About NISA
Established in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the North American Islamic Shelter for the Abused was created to alleviate challenges related to abuse and domestic violence. Rooted in Islamic values, NISA serves all who seek assistance and does not discriminate.
Objective
To reduce the incidents of domestic violence and achieve domestic harmony among families through collaborative efforts with the community and other established organizations. We create a more just community in which people of all cultures and beliefs can participate.
Mission
To preserve human dignity by aiding those who live in an unsafe environment filled with pain, fear and hopelessness. We promote domestic harmony while incorporating a spiritual dimension, and we raise awareness about domestic violence in the community at large. Help is free, available, and should be sought before family problems become irreparable.
Executive Director
Asma AhmadExecutive DirectorCorporate lawyer and long-time non-profit volunteer who served four years on the NISA board before becoming Executive Director. Fluent in French and Urdu.Asma’s transition into the Executive Director role comes as NISA plans to expand its services to the community it has served for over twenty years. She can be emailed at asma@asknisa.org.
Read the Board’s announcementBoard of Directors
Imam Tahir AnwarPresidentBay Area imam serving the South Bay Islamic Association and teaching Islamic law at Zaytuna College. On the NISA board since 2012.
Amina AnwarTreasurerBanking professional and long-serving board member. Fluent in English and Urdu; lives in Palo Alto with her family.
Tehmina ShaikhSecretaryHuman resources leader with Fortune 500 experience. A NISA volunteer since 2012, on the board since 2023.
Saha JamshedBoard Member, Head of AdvocacyLicensed social worker and NISA's Client Services Program Manager, with NISA since 2006.Board of Advisors
Manzoor GhoriFounding member
Mahnoor BaigAdvisor, Advocacy Program
Naheed HasnatAdvisorAbout domestic violence
Domestic violence is a generic term for abusive behavior between couples. It is a learned, systematic behavior that uses physical, sexual or psychological abuse to exert and maintain power and control over an intimate partner. The patterns of abuse do not usually begin with an act of violence: isolation, minimizing a partner's decision-making and obsessive jealousy usually come first.
Under no circumstances does the Quran encourage, allow or condone family violence or physical abuse. NISA's approach handles domestic violence while incorporating a spiritual dimension, which we believe is necessary to deliver effective services and sustain them.