Candidate Information – Almadina Board Election Nov. 19, 2017 The following document contains submissions (in alphabetical order) from the candidates who are standing for election on November 19

th, and chose to take advantage of the opportunity to relay some information on themselves and their

interest in becoming an Almadina Director. Some editing has been done so that submissions will fit the allotted space of ½ page per candidate.

Respectfully, Kalpana Kay, Returning Officer

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HAYTHAM GHOURIRI

E-mail: hghouriri@hotmail.com; Home: 403-264-3023; Cell: 403-978-4432

I am a passionate, dedicated member of the Almadina family and a father of three

ychildren who attend Almadina. I have served on the Board for the past six years,

five of those years as Board Chair. I believe children should always be our central

focus. The key to a successful school system is a united team of parents and

educators. In order to achieve excellence, all voices must be heard and

communication should be clear. I will work diligently on behalf of our families and

our children.

As Board Chairman, I was heavily involved in all political lobbying over the past

three years. This lobbying of government resulted in: 15-year charter, new school

facility (Ogden Campus), and two increases in student cap. As part of a team, we

had excellent financial audits. Alberta Education Evaluation resulted in an excellent

review of our system and the Board. I am committed to a governance model board

and lead by example creating harmony and one vision with the students as a focus.

If I am elected I will focus on building unity amongst every member of the Almadina

community. A top priority will be to continue to lobby for equal inclusive education

funding. I will also continue to lobby for a third campus and a high school. I will

also work for 15-year leases in all schools. I will have a continued focus on high

student results.

YOUSSEF HAMMOUD

E-mail: yhammoud2009@hotmail.com Home: 403-272-7298 Cell: 587-888-2273Having ascended to the rank of Chief Inspector and contributed greatly to law enforcement and his community, Youssef Hammoud retired from the Lebanese Police Force in 2008. He brought expert leadership and communication skills required for negotiation in crisis to his work concerning international treaties and conflicts. He studied Integrated Studies at Athabasca University and is currently the CFO for a private investment company that owns, develops and manages its own property portfolio. He has been a long-time volunteer with the Muslim Council of Calgary involved in various fundraising events aimed to support the Muslim community and the greater Calgary community. Youssef is the father of two sons presently enrolled at ALCA as well as three other ALCA graduates. If elected, his future plans include but are not limited to providing ALCA students with a Learning Commons in each campus aimed at engaging students in student-centered project/task designs that are driven by their own interests in the co-creation of their education

Also, by promoting transparency across the system, Youssef hopes to support teacher-led initiatives that will ensure ALCA students are competitive and able to successfully transition into the mainstream. Finally, his goals include the improvement of student achievement and literacy development for ALCA students by supporting teacher recommended literacy-rich programs and initiatives, supporting a technology infrastructure upgrade, developing effective parent-school partnerships, and creating a management system that ensures student success.

SYED HASNAIN

E-mail: syedhasnaimu50@gmail.com Home: Cell: 587-889-9061

I am Syed Hasnain, a resident of Calgary Whitehorn community. I am your candidate for Almadina School Society board of trustees. I am an MBA majored in finance and accounting. Was accepted as a Registered Public accountant (RPA). I have been involved in Public Accounting firm for 8 years. With previously holding position as Chief Financila officer and as Board Trustee. I got experience of Policy and budget making. The cornerstone of my belief is that no child should be left behind and all efforts by Parent and Schools should be to ensure the same.

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ABD AL AZIZ HOUMSI

E-mail: aasah2005@hotmail.com Home: 403-568-6893 Cell: 403-466-4345

To all the parents of Almadina Students, Do you want a high school for your children? Do

you want a third campus? I am sure your answer is 'Yes'! Our children are

in one of the best schools in Alberta and we

want to make sure it stays on top. We want to finish the projects we have

started like the six portables to be installed this summer at the Mountain

View campus. And we need to finish the plan to enhance our parking.

I am a parent like you and I am passionate about our students which is

why I want to stay as an

active board member to ensure we have the best decisions for their future

education.

I am married with 3 beautiful girls in Almadina. I want to work with

YOU, with every parent that has a child in Almadina, to hear your stories

of success and concerns. Our children’s education is very important to me. We need to prepare the

m for the future, especially when it comes to technology.

I am a Master Electrician for more than 15 years and I have been a part of our community in Calgary and I am

willing to help in any way I can.

Help me help you! I am counting on your votes in the upcoming election. If you have any questions or concerns p

lease do not hesitate to contact me anytime.

SAMIR JALLOUL E-mail: samjalloul@hotmail.com Home: (403) 272- 6367 Cell: (403) 617-6756

As a member of the Almadina School Society Board of Directors, I plan to work

collaboratively with other members, teachers and staff to plan and manage the

different projects that will prepare our children for all the challenges they might

face in their higher education and society in general. I believe that as a board

member, I have a duty to improve the Almadina learning experience. I will devote

my time and utilize my skills to be an advocate of the Almadina School principles

and ideals. As a parent, and a citizen who cares about our community and our

school, I look forward to the opportunity to serve and make a difference in the

future of our children, teachers, school and community.

