Board of Trustees
MET Board of Trustees is made up of the founders and past presidents of MET. Their job is to ensure the organization is moving in the right direction and that its programs are aligned with its mission statement and its roadmap as a moderate mainstream Muslim Sunni organization, that is inclusive of all. The Board of Trustees meets annually with the Board of Directors.
Mr. Wajdi Said Co-Founder, President of MET
Since coming to the US in 1988, Mr. Said has worked with the Muslim community as well as the larger community to promote a better understanding of Islam. He has been involved in numerous interfaith committees and panels throughout the years. He is one of the founders of the Interfaith Council of Greater Portland, an organization which came together as a result of 9/11, as well as one of the founders of the Arab, Jewish, Muslim Dialogue, The Institute for Christian-Muslim Understanding, Islamic Social Services of Oregon State, and the Arab and Muslim Police Advisory Board. Mr. Said has spoken at countless colleges, high schools, organizations, and churches, promoting a better understanding of Islam and Muslims. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Muslim Educational Trust (MET) which he co-founded in 1993 on a volunteer basis. In addition, Mr. Said is the President of BiSTCo Inc., an international trade development company that exports and imports goods, services, and raw materials between the Middle East and various markets in North America.
Ms. Gail Ramjan Co-Founder, Former Principal of the Islamic School of MET
Ms. Ramjan is one of the founders of MET and currently serves as the Assistant Director. She has been involved in the World Affairs Council speaker’s bureau as well as MET’s speaker’s bureau for the last ten years. Gail served on the Management Team of ISMET, the Islamic School of Muslim Educational Trust. She is on the Board of the Institute for Christian-Muslim Understanding and the Board of the Interfaith Council events and exchanges.
Mr. Ayoob Ramjan Co-Founder, Former MET President, Procurement Manager at Microsoft Corp.
Mr. Ramjan is a naturalized American citizen who was born in Zimbabwe, Africa, and is one of MET’s founders. He attended OIT (Oregon Institute of Technology), Klamath Falls, Oregon Campus. He earned his MBA from Marylhurst University and is currently working on his PhD with the University of Leicester in the UK with a focus on Knowledge Transfer. Mr. Ramjan serves on the Portland Police Chief Forum and the Arab & Muslim Police Advisory Committee (AMPAC). He is also a member of PACE (People of all Color and Ethnicity) travels extensively to all parts of Asia and Europe.
Imam Muhammad Najieb Imam of the Muslim Community Center, Former MET President
Mr. Najieb is currently the resident Imam (spiritual leader) for the Muslim Community Center in Portland. This is in addition to working for over 20 years as a Dispatch Supervisor for Petroleum Products throughout the Northwest. Mr. Najieb is a past-president of the Muslim Educational Trust and a long-time worker for the advancement of Islam and Muslims in Portland.
Mr. Rebai Tamerhoulet Former MET President, Inspector for the State of Oregon
Mr. Tamerhoulet is a structural engineer by profession who graduated with a Master’s Degree from the University of Washington. He worked for KPFF Structural Engineers for five years before he joined the State of Oregon, Department of Building Codes. Mr. Tamerhoulet was the Chairperson for MET Board of Trustees for three consecutive years. He worked tirelessly to establish the Muslim Educational Trust Center. In addition to being a Board Member, he volunteers his technical background for many projects within the Oregon Muslim community as well as the community at large. He has been involved in the technical aspects of the Muslim Educational Trust since the early stages and he is now in charge of the development of the master plan.
Dr. Waleed Qaisi Radiologist
Dr. Qaisi is a board-certified Radiologist working in Portland for the last four years. He received his medical degree in 1994 from the University of Kentucky and completed his residency training at St. Elizabeth's Health Center in Youngstown, Ohio in 1998. Subsequently, Dr. Alqaisi finished a one- year fellowship in Emergency and Trauma Radiology in 1999 which was immediately followed by a two-year appointment as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee at Memphis. Since moving to Portland, he has been an active member of the Muslim Educational Trust and member of Board of Trustees.
