SAYYID MEHBOOB MEHDI ABIDI AL-NAJAFI
Sayiid Mehboob Mehdi serves as the resident Scholar in Chicago at one of the oldest and prestigious Islamic centers of the United States, the Islamic Education Center. He is closely associated with youth and devoted to organizing them as a vibrant Muslim youth community across America with a strong social, religious, and academic foundation. He is the founder and co-founder of many centers and organizations such as Chicago’s full time Islamic school, Hadi School of Excellence. He oversees many other community projects and is passionate about bettering the community.
ALI RIZVI (President)
Ali Rizvi is an entrepreneur and a technology enthusiast. He is the founder and president at IEP Incorporated, and the Co-Founder and the CTO at Readivet Incorporated. Before starting his own business, he worked with fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Kraft, Accenture, and ComEd in various technical and management positions. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Systems and Engineering and a master’s degree in data science from the University of California at Berkeley (in progress).
Ali Rizvi has been a part of the Hadi school board for over ten years. Currently, he presides on the school’s board for this school year. He is happily married with three children. His interests include reading, cooking, traveling, and current affairs.
AZRA NAQVI (Principal)
Dr. Azra has an academic background in education leadership, accounting, and social work. She earned her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Argosy University in 2013 and has recently completed her Doctor of Arts in Educational Leadership from National Louis University 2021. She is the Principal / Founding Member of Hadi School of Excellence, IL USA and a member of the Teacher Preparation Advisory Board at the National College of Education, National Louis University. She currently serves as a member of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Education Forum planning committee chair and Cognia Accreditation Engagement Review Teams, 2022. She is a current board member of the Council of Islamic School of North America (CISNA). Dr. Azra has a passion for serving the community in any capacity.
KUMAIL RAZVI (Board Member)
Kumail Razvi is one of the founding members of the school. He is a social reformer and an activist engaged in numerous philanthropy projects and community based organizations in various capacities. Professionally, Mr. Razvi has expertise in Education and Technology. He has a Master’s of Science Degree in Electronic Commerce and serves in a leadership position in a financial services organization. For over ten years, Mr. Razvi has also been a Lecturer at DePaul University teaching various computer science courses. Mr. Razvi is also a member of the Board of Advisors at the Mainstay Foundation.
Sakina’s two boys have been attending Hadi School for 3 years. Initially, she helped the PLC team as needed and formally joined the team in the summer of 2020. Aside from planning/coordinating PLC events, she spent most of her time on the digital marketing side (social media posts, managing web data accuracy, and reviews) and launching new programs (A La Carte Islamic and 1:1 Quran classes). Sakina enjoys playing badminton, traveling, and trying different cuisines.
SYED NAQVI (Board Member)
Syed Riaz Naqvi is one of the founding members of Hadi School. Previously, Syed had volunteered in numerous community organizations as a Board of Directors, Sunday School teacher and special projects coordinator. Three of his children have attended Hadi School. Syed has a passion to serve the community in establishing and growing institutions for future generations in the USA.
Syed Riaz Naqvi is a technology professional offering Hardware and Software development consulting to organizations worldwide. In 2000, he co-founded Yamtech to provide solutions to small to medium size businesses.
UMMUL BANEEN KAZMI (Board Member)
Ummul Baneen graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science and Psychology from NorthEastern Illinois University. She has worked at the Disruptive Behaviors Clinic at the Institute for Juvenile research at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She worked extensively with urban youth who exhibited various behavioral challenges. She also completed some post graduate work towards a PhD in Clinical Psychology in a child and adolescent track, but life had other plans so she could not see that to completion.
Her academic background, experience at UIC and life circumstances; lends to a very strong belief in being involved with and championing for children in general and her own in particular. Hence she is grateful at the opportunity to be involved in Hadi school at multiple levels. It serves the additional desire of giving back to the community that has always been generous with its support.
Ummul Baneen was born and raised in Pakistan, Chicago has been her home since 2001. Her life revolves around her family. She loves hanging out with her husband,
children and other family members, traveling, cooking and hosting friends and family. She loves to unwind with a good book and a cup of chai.