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JUNAID KHAN

E-mail: junaid5253@yahoo.com Home: 403-452-5536 Cell: 403-483-5253

Junaid Khan is a Supply Chain Management Professional; he completed Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from United State. He also completed Certification in Supply Chain Management from Canada. He is versatile and skilled Supply Chain Management professional with over 12 years of excellent hands-on experience in developing and improving procurement strategies for O&G, engineering, manufacturing industries, and retail operation. He worked in various roles in Supply Chain in different multinational & national companies including Middle-East. Junaid is an assertive person with outstanding interpersonal, communications, negotiation and people management skills. Junaid participated and volunteered in several programs such as YMCA’s

programs, communities programs, community’s school programs, and Eastside soccer club. He is married with two beautiful children; who are currently, student in Almadina Language Charter Academy School, in grade 9 and grade 4th. Junaid has a broad vision about Almadina School. Almadina is already among top ranking schools of Alberta, but school has the potential to become one of the best educational institutes in Alberta, if we work together and make a commitment to achieve desired goals. My first priority as member of board will be t o a r r a n g e 3 r d b u i l d i n g f o r s c h o o l w h e r e w e c a n a c c o m m o d a t e h u n d r e d s o f w a i t l i s t i n g s t u d e n t s , i m p r o v e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n / b u s e s s e r v i c e s , a n d extend school up to grade 12, with proper infrastructure and advance learning technology for the better future of our children.

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AMMAR MAHDI

E-mail: aboshishab2004@gmail.com Home: Cell: 403-606-7867

My name is Ammar Mahdi. I am originally from

Yemen. I have been in Canada for 16 years. I am

currently pursuing a Master Degree in Petroleum

Engineering with Heriot-Watt University in UK. I

Graduated in 2005 with Bachelors of Petroleum

Engineering Technology from SAIT Polytechnic. I

have 10 years of Canadian and international

experience working as a Petroleum Engineering

Specialist for companies like Statoil Canada Ltd.,

Nexen Inc. and mindset Technologies. I worked for

over one year as a Resettlement Counselor with

CCIS. I am currently working as a casual Language

Interpreter with Calgary Board of Education. I am a member in Almadina Language Charter

Academy School Council. I volunteer for Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) as a

Community Engagement Lead in Calgary Chapter. I also volunteered with MAC as a Youth

Mentor. I am a proud father of 5 kids. I enjoy playing soccer, skiing and travelling.

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MUHMMAD SALMAN MAZHAR

E-mail: msmazhar69@gmail.com Ph: 403-903-3805

I have completed Master in Economics with Bachelors degree in Education from Pakistan. I have also completed Criminal Justice Honours Diploma from Calgary, Canada.

I have served almost 10 years in Education at various levels. I was responsible for school events and counselling with children and parents. I volunteered with Almadina Language Charter Academy (currently as a member of school council), Calgary Police. Feed a Need Calgary. I was working as an interpreter with the Immigration Service Calgary. I am an active worker in community programs and craft programs to bring diverse cultures together

OSAMA MEHRI E-mail: Lebanon1@hotamil.com Home: 403-474-6235 Cell: 403-702-3614Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

My name is Osama Merhi, and I believe that an effective school board plays a significant role in setting policies and keeping our school on the right path. Setting the vision and goals for the school can’t be done by one member and having new members with new ideas is very important to set these goals. Therefore, I am running for School Board because I believe that education is very important and investing in our children now means a vibrant future for our community. In order to provide every child with the education they deserve, Our School Board must have a vision, create structures to support that vision, and be accountable. We must also advocate for our students at every opportunity. I have been living in Canada for over 40 years where I grew up and finished my education. I am running as a new board member, because I believe that

each and every kid deserves to be provide with the best resources and tools to achieve their goals successfully in future. We will have afterschool programs for kids, such as: sport teams or having tech group. Moreover, I will try my best to solve some of the parents’ complains/issues, such as: having more than one place/source or locate to buy school uniforms and not just one store. In addition, we should have three schools, for example: First school from grade k to 4, Second school from 5 to 8, & Third one/High School from 9 to 12. I will try my best to have two schools close by, so it will be easy for parents. We need to have a plan in place that will attract the best and the brightest to our School. By working together we can all share in the knowledge and satisfaction that we have provided for the educational needs of all children, and have built a district where students, parents, teachers, and staff feel they are welcome and that they belong. I ask for your support because IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE *********************************************************************************************

MUHAMMAD SHAHID RAFIQUE

E-mail: RSR_SRS@yahoo.com Home: 403-451-6309 Cell: 403-815-7249

I have MSc Space Sciences & MSc in Electronics. I had worked in different subsystems of Earth observation Satellite & Communication Satellite in Space Agency.

I participate in local mosque on daily basis in different activities as volunteer i.e. in organizing event, purchasing for mosque, donation collection and repairing or fixing different things in mosque. I also volunteer in Sayyedah Fatima (A.S) Food Bank. I help delivering food to needy families, Organizing & storage of halal food and preparing food hampers. I also provide tax & investment advice free of cost to anyone.

