Dr Nora Amath is a sociologist and a community developer whose research focuses on religion, multiculturalism and inter-community relations. She is the author of The Phenomenology of Community Activism: Muslim Civil Society Organisations in Australia; her writings have also appeared in several edited volumes and journals. Highly active in the Australian Muslim community, Nora is also a consultant and cross-cultural trainer for various Australian government agencies and organisations on issues related to Islam and Muslims.
She is the founder and/or chair of a number of different organisations focused on supporting people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including establishing a domestic violence shelter. In 2006, Nora received the prestigious award of Australian Muslim Woman of the Year; and in 2013, she received an Australia Day Community Award. In 2017 she was a finalist in the Australian of the Year Awards.
Samir Bennegadi is a principled, educated professional with expertise and exposure in the fields of strategic planning, business development, and public relations. He has managed portfolios exceeding AUD 250 million and a workforce of over 2,500 employees.
During the past 25 years, he has worked closely with the Australian Muslim community in across faith-based initiatives, and welfare and charitable projects including the establishment of educational institutions, places of worship, orphan sponsorship programs etc. He sits on various boards for renowned charitable organisations locally and internationally, and is an adviser to several Islamic community organisations in Australia.
Dr Ihab Saad is a professor of Civil Engineering and Construction Management. He graduated in 1984 with a degree in Civil Engineering from Cairo University. After practising for nine years, he moved to the United States for further postgraduate studies. He then obtained a Master’s degree and PhD from the University of Kentucky.
Dr Saad has taught and consulted in multiple countries over the past 30 years, and seen his work published in engineering and construction management journals. He joined the board of Islamic Relief USA in 2005, and was Chair from 2011 to 2014. He stepped down from the board in 2017 and was invited to re-join in 2019.
Ibrahim El Zayat is an academic from the German universities of Dartadt, Marburg and Cologne. He holds a Masters in Economics. His work focuses on the study of Law, Islamic Economics and places special emphasis on the economic challenges of developing countries. He holds various positions in several of Europe’s Muslim organisations. In addition, he regularly lectures on issues concerning integration and Muslim identity in European countries, as well as Islamic Finance and Economics.