Mr. Akram Saadi Businessman, CEO of Balhaf Oil Company
Akram played an instrumental role in founding the Muslim Educational Trust. With his business mind and educational background, he was able to contribute his expertise to the well-being and long-term sustainability of the organization. He has his bachelors and masters degrees in Electrical Engineering, and worked at INTEL and IBM for 20+ years. He is a long-term vested partner, and currently serves as CEO of Balhaf Oil Company.
Board of Directors
MET Board of Directors oversees the daily operation of the organization and reports to the Board of Trustees.
Mr. Wajdi Said Co-Founder and President
Since coming to the US in 1988, Mr. Said has worked with the Muslim community as well as the larger community to promote a better understanding of Islam. He has been involved in numerous interfaith committees and panels throughout the years. He is one of the founders of the Interfaith Council of Greater Portland, an organization which came together as a result of 9/11, as well as one of the founders of the Arab, Jewish, Muslim Dialogue, The Institute for Christian-Muslim Understanding, Islamic Social Services of Oregon State, and the Arab and Muslim Police Advisory Board. Mr. Said has spoken at countless colleges, high schools, organizations, and churches, promoting a better understanding of Islam and Muslims. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Muslim Educational Trust (MET) which he co-founded in 1993 on a volunteer basis. In addition, Mr. Said is the President of BiSTCo Inc., an international trade development company that exports and imports goods, services, and raw materials between the Middle East and various markets in North America.
Mr. Ibrahim Turki Vice President
Ibrahim Turki is a Professional Civil Engineer and currently holds a Senior Project Manager position with Washington County, Oregon. In this role, Ibrahim leads teams providing multi-modal transportation projects within Washington County. Mr. Turki is the Co-Chair of MET’s Technical Committee and co-led the efforts of overseeing the development and implementation of the MET Community Center construction project (August 2013 – August 2015), and currently its operations.
Ms. Sahar Bassyouni Secretary/Treasurer
Ms. Bassyouni holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Previously, she held the position of Senior Programmer Analyst at the City of Portland, Water Division. Ms. Bassyouni currently serves on the school management team of the Islamic School of MET and Oregon Islamic Academy.
Mr. Jawad Khan Member
Mr. Khan joined the MET team as a volunteer 27 years ago. He graduated from Portland State University in 2000 and has been teaching language arts, humanities, political science, and economics at the Islamic School of MET and Oregon Islamic Academy for the past 21 years. Jawad serves in MET’s Outreach and Scholarship Committees, and as the College Guidance Counselor for Oregon Islamic Academy High School. Before joining MET, Jawad worked n the high-tech industry. Jawad has recently been appointed MET’s Chief Programming Officer.
Mr. Bambang Supario Member
Mr. Suparjo is a Senior Corporate Applications Engineer at Mentor Graphics Corporation and Chair of IEEE 1149.4 Mixed-Signal Test Bus Working Group, with a Ph.D. in Electronics from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom. Bambang Chairs the Indonesian-Malay Muslim Community of Greater Portland (otherwise known as the USRAH group). Bambang serves on MET’s Community Relations and Academic Achievement Committees.
Ms. Kedja Nur Member
Ms. Nur arrived in the United States as a refugee from Ethiopia with her two sons in the 1990s. She worked hard to raise her sons while advancing her studies and career in nursing. She currently serves as a caregiver in assisted living and continues to diligently serve the community with love and compassion. Kedja is a dedicated member of MET’s Outreach and Community Relations Committee.
Mr. Steve Johnson Member
Mr. Johnson has taught Mathematics for the past 40+ years. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mathematics. He taught at middle schools, high schools, and colleges across Oregon and across the world. He continues to serve as a volunteer teacher and mentor at Oregon Islamic Academy. Steve also serves on MET’s Outreach and Academic Achievement Committees.
Mr. Abukar Muhidin Member
Mr. Muhudin immigrated to the United States from Somalia. Working hard to make ends meet and making a new life in this country has been quite the journey for him. He moved to Portland, Oregon in 2000 and runs his own car rental agency. Abukar serves on MET’s Outreach and Community Relations Committee.