I would like to join Almadina Board of Directors to make this school more successful using my experience & education. My priorities would include to open another branch of Almadina Language Charter Academy, so that we can reduce wait list. High school is also needed for long time; I will try to get high school so that our kids get same style of education in high school. I also would like to make Almadina Language Charter Academy strong presence in any school level competition so that we can raise standard of our school.

IMRAN YOUSAF RANA E-mail: rana.imran@hotmail.com Home: 587-333-0574 Cell: 587-832-6548

Imran Yousef is a Civil Engineer possesses a degree in Civil Engineering and 16+ years

of rich & extensive experience in Project Management, Coordination, and Supervision

of various construction projects in Canada, and abroad. He moved to Canada in

September 2015 from Saudi Arabia, during his stay in Saudi Arabia he worked on

numerous projects for Holy Harams. Presently, pursuing Construction Management

Certification from SAIT. He also volunteers with various organizations such as Habitat

for Humanity, Calgary Public Library and Community Kitchen Program of Calgary for

their different programs.

I wanted to dedicate my time for the improvement of education and extracurricular

activities of Almadina school so that the students could compete with other high ranked

schools with more confidence, and be able to advance in ranking to achieve long

awaited dream of high school.

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MOHAMED SALIH

E-mail: msalih70@hotmail.com Cell: 403-837-4433

I have BSC Degree In chemistry from the University of Winnipeg, MB. More than 10 year work experienced in oil and gas sector as laboratory Analyst. I have tremendous volunteer experience with non-profit organization such as two year board member with Alberta Global Council for Cooperation, three year president of Altamas for peace and development Association in Calgary and currently president of Sudanese community Association of Calgary.

I have been a part of Almadina Language Charter Academy’s Board of Directors since 2011. During the six year, I held different position such as vice chair, as well as chairing different committees such as Facility, international language, information technology and Financial. Together with my colleagues we managed to accomplished many things such as moving student from the Franklin to the Ogden Campus, increasing student enrollment number from 600 to 1023. Increasing the number of buses from 13 to 17, and introducing discovery reading programs in both campus as well as uniforms. Also, we managed to lobby and received a 15 years charter approval for Almadina from Alberta education.

I am looking forward for your continuous support in the upcoming election. I am committed to make Almadina charter Academy a good environment learning place for student.

My main priorities are:• To increase the current facilities to accommodate more new students by adding more portable classes• Getting Almadina approved for a High school• Increase buses in different routes such as the North West• Adding more option classes

E-mail: sohail.sherwani@gmail.coHome:403-207-4110 Cell: 403-473-4270

ASSALAMU ALYKUM LADIES & GENTLEMAN - My name is Sohail Sherwani. I am

running as a Board of Directors for the election in 2017-2020. I got Bachelor’s

degree in Science, MA (Economics), MBA (Marketing) and Diploma in

Business Purchasing degrees from leading Universities and reputed business

schools around the world.

I am the most creditable candidate in this race - For last 6 years I have been a

board director and currently the vice chairman in Almadina Language

Charter Academy. As a Director on a school board, I have been widely

regarded as a dedicated, respectful, and hard-working individual, and have

henceforth received numerous awards of distinction praising my leadership

and involvement in the success of my school.

MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS: I was a key player on all major board decision like hiring staff, increments and

their salary packages, INTRODUCED SCHOOL UNIFORM, INTRODUCED URDU LANGUAGE, School

transport system, Student learning power programs, successful School and the board evaluation,

play vital role in school bylaws and polices making, approval of 15 years Charter, Submission of

High School Application, increased number of students (from 660 to 1329), third Campus for

Almadina School and maintained a consistent excellent annual financial audit, introduced Power

School program.

MY FUTURE PLANS: Restart work towards high School and 3rd Campuses for Almadina Language

Charter Academy, increase student enrollment, more extra curricular activities, and try to make our

school “the best transparent & safe workplace”.

Will create new positions for teachers and supporting staff, Upgrade the infrastructure and

enhancing present transportation system (more buses and convenient bus routes for our kids

REDWAN ZAHRA

E-mail: lielahajar-82@hotmail.com Home: 403-293-7877 Cell: 403-808-9204

Redwan Zahra is the Owner-Operator of Redwan Stone Masonry Ltd., a full-service masonry company working with contractors, developers, and homeowners throughout Calgary since 2005. With additional experience abroad, Redwan has over twenty years of expertise negotiating, maintaining and acquiring new building contracts. He has been a long-time volunteer with the Muslim Council of Calgary involved in various fundraising events aimed to support the Muslim community and the greater Calgary community. Redwan is also the proud parent of two daughters, the eldest, an Almadina Language Charter Academy student who started Grade 5 this past September.

SOHAIL SHERWANI

My future plans for Almadina include the addition of more bus routes and the improvement of current routes to allow easier access for students. As well, I hope to support the greatly needed infrastructural upgrades required at both campuses. Furthermore, I would like to work on getting an Islamic Studies program started for all grade levels along with a stronger emphasis on Arabic and Urdu language classes in order to give learners confidence and help affirm their cultural identity. Finally, I would like to ensure the future success of Almadina by working towards strengthening our current schools in anticipation of the opening of a third campus or high school.