Mohammed Shamma

Mohammed Shamma was Born in Cairo, Egypt. He received his undergraduate degree from Cairo University, a MS From The University of Californina, Berkeley and a Ph.D in Management Science from SMU Dallas Texas. He is married and has 5 children.

He has been involved with the local Muslim community and national Muslims Students Association and the Islamic Society of North America since 1969. He was chairman of the National Muslim Students association in 1970, the first business manager of the National Islamic Muslim Trust, and the first business administrator of ISNA in the mid seventies.

He has been active in the local community at the same time as he has been active nationally. Besides attending many international conferences representing the Muslims of North America, he has served many times as chairman of the board of the IAC. He was instrumental in bringing IBS (Islamic Book Services) to Cincinnati in the 70's.

Professionally he was a professor at the University of Cinncinnati College of Business and also taught in the School of Economics at the International Islamic Uninversity for two years. He continues to be active in business ventures.

Ibrahim Amidou

IBRAHIM AMIDOU, PhD. Adjunct Assistant Professor at UC and Miami University. Author and researcher in Humanities. I teach French and Francophone Literatures, Cultures and Civilizations, French Enlightenments, Postcolonial Africa, English Composition and Ethnic American Literature.

Owner of a Private firm of Translation and Interpretation, Immigrants and Refugees Advocate. I have been with Clifton Mosque since 1991 and currently a volunteer, Vice-Chair of the Social Services Committee. I have also served, for the past few years, as member-volunteer of the (Ramadan) Iftar dinner committee. I am married and a father of five.

Tala Ali - Chairman

A daughter of immigrants, Tala Mohammad Ali grew up in inner-city Cincinnati, attended CPS K-12, and identifies as a proud Cincinnatian. She has now served as the Muslim Chaplain and facilitator of service, justice, and interfaith immersion programming at Xavier University for over 7 years. Tala is also an active member of the national Association of Muslim Chaplains and Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education. She has actively worked with Interfaith America and annually leads students on a delegation to their national conference in Chicago. Tala was recognized by the YWCA as a Rising Star and completed the Rising Star Leadership Program in 2022, which “equips high-performing women to become equity leaders… and prepares participants for non-profit board service.” She was also a founding board member of CAIR-OH-Cincinnati for 7 years, working to hire its first executive director and establish the first Cincinnati CAIR office. 

She is a passionate and present member of the Cincinnati community, involved in various justice and equitable initiatives and movements. She has over 20 years of experience working with non-profit, community organizations, and political campaigns.  

Tala is a longtime member and attendee of Clifton Mosque and holds its community close to her heart. She is a passionate advocate for creating nurturing and inclusive spaces in the Muslim community, where a diverse spectrum of people not only feel safe, but want to be a part of. Tala hopes to share her expertise in strategic planning, non-profit development and community organization and cultivation to the Clifton Mosque Board.

Mohamed Gueye

My name is Mohamed Gueye, and I’m excited to share a bit about myself and my vision for our community. As someone studying cybersecurity and preparing for an internship at Amazon, I’m deeply invested in the future of our youth and the strength of our community. I also volunteer in various roles, including security, food pantry support, and event planning, and I proudly serve as the captain of the Clifton Mosque soccer team.

1. Strength in Numbers and Shared Values: Together, we have the power to amplify our voices and tackle social, political, and economic challenges. By fostering collective action, we can advocate more effectively and support one another. I plan to reach out to our community scholars to engage with us at the masjid. Their reflections on the Quran and Hadith can guide us in promoting mutual understanding and support. Through religious education and contemporary guidance, we can strengthen our bonds and collaborate more deeply across our diverse community.

2. Parents and Children:  It’s essential for parents to deepen their understanding of Islam so they can impart its values to their children. This not only builds a strong spiritual foundation but also helps children develop a sense of identity and belonging within our faith. Regular attendance at the masjid creates a nurturing environment, enriching their understanding and offering opportunities for social connections and shared experiences.

3. Youth Engagement:  Let’s focus on empowering our youth! By engaging them in business and technology, we can equip them with vital skills for today’s job market, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, connecting them with professionals and scholars can create invaluable networking opportunities, paving the way for mentorship and career paths.

4. Health and Well-being:  Promoting physical activity is crucial for healthier lifestyles within our community. Sports can engage our younger generations, providing positive outlets for their energy while instilling teamwork and discipline. Let’s come together through sports events, celebrating our diversity and building connections across backgrounds.

5. United Ummah:  In a world where we may face challenges, unity is our strength. Our community is rich with diverse cultures and traditions, and together, we can foster resilience, security, and belonging. Participating in communal prayers, celebrations, and religious practices enhances our spiritual growth and reinforces our faith. Let’s bridge our differences through dialogue and reconciliation, ensuring that our unity is a source of strength rather than division.

Together, we can build a vibrant, supportive community that reflects our shared values and aspirations. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Swiyyah Rush - Vice Chairman

I have been a part of this community for nearly 30 years. I have served on several committees and always tried to lend a helping hand when needed. Throughout the years, I have gained experience as a wife, mother, caretaker, business owner, and employee at General Electric for over 35 years. After being retired for a decade, I am ready to commit myself to the role of an elected board member, insha'Allah. Our community is constantly evolving, growing, and becoming more diverse. As a black American Muslim woman, I believe I can effectively connect and communicate with many individuals, and represent their concerns to the board.

Riyad Shamma - Secretary

Born and raised in Cincinnati, I have always loved our community. I founded the Institute of Youth Development and Excellence (IYDE) in 2007 with the desire to support and enhance organizations in their ability to develop and nurture youth. I have a lifelong passion for youth development and building others. I have served on both IAC and IEC boards in decades past and continue to work to support the community.

My vision for the future of our masjid is a nurturing and welcoming community that brings people in and makes them want to stay connected. We need to understand the individual needs and how to best fulfill them given the diversity of culture, age, education, interests and phase of life.

Imam Ayman Soliman

Imam Ayman Soliman received his Islamic education in Islamic studies, both formal and informal, in Egypt. He holds undergrad degrees in Islamic studies, Qura'n and Islamic Da'wah. Later he received a Master's degree in Islamic Studies and is currently pursuing a Master's of Divinity (MDIV) in Islamic Studies and Muslim Chaplaincy as well as a PhD in Islamic Studies. He served as an Imam in Egypt for 14 years before moving to the US 10 years ago. In the US, he served as an imam, director of religious affairs and youth director in several Islamic centers. He has served as the Muslim chaplain at Northwestern University, the Muslim chaplain in the prison system, and currently serves as the imam and Muslim Chaplain at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He was an elected board member of Aljame'ya Alshare'ya in Egypt for 10 years before moving to the US. Most recently, he was elected to serve as a board member of the Initiative on Islam and Medicine. He is a member of the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America, the Association of Muslim Chaplains, and the North America Imams Federation.

Ideas and vision:

-To develope educational programs and activities that cater for the needs of our community members in every age group. 

-Empower the youth in our community through youth programs that address their needs and enhance their belonging to their Muslim faith.

--Advocate for the hire of a highly qualified full time imam.

-Utilize the diverse expertise in our community to uplift the mosque through volunteering, committees membership and decision making.

 -Build bridges and collaborate with the other Muslim institutions in the area to benefit the Muslim community at large.

Khalid Alnajar - Treasurer

Khalid Alnajar is a successful businessman and community leader. He has been a long-time member of the Clifton Mosque and brings new and exciting ideas and strategies to our board and our community.