About Us

Dr. Zahoor and her husband have been involved in foster care and foster care advocacy for more than a decade. Licensed foster parents from 2012–2025, they welcomed several Muslim foster youth into their home ranging in age from 6 months to 18 years old. Together with their three adult sons, they viewed fostering as a family commitment and are grateful for the many lessons, relationships, and experiences that fostering brought into their lives.

Dr. Zahoor continues to support foster youth and families through respite care, mentoring, and community involvement. As a Co-Founder and Board Member of the Muslim Foster Care Association (MFCA), she remains actively involved in advancing the organization's mission to recruit, support, and empower Muslim foster families while helping Muslim children in care maintain connections to their faith, culture, and community.

A Family Medicine physician practicing in the Northville area, Dr. Zahoor is a longtime active member of the Muslim Community of Western Suburbs (MCWS). Outside of her medical practice, she has been involved in numerous community service initiatives, including many years as a volunteer physician at Hope Clinic, a free clinic serving the greater community.

Ranya and her husband have been licensed foster parents since 2015 and are parents to three children of their own. They have welcomed both domestic and refugee foster youth, from 3 months to 18 years old, into their home, and also provide respite care for youth needing temporary placement. In addition to fostering, Ranya mentors local foster youth, supporting their growth and journey to independence.

Ranya's advocacy extends beyond her own home. Since 2020, she has served on the State of Michigan's Foster Care Review Board, reviewing foster care cases and providing independent recommendations to the courts on children's safety, well-being, and permanency planning. As Board Chairperson, she also leads appeal hearings, where foster parents can challenge agency decisions about a child's placement.

Ranya brings a background in education and public health to her advocacy work, having served as a teacher, principal, and school board member. She has also served for many years in the Bloomfield Hills School District, where she completed Global Champion training and helped advance the district's equity and inclusion initiatives. Through her professional expertise, volunteer leadership, and personal experience as a foster parent, Ranya is a dedicated advocate for the wellbeing of children.

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, Gerber & 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.

As Executive Director of the Muslim Foster Care Association, Khatija leads with heart and purpose bringing over 10 years of executive leadership to a mission she believes in deeply: making sure every Muslim child in foster care feels seen, valued, and connected to their faith and identity.

A native Michigander, Khatija returned home to metro Detroit in 2019, bringing with her more than a decade of experience in Islamic schools, where she worked as both an educator and administrator. It was there, working closely with Muslim children and families, that she found her calling to serve the broader community in an even deeper way. Under Khatija's leadership, MFCA has grown its programs, deepened its partnerships, and expanded its reach; always staying true to one simple goal: that every Muslim child in foster care is met with dignity, belonging, and a sense of home.

At the end of the day, Khatija is a mom and community member first. She carries the same love and care she gives her own family into her work at MFCA, believing that every child no matter their story; deserves to feel safe, valued, and loved.

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.

Shaikh Ahmed, a Brooklyn native and linguistics enthusiast, holds a BA in Sociolinguistics from Wayne State University, currently pursuing a Masters in Linguistics. With a six-year teaching background, he transitioned into aiding refugees and at-risk youth. In his dual role as Program Manager at the Muslim Foster Care Association and Employment Specialist at Catholic Charities, Shaikh combines linguistic expertise with a passion for community service.

Notably, he has successfully resettled 20 refugee families, demonstrating his commitment to making a positive impact on lives. Beyond his professional endeavors, Shaikh Ahmed finds joy in collecting 5th-century Arabian poems. His unique hobby of preserving these historical verses reflects both his love for linguistics and a deep appreciation for cultural heritage.

Shaikh Ahmed's dynamic career showcases his versatility, teaching acumen, and dedication to humanitarian causes.

Sana Haq is an educator and previous school leader who deeply believes in the power of young people when they are truly seen, heard, and supported. Working with youth is more than a career for her; it is her purpose and the driving force behind her work. Throughout her journey as a high school science teacher and vice principal, she has focused on building meaningful relationships, removing barriers to success, and helping students recognize their strengths even when they struggle to see them themselves.

She now serves as the Domestic Foster Care Program Manager, where she is especially passionate about working with foster youth and their families to help create stability, trust, and opportunity during critical moments in their lives. Sana is committed to creating supportive, nurturing environments where every child feels valued, capable and inspired to grow.

Chiffa Abdallah Hassan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with an interdisciplinary focus from Michigan State University. A survivor of the Darfur genocide, she is a co-founder of the Najwa Foundation, where she supports children and widows in Sudan and assists newly arrived refugees and families in the United States.

Chiffa has held numerous coordinator and managerial roles, demonstrating strong leadership, organizational, and program development skills. She is deeply committed to creating inclusive spaces for Muslim communities and empowering youth. She serves as the Lead Coordinator for the Halimah Project and has been a trailblazer in community organizing, including helping establish the first Muslim sorority at Michigan State University. She is driven by a strong commitment to making a lasting, positive impact within the Muslim community.

Rand serves as the Administrative Assistant at the Muslim Foster Care Association. With a three-year background as an RBT and over six years of experience in customer service, she specializes in helping children thrive through patience, understanding, and a commitment to meeting their unique needs. Currently a Psychology student, Rand focuses on the intersection of mental health and community service, ensuring that Muslim foster youth receive care that respects their faith and identity.

Outside of her work at MFCA, Rand enjoys a variety of creative hobbies, including crocheting, sticker-booking, and taking her cats on outdoor walks. Rand is committed to providing the compassionate, individualized support necessary to help the community’s vulnerable populations succeed.

Asmira is the IL Project Manager at the Muslim Foster Care Association. She holds a BBA in Human Resource Management and is deeply passionate about building strong relationships, supporting individuals and families, and creating a meaningful community impact. Asmira is grateful to be part of an organization dedicated to serving foster youth and strengthening the community.

Baian Tbakhi serves as the Marketing Coordinator at the Muslim Foster Care Association. In her role, she oversees day-to-day digital marketing operations, creates engaging content, and spearheads awareness initiatives to support foster youth and families. Her work is backed by over a decade of experience as an educator, school administrator, youth leader, and non-profit marketing manager dedicated to empowering Muslim youth. She holds degrees in both Psychology and Chemistry.

Aleena Khan is the Marketing Intern at the Muslim Foster Care Organization, where she supports the organization's digital marketing efforts and online engagement. She graduated from Wayne State University with a bachelor's degree in Marketing and Supply Chain Management. In her role, she assists in the planning and production of weekly digital content to maintain a cohesive and engaging social media presence.

She enjoys leveraging creative storytelling and strategic communication to expand community outreach and raise awareness of the organization's work. She is dedicated to supporting initiatives that foster meaningful engagement and strengthen the organization's impact.