Along with establishing Halal integrity, the national leadership of the Halal Advocates of America also works with the advocate chapters to expand the cause for Halal growth in America.

 

Mufti Abdullah Nana, Southwest

Abdullah Nana was born and raised in Mill Valley, California. He graduated with honors from UC Berkeley with a degree in Business and Economics. After accomplishing his academic goals, Abdullah Nana went on to pursue the higher Islamic Sciences in South Africa and attained a Masters-equivalent degree in Islamic Theology. Thereafter, he was specially selected to enter a legal verdicts and jurisprudential course where he graduated with Honors here as well. Abdullah Nana is a widely-accepted research scholar in the fields of Halal and Islamic Finance. He has written and translated several publications and research papers on these subjects as well. Particular to the subject of Halal, Abdullah Nana has traveled throughout North America, England, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa to understand the standards and practices used in the Halal Industry.

Currently, Abdullah Nana is the founding member of the Halal Advocates of America- a national advocacy which seeks to establish closer ties with the Halal supply chain in America and create universal Halal integrity. The breakthrough advocacy is also involved in various education and awareness activities for Halal consumer, both Muslim and Non-Muslim, and seeks to be at the forefront of Halal audit and consultancy in America. Mufti Abdullah also spends time in his local community teaching students of knowledge and is the Director of Islamic Affairs at the Islamic Center of Mill Valley. He has lectured at various universities throughout California, including UC Berkeley, San Diego State, and Stanford University.

 

Shaykh Hamza Wald Maqbul, Northwest

Hamza was born in Whittier, California and lived in Southern California until the age of ten when he moved to Blaine, Washington. He later attended the University of Washington and in 2004 completed a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry and a Bachelors of Arts in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. He served as the president of the University of Washington Muslim Students Association, one of the largest and most active student groups on campus, as a student senator for two years, and as the Senate-appointed member of the special funding committee. After 9/11, he was listed by the University of Washington as an expert on Islam and was invited to address various groups including high schools and universities, community groups and television, radio, newspaper and internet media. After graduation, Hamza went on to pursue traditional Islamic studies, which took him to Syria and Egypt where he studied the Arabic language; Morocco, Mauritania, and the UAE.

 

Adnan Faiz, Midwest

Adnan Faiz was raised in Chicago, Illinois. He attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a degree in Information Decision Sciences (business, statistics, and operations management). By profession, Adnan’s expertise is in the fields of management, business development, strategy, process management, and organizational effectiveness. He has previously worked as a strategy manager at Accenture Corporate, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and United Airlines World Headquarters.

Throughout his years, Adnan has devoted his time to leading various community-based projects across Chicago and the Midwest. He currently serves as Managing Director and Principal of the education-based organization, Darul-Hikmah (translates to ‘House of Wisdom’) and has helped numerous other non-profit organizations with their strategic initiatives.