Board Chairman
Board Chairman
Hamza Duwaji is an experienced finance professional, with 10 years of experience providing accounting, financial analysis and improvement, budgeting and expense management in the hospitality industry. Hamza first engaged with the Downtown Denver Islamic Center as a volunteer with the Food Relief Program, and has been instrumental in making the program run smoothly and efficiently. Hamza began his term with the Board as Board Treasurer, where he led financial planning and budgeting for the organization, helping to implement best practices while making processes and procedures more efficient. As Chairman, Hamza is excited to support DDIC as it implements its strategic plan, and helping to ensure the organization continues to be a place where the entire community can come together.
Secretary
Secretary
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.
Treasurer
Treasurer
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.
Ex Officio
Ex Officio
Ex Officio
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.
Ex Officio
Ex Officio
Muhammad is a community leader and activist in education, charity, peace building, interfaith partnerships, community development, projects management and spirituality. Muhammad has a MA in Religious Studies, from the University of Denver, and has a B.A in Translation Studies and Linguistics.
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.