ENLIGHTENING OUR
COMMUNITY
Empower Us
vision: To serve and Elevate our community
Our vision is to serve and uplift our community, with beneficiaries that encompass both our recipients and your akhirah (hereafter).
At Projects Us Foundation, we envision a society where Islamic values are at the heart of a flourishing and compassionate community. We strive to embody the principles of generosity, empathy and care for others in an authentic way.
Our goal is to make a positive and enduring impact on the Australian Muslim community and extend our influence beyond.
Mission: to inspire, uplift and support our community
Our mission is to inspire, uplift and support our community on both domestic and global levels. We provide access and opportunities for individuals to flourish and succeed while offering immediate relief and aid when needed.
We are committed to authentically delivering Islamic values while upholding transparency and efficiency.
As a united community driven by compassion and dedication, we are resolute in our determination to transform lives and elevate the Muslim not-for-profit sector.
Team Members
Fatma Saaoud
Chief Executive Officer
Close ModalFatma is an experienced leader with over 15-years in the financial services industry as well as the not-for-profit sector.
Throughout her professional journey, Fatma has held various leadership positions in both established companies and fast-growing start-ups. She has demonstrated ability to drive growth, build teams, and navigate complexities with successful outcomes.
Her commitment to excellence, coupled with her strategic and business acumen, has resulted in significant accomplishments. Under her guidance, companies have experienced growth, market expansion, stability and increased profitability.
Fatma fosters a culture of innovation, encouraging her teams to think outside the box and embrace calculated risks, firmly believing that empowering team members, nurturing talent, and fostering a collaborative work environment are the key drivers of success.
Fatma believes change is activated from a grassroot community level, where humanity can shine, uplift and fundamentally change the direction of the vulnerable and less fortunate. She is excited to be supporting and serving her wonderful community.
Shahzada Waqas Siddiqi
Community Engagement and Project Manage
Close ModalI'm a passionate and community-driven professional with over 10 years of experience in engagement, project management, and stakeholder relations.
I thrive on building meaningful connections, driving impactful initiatives. With a strong background in team leadership, volunteer coordination, and community outreach, I’m dedicated to fostering partnerships that create lasting change.
In my role at Project Us Foundation, I’m committed to expanding our reach, strengthening community support, and delivering programs that make a real difference in the lives of those in need.
OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Shiekh Saeed Warsama Bulhan
Imam at the Australian Islamic Centre
Close ModalBefore embarking on his religious pursuit of knowledge, he graduated in the top 6% of the state, receiving acceptance into the renowned Melbourne University where he majored in Neuropharmacology and Neurochemistry.
Thereafter Studying the sacred, higher Islamic Sciences for over ten years under the tutelage of reputable senior scholars from around the world, he has been granted several ijazaa (licenses to teach) in Qur’an recitation, jurisprudence, theology, and Hadith (among others) and has taught the sacred texts of Tirmidhi and Mishkatul-Masabih. He has also taught the beautiful hadith book Sahih Bukhari. Sheikh has travelled throughout the subcontinent, Africa, Uk, and North America giving dawah, teaching, counselling youth, and assisting masaajid in developing programs to guide the Muslim community.
Sheikh has also consulted for a number of corporations and firms, and has had experience in the sectors of finance, telecommunications and construction. He also has a fond love of nature and the outdoors. Previously sheikh was Imam/ Pastoral Care Coordinator of Al-taqwa College and then Imam of Melbourne Grand Mosque. He currently is Imam at the Australian Islamic Centre.
Sarra sabbagh
Founder of Benevolence Australia
Close ModalSaara Sabbagh has been active in the field of youth and community work in Melbourne for over 30 years. She is an educator, consultant and public speaker on Islamic affairs.
Saara is the Founding Director of Benevolence Australia, a grassroots community organisation with a focus on converts, reconnecting Muslims and the broader Australian community.
Benevolence sees itself as part of the global scholarly and spiritual revival that aims to reclaim the narrative on Islam grounded in the Prophetic values of Compassion, Service and Excellence.
Nina Fashik
Teaching Leader & Community Advocate
Close ModalNina Fashik is an Islamic Educator and Mindset Coach, She is a conscious practicing Muslim with an educational background and bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies.
She is the founder of ‘The Muslim Mindset’, a global initiative aiming to help women and youth align to their purpose in life and live with excellence, ihsan.
Nina believes in investing in our children to better our future’s outcome. Her passion lies in self-development from an Islamic standpoint. Nina champions teaching children about certain qualities Muslims must embrace and embody, so they can strive for excellence in all facets of life.
Sheikh Alaa El Zokm OAM
Imam at the Heidelberg Heights Mosque
Close ModalSheikh Alaa is the Imam of Heidelberg Heights Mosque, and a member of the Australian National Imams Council.
As a leader in our community, Sheikh Alaa Elzokm OAM believes the greatest impact of his work is in establishing and participating in peaceful and cohesive relationships between the Australian Muslim community and the wider Australian community.
In 2022 Sheikh Alaa was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Islamic faith, and to multiculturalism.
Moodi Dennaoui
Health Executive & Advocate
Close ModalMoodi is Known in the industry as the ‘Diet Doctor’ for his unconventional approach to nutrition. He has worked with elite athletes and entertainers earning himself a position as a Health Executive for leading Allied health service companies Australia wide.
Applying his extensive knowledge in sports science, exercise physiology, nutrition and post graduate research including Prophetic Medicine, along with his faith, has put into practice how to implement food and movement to reap extensive health benefits to the body.
Moodi is also passionate about working, engaging and mentoring young people about nutrition. He has often been invited into mosques, youth, corporate and education spaces to provide motivational talks that offer hope and support to them. An inspiring and engaging public speaker who has lectured locally and nationally to an audience of thousands.
