Naqiya Abdulrasul – Chair
Naqiya was brought up in England and has a Bachelors in Business and Sociology. She is a wife and a mother of two children. She moved to Toronto in 1998 after marriage.
She works as a Finance and Reconciliation Officer for the Provincial Government and has worked for the provincial government for the past 15 years.
She has been part of the Jaffari Support Services since its inception approximately 7 years ago as the role of the Secretary. She is also part of other committees at the Jaffari Community Centre. She got involved for the sole purpose of wanting to give back to her community.
Marzia Hassan – Committee Member
Marzia Habib-Hassan (LLB, MSW, RSW) is one of the founding members of Jaffari Support Services and has served as Chairperson of the Board for the last three years.
Marzia works as a social worker and relationship consultant with individuals, couples, and families. After obtaining her masters in social work, she started Family Connections International, a private counseling, and psychotherapy practice based in Toronto and online. When she is not pursuing her passion of coaching families and individuals on building better relationships, Marzia also serves on the board of directors for various NGOs, including International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) and Habib University Foundation.
Marzia has facilitated various marriage relationship, parenting, self-development workshops and spiritual learning groups for youth and adults all over the world, including Canada, US, UK, and Pakistan. She leads various Quran Study Circles in Toronto for youth and adults, and speaks on spirituality and social issues in various forums across North America. She has appeared on AhlulBayt TV both in the UK and Canada.
In 2013, Marzia was honored with the Canadian House of Commons award for Outstanding Volunteer Achievement in recognition of her contributions to various minority communities in Toronto, in the fields of family strengthening and women’s empowerment.
Fatim Kamalia – Treasurer
Fatim has been the treasurer for Jaffari Support Services for the last three years. She is a mother of 4, Certified General Accountant and auditor by profession. In 2013, she received the volunteer achievement award.
Aliya Dharamshi – Committee Member
Aliya was born and raised in Canada. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Biology and Health studies from the University of Toronto in 2006. She went on to pursue a career in Dental Hygiene and received her diploma from George Brown College in 2012. She has volunteered in many different capacities, including a recent dental mission to Cambodia. She has been a part of Jaffari Support Services since its inception and she enjoys volunteering in any capacity.
Alia Kamalia – Committee Member
Alia is a wife and busy mother of 3 children. When she is not chauffeuring her children around to their numerous extracurricular activities she is spending quality time with family and friends.
She is a regulatory affairs professional with over 10 years experience working for various pharmaceutical companies. She is an engaged member of the community and has volunteered as the PTA Chair of As-Sadiq Islamic School where her children attend. Realizing the need for structured parenting programs in the community she has helped the JSS team for over 5 years, organize monthly drop-in sessions and parenting support groups. She works closely with the MOMMY CONNECTIONS team to ensure mothers have the support and knowledge they need from an Islamic perspective to raise their children in the west during these challenging times. She feels most fulfilled giving back to the community in whatever capacity she can.