Board Chair
Board Chair
Naveed is a veteran entrepreneur who over his 20-plus-year career has launched, managed and advised a diverse set of organizations in business strategy, leadership, operations, marketing and finance. As owner and principal of the Usman Group, Naveed helps organizations plan and execute successful communications and technology strategies that are elegant, cost-effective and easy to implement.
He has experience navigating the inner workings of non-profits and state government and has a keen interest in improving environmental sustainability, early childhood education and social enterprises.
Secretary
Secretary
Karam Ahmad is a nonprofit and public health leader with nearly a decade of experience working at the intersection of community engagement, policy, and organizational development. He currently serves as Managing Director of Partnerships and Development at the Colorado Health Institute, where he leads strategic partnerships, business development, and collaborations with philanthropy and government to strengthen systems that support community well-being across Colorado.
Born and raised in Colorado, Karam has spent much of his professional life in mission-driven organizations and has been an active member of Islamic centers throughout his life. He began attending the Downtown Denver Islamic Center in 2017 and values DDIC’s role as a welcoming, community-centered space serving a diverse downtown population. Through his work, Karam is experienced in translating complex information into accessible insights, supporting nonprofit sustainability, and building trust-based partnerships that help organizations grow and serve their communities more effectively.
Karam holds a Master of Public Health and is a graduate of Leadership Denver. He was recognized as a Denver Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree for his leadership and community impact. As a member of the DDIC Board of Directors, Karam is committed to supporting the mosque’s long-term vision, strengthening its partnerships, and ensuring DDIC continues to be a vital spiritual and community anchor in downtown Denver.
Treasurer
Treasurer
Bilal Lulu CPA, CFP® is tax and wealth advisory professional with experience helping families and organizations make thoughtful, values-aligned decisions about their resources. With a background in international tax and senior roles in wealth management, he brings a blend of technical rigor, clear communication, and a steady, relational approach to complex financial questions.
Bilal first began attending the Downtown Denver Islamic Center in 2023 and quickly found it to be a welcoming spiritual home and community anchor. Since then, he has become an active participant in DDIC’s community life and is deeply inspired by its mission to serve all members and neighbors with dignity in a culturally responsive and compassionate manner. Through his work, he is experienced in translating complex financial and tax issues into accessible guidance, supporting long-term planning and organizational sustainability, and building trusted advisory relationships that help people navigate important decisions with greater confidence.
He values integrity and faith, and views serving others as a natural outworking of his beliefs. As a member of the DDIC Board of Directors, he is committed to supporting the mosque’s long-term vision, strengthening its governance and financial stewardship, and helping ensure DDIC remains a vital spiritual, humanitarian, and community anchor in downtown Denver.
At Large
At Large
Yasir Bajwa is a financial analyst at the University of Colorado, and also has a background in software development. Yasir first engaged with the Downtown Denver Islamic Center as a volunteer for the Food Relief Program, and quickly became more involved in the organization. As Board Secretary, Yasir will help lead the organization as it implements its strategic plan, supporting DDIC as it works to become a multi-faceted community center. Yasir is excited to provide leadership to support the growth of the organization and solidify its role as an essential community resource for all, especially those new to the country.
Adopted 1 January 2020
Downtown Denver Islamic Center, also known as Masjid Al-Shuhadaa or by its shortened form, DDIC (hereinafter, “DDIC”), a nonprofit corporation sole organized pursuant to Title 7, Article 52 and, as applicable, §§ 7-121-101, et seq. (the Colorado Revised Nonprofit Corporations Act) of the Colorado Revised Statutes (hereinafter collectively, the “Acts”) exclusively for religious, charitable, and educational purposes within the meaning of §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code (hereinafter, the “Code”), makes and adopts these Bylaws in accordance with its authority under §7-123-102 of the Colorado Revised Statutes to provide for the regulation and management of its affairs, subject to the Acts, the Code, DDIC’s Articles of Incorporation (hereinafter, the “Articles”), and any other mandatory applicable law or regulation.