-founder of Muslim Foster Care Association along with Sameena Zahoor. Over the years she and her family have welcomed several foster children into their caring home – both domestic and refugee. Ranya has a background in education and has worked as a teacher, principal, and school board member. She has spoken at many community events and is a devoted voice for Muslim foster youth at various levels in the foster care system. Ranya holds a Masters degree in Public Health in Community and Family Health Education.
Gina Shkoukani
Gina Shkoukani serves on the board of the Muslim Foster Care Association advising the organization on various legal issues.Gina is an estate planning attorney at Neal, Geber & Eisenberg LLP in Chicago, Illinois. Gina grew up in Southeast Michigan. She received her Bachelor’s Degree and Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. In addition to her involvement with the Muslim Foster Care Association, Gina also serves on the Young Professional Board of the Gateway Foundation and advises various non-profit organizations.
Media Features
West Michigan Agency in "dire need" of foster parents for Afghan kids
Muslims in Foster Care Need Exposure
Muslim kids lost in Michigan foster care system for lack of Muslim homes
Volunteers deliver gifts so 'no kid is without an Eid'
Bethany Christian Services in need of foster families for Afghan children
Whitmer Announces Members of First-Ever Michigan Parents' Council
Contact Us
Do you have questions or want to join the cause?
MFCA wants to hear from you!
Telephone: 248-242-7244
Email: mfca@muslimfostercare.org
Address: PO Box 7836, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Tax ID: EIN# 81-3658772