Dr. Khidir Dalouk Member
Dr. Khidir A Dalouk is a Cardiovascular Disease (cardiology) Specialist in Portland, Oregon. He graduated with honors in 1999. Having more than 20 years of diverse experiences, he has served as a Cardiology Fellow and currently as an EP Fellow at Oregon Health Sciences University. Khidir serves on MET’s Academic Achievement Committee.
Eman Abbas Member
Currently, Eman serves as Business and Employment Specialist II, the Lead STEP/ABAWD program with the state of Oregon. She helps job seekers with their resumes, interview skills, work skills, and job searches. She is involved in different community events, info sessions, and training such as the STEM Early Literacy kit project for the Arabic-speaking community, Arabic Dual Language Immersion Portland District School program, Citizenship Day, Foster Parents info session, Healthy Columbia, Willamette Collaborative session, Affordable Housing Discussion. Currently, Eman is also part of a Smart Grid Testbed Community Workgroup, and Energy Justice Community Workgroup. Eman Has a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and a minor in accounting from the University of Kuwait. She has 15+ years of experience as a computer teacher, two years as IT Manager, and four years as a programmer.
Asad Choudry Member
Asad Choudry is a market execution strategist for Flygt Large Systems at Xylem. He has over 18 years of experience within product and project management disciplines at various fluid technology organizations and is a proud member of Submersible Wastewater Pump Association since 2017.
Asad holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Aerospace from Hofstra University with a profound interest in innovative technology and solutions. He is considered an expert for pumps and condition monitoring systems within wastewater and stormwater. Asad is also a regional ambassador for sustainability initiatives under Xylem’s Watermark program and is a contributor to “Project Ignite” with the goal of providing high school students opportunities to participate and be actively engaged in creating sustainable water solutions.
Dr. Yasmin Ansari Member
Yasmin Ansari MD is an Internist Geriatrician, Director of Compensation and Pension and Environmental Health at the Portland VA Medical Center. She was in charge of managing Employee health at the Portland VA at the beginning of the Covid outbreak and helped establish the operating procedures related to managing Covid exposure and infection for all Employees. Dr.Ansari has been an active participant in community-based medical endeavors and refugee medical volunteering.
Local Advisory Board
MET Local Advisory Board is comprised of experts in their fields who assist where needed in their areas of expertise to promote MET’s agenda and mission statement.
Dr. Jan Abu-Shakrah PCC-Sylvania
Dr. Masud Ahmad MD
Ms. Salma Ahmad Crescent Travel
Mr. Shahriar Ahmad INTEL
Mr. Gulzar Ahmed Crescent Systems
Mr. Salman Almakk y Trasncore Inc.
Dr. Ezra Azhar MD
Mr. Anwar Bashar CPA
Mr. Maqsood Chaudhary CH2M Hill
Ms. Marta Colburn Colburn Consulting
Ms. Marion Dawan Educator
Ms. Aseel Nasir-Dyck Librarian/Historian
Ms. Anusha Elias ClearEdge Power
Dr. Abeer Etefa UN World Food Program
Dr. Youssef El-Mansy Retired Intel Corp. VP
Ms. Stephanie Guediri City of Sherwood
Mr. Adnan Haddad Civil Engineer
Mr. Jim Hanna Educator
Ms. Zaha Hassan Attorney
Ms. Nikki Hatton Attorney
Mr. Mazen Jallad General Contractor
Mr. Arif Kareem Fluke Networks
Mr. Hamoudi Zouyed NBZ Consulting
Ms. Nadia Zouyed NBZ Consulting
Mr. Ejaz Khan Clark County, Vancouver
Dr. Khalid H. Khan U of P
Ms. Susan Marmaduke Attorney
Mr. Abdul-Wahid Najim Educator
Mr. Thomas Nelson Attorney
Mr. Nauman Quraishi City of Portland
Sr. Mollie Reavis Former Principal St. Mary’s
Dr. Don Riggs Consultant
Dr. Mohammad Siala Salman Alfarisi Center
Imam Mikal Shabazz OICO
Mr. David Streight CSEE
Mr. Harry Wilson Attorney
Mr. Fares Kekhia OTAK