OUR TEAM

The dedicated hearts and hands
behind our mission

Empowering Our Community with Heartfelt Support

At Muslim Food Bank & Community Services, our true strength comes from the people who drive our mission—our passionate staff, generous volunteers, devoted leaders, and trusted partners. Together, they work relentlessly to elevate our community. We are honored to spotlight the remarkable individuals who bring our vision to life every day.

JOIN THE TEAM

Together, we rise by lifting others.

When we extend a helping hand, support one another, and uplift those in need,
we create a stronger, more connected community.

The Heart Behind the Mission

Meet The Team

Azim Dahya

CEO (Volunteer)

Bio

Azim Dahya

Azim Dahya, a Food Technologist (BSc), Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA) and Project Management Professional (PMP), is the volunteer CEO of Muslim Food Bank & Community Services. With over 30 years of experience in corporate and nonprofit leadership, he founded Muslim Food Bank & Community Services in 2010 to address food insecurity, poverty, and social challenges. Under his leadership, the organization has grown into a nationally recognized initiative providing food aid, refugee support, counseling, and mentorship to thousands in need. Azim also serves on nonprofit boards, including Vantage Point, Mennonite Museum Society, and Roots Community Health Centre, furthering his commitment to community empowerment. His dedication ensures that every dollar donated directly impacts lives, helping individuals and families achieve self-reliance and dignity.

Zebun Malik

VP, Food Bank Operations

Bio

Zebun Malik

With a lifelong dedication to community service, Zebun Malik began volunteering at the age of 13 in Kenya, serving as a leader, mentor, and motivator in the Girl Guides and Scouting movement. She later joined the Lions Club of Kenya, where she contributed to orphan care and various community projects. After moving to Canada in 1993, Zebun’s passion for supporting vulnerable communities led her to become president of a Low-Income Housing Cooperative in Coquitlam, where she also co-founded and developed a new housing project on Pine Tree Way to provide homes for low-income families.

In 2003, Zebun moved to Surrey, joining the Muslim Youth Centre, where she became a director. In 2010, she co-founded the Muslim Food Bank & Community Services Muslim Food Bank & Community Services and currently serves as the Vice President of Food Bank Operations, overseeing the distribution of critical support to families in need. Her extensive volunteer work includes roles as PAC Chair at Iqra Islamic School, a volunteer at the Surrey Food Bank, and founding director of Teach & Help Africa, an NGO focused on supporting orphans and communities in Kenya. Zebun’s unwavering dedication to service has positively impacted countless lives across the globe.

Mainu Ahmed

VP, ASPIRE Programs

Bio

Mainu Ahmed

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Mainu Ahmed pursued his education across Europe and the UK, earning a degree in Marketing & Management from Schiller University in Germany and a Bachelor of Accounting (Honours) from the University of Birmingham (UK). He further honed his expertise by training as a professional accountant at Deloitte & Touche Chartered Accountants in Birmingham. With a career spanning finance, retail, and healthcare, he has held key positions at Marks & Spencer, Woolworths, Best Buy Canada, and Great West Life Assurance, where he currently serves as Financial Manager, leading a team of 20 professionals.

Passionate about community service, Mainu has been involved with Muslim Food Bank & Community Services for nearly a decade, where he founded and oversees the ASPIRE program, a division dedicated to holistic social support. His contributions to diversity and community leadership were recognized in 2017 by the City of Surrey, profiling him as an inspirational leader. He also sits on various advisory committees, including the City of Surrey’s Local Immigration Partnership, Relevant High School’s Advisory Committee, and Cape Peninsula University’s Academic Advisory Committee. With additional training as a crisis counselor, Mainu has also volunteered as a telephone counselor for the Life Line Crisis Centre, further demonstrating his commitment to social impact.

Rafik Karwa

CFO

Bio

Rafik Karwa

Rafik graduated from Bombay University and then went on to do additional courses at York University in Toronto to complete his requirements for the CPA CA program. Rafik achieved an A+ average and was awarded multiple scholarships while he was at York University. He completed his education for the CA program in 2000 and his articleship at Arthur Andersen Canada. Rafik joined IBM Canada where he worked for 10 years in various roles.

Since 2012, he has been working independently with different clients specializing in the non-profit and small business sectors providing accounting, tax, organizational and business advisory services.

He volunteered as a Treasurer of the Surrey Food Bank and the PAC at Fraser Heights Secondary School from 2011 to 2014.

He was most recently Financial Controller at Indian Residential School Survivors Society, and has previously worked at Aboriginal Mother Centre and BC Aboriginal Child Care Society.

Khizer Daya

VP, Public Relations

Bio

Khizer Daya

Experienced business specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer products industry. Skilled in Tax Regulations, Project Management, Strategic Planning, and Accounting. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor’s degree focused in Economics from Simon Fraser University

Faisal Kharadi

Board Member

Bio

Faisal Kharadi

A strategic Support Manager with 15 years of experience providing customer support and leading technical and administrative teams within the hi-tech sector. Results oriented with broad experience in planning, business development and change management. Partners with leadership teams and collaborates effectively across organizations, locally and globally.

Tariq Tyab

Board Member

Bio

Tariq Tyab

Tariq Tyab is a visionary leader known for his ability to inspire, innovate, and drive meaningful impact across sectors. With extensive experience in both the nonprofit and business worlds, Tariq has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to bridge strategy with action, combining entrepreneurial insight with a deep commitment to community-building and social justice.

As a trusted advisor and strategist, Tariq excels at identifying opportunities for growth, fostering collaboration, and creating solutions that balance organizational success with a focus on equity and inclusivity. His work is characterized by a results-oriented approach, rooted in integrity, innovation, and a genuine desire to empower others.

In the nonprofit space, Tariq’s leadership has been instrumental in advancing initiatives that address systemic challenges, build capacity, and drive transformative change. In the private sector, he is equally adept at steering organizations through complex landscapes, leveraging his expertise in operations, strategy, and market development to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Tariq’s leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and the power of purpose-driven work. A natural relationship-builder, he has a track record of forging strong partnerships across diverse industries and sectors. His humility, coupled with a relentless drive to uplift those around him, makes him a sought-after leader for organizations striving to achieve both social and economic impact.

Whether working with global organizations, grassroots initiatives, or industry leaders, Tariq is committed to fostering environments where innovation, equity, and excellence thrive.

Zaheer Sheikh

VP, Information Technology

Bio

Zaheer Sheikh

Client Relationship Management, Hybrid Manager, Project Management, Training.

Specialties: Project Planning, Management, Analysis, Processes.

Furquan Gehlen

VP, Partnership Development (Volunteer)

Bio

Furquan Gehlen

I am a dedicated professional with expertise ranging from managing complex programs, projects. operations and change management scenarios in a global environment for over 10 years. My experience includes managing complex and time critical post sales and presales projects involving global stakeholders. I am continually focused on quality and detail while collaborating with others to reduce risks and improve outcomes.

My passion is to solve complex problems using analytical skills. I can quickly identify gaps and opportunities to improve processes. I enjoy leading teams to bring about innovative results for any Program, Project, Operations or Change Management scenario, on time, with exceptional quality and in an organized manner.

I can apply business analysis, critical thinking and decision-making skills while supporting systems implementation, process development and continuous improvement initiatives. I am also skilled at facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution, financial management processes and business systems.

Hina Gehlen

Communication and Outreach Officer

Bio

Hina Gehlen

Compassionate and motivated team player with a proven record of generating sales and building relationships by demonstrating exceptional communication skills, organizing fundraising events from concept to completion

Work and volunteer experience of over 15 years with not for profits & international organizations
Volunteered with Human Concern International, Canadian peace initiative, World beyond war and a project of Mercy mission-Being me, and ASPIRE in case management role
Canadian peace initiative organized and fund raised
Syrian Refugees case worker for ASPIRE
Bachelors in Psychology and have natural ability to understand un-spoken barriers
Experience in team management including hiring and training, inventory management, procurement, business administration and management as well as social media marketing
Client focused; able to serve people in culturally sensitive manner, maintaining confidentiality
Knowledgeable of community services available in lower mainland Vancouver
Takes initiative in running new projects and possess leadership skills

Volunteers: The Unsung Heroes

Fueled by compassion and driven by purpose, our volunteers are the backbone of our mission. Their dedication empowers our organization, providing essential support to those we serve. With a growing network of committed volunteers, many return time and again—drawn by the meaningful connections and the lasting impact they help create.

Volunteering

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OUR TEAM

The dedicated hearts and hands
behind our mission

Empowering Our Community with Heartfelt Support

Together, we rise by lifting others.

The Heart Behind the Mission

Meet The Team

Azim Dahya

Azim Dahya

Zebun Malik

Zebun Malik

Mainu Ahmed

Mainu Ahmed

Rafik Karwa

Rafik Karwa

Khizer Daya

Khizer Daya

Faisal Kharadi

Faisal Kharadi

Tariq Tyab

Tariq Tyab

Zaheer Sheikh

Zaheer Sheikh

Furquan Gehlen

Furquan Gehlen

Hina Gehlen

Hina Gehlen

Volunteers: The Unsung Heroes

Quick links

Get in touch

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OUR TEAM

The dedicated hearts and hands behind our mission

Empowering Our Community with Heartfelt Support

Together, we rise by lifting others.

The Heart Behind the Mission

Meet The Team

Azim Dahya

Zebun Malik

Mainu Ahmed

Rafik Karwa

Khizer Daya

Faisal Kharadi

Tariq Tyab

Zaheer Sheikh

Furquan Gehlen

Hina Gehlen

Volunteers: The Unsung Heroes

Quick links

Get in touch

The dedicated hearts and hands
behind our mission