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About Us

Who Are We


Nawawi Center is a not-for-profit Muslim grassroots organization founded in 2008 that aims to bring people together, advocate peace and build a stronger community in Christchurch. With a team of professional volunteers trained in project and event management, Nawawi Center has run events and projects ranging from educational workshops, camps and retreats to community festivals.

In the following months after the 2019 March 15th attacks, the Nawawi Center team identified a gap in support for young Muslims and decided to scale back on the traditionally community-wide focus of our projects to concentrate specifically on youth.


Our Strategy


Our strategy is to provide regular social events and educational programs where the focus is on being together in a relaxed environment. The idea is to provide a platform where young ones can create their own support networks, have access to peers and de-stress.


What Does “Nawawi” Mean?


The Nawawi Center is named after one of the greatest scholars of Islam, Imam Muhiyyuddin bin Sharaf Al-Nawawi. Known as Imam Nawawi, he returned to his Lord at a relatively early age (in 1277AD), but his piercing intellect and deep knowledge nevertheless left behind great works that have been accepted unanimously by the Muslims and their scholars for centuries. A lover of knowledge with an aversion to this world, his legacy is not only an inspiration for knowledge but of balance, tolerance and spirituality in today’s world of extremes.


Our Structure


Meet Our Team

“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”
Salha Hasi

Salha Hasi

Languages: English, Arabic (Libya)

Salha is known in the team as the Powerhouse, with the uncanny ability to juggle organising events, running her Hijab business and being a Mum.

Zimna Thaufeeg

Zimna Thaufeeg

Languages: English, Dhivehi

With a background in policy and finance, Zimna manages to juggle work, family and volunteering into her busy schedule.

Hesham Jones

Hesham Jones

Languages: English, Malay

Although he has over 10 years experience in Project Management and IT, Hesham’s greatest contribution are still his Dad Jokes.

Asayal Al

Asayal Al

Languages: English, Arabic (Saudi)

Asayal has a passion for helping marginalised people and communities. She’s also a speech therapist and keen volunteer!

Abdifatah Ibrahim

Abdifatah Ibrahim

Languages: English, Somali

Abdi is a business graduate who has an interest in communications and public relations. He currently works as a social worker with Purapura Whetu. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the outdoors of New Zealand’s rugged terrain.

Jumayah Haji Ahmad-Jones

Jumayah Haji Ahmad-Jones

Languages: English, Malay

Jumayah is a life long learner and community volunteer with a passion for building bridges with the wider Christchurch community.

Dalia Mohamed

Dalia Mohamed

Languages: English, Arabic (Egypt)

Our resident expert on Qurʼān recitation, Dalia leads our longest standing educational program, Nūrāniyyah Academy.

Nailah Hasi

Nailah Hasi

Languages: English, Arabic (Libya)

Nailah is a student who loves volunteering for the community and working with kids.

Tanzeel Khan

Tanzeel Khan

Languages: English, Urdu, Hindi

Tanzeel is a dedicated student, footballer and youth leader with an easy-going personality.

Tyla Harrison-Hunt

Tyla Harrison-Hunt

Languages: English, Te Reo

A role model to many, Tyla is as self-less as they get. He can always be found doing something that makes a difference, from coaching basketball to mentoring at risk youth.

Huda Richards

Huda Richards

Languages: English

Huda has a big heart and passion for children and is committed to playing a role for the next generation on Muslims in our community.

Ceryse Scott

Ceryse Scott

Languages: English, Samoan

Ceryse is a part-time sociology student who enjoys supporting the diverse communities in Christchurch.

Hannah Tawfeek

Hannah Tawfeek

Languages: English, Arabic (Egypt)

Hannah is a fashion design student who also loves to film. She loves to work with the community and has a passion for helping youth.

Huda Hassan

Huda Hassan

Languages: English, Somali

Huda is studying social work at Ara, currently in her 3rd year. Who has an interest in photography, dancing & meeting new faces. In her free time, she enjoys, binge watching crime shows, game nights, learning about new cultures & exercising…sometimes.

Nadiah Ali

Nadiah Ali

Languages: English, Malay

When Nadiah isn’t busy being a scientist, or running community programs, you’ll find her in her happy place: scaling the grand NZ mountain peaks!

Abdul Baset Khalifa Hasi

Abdul Baset Khalifa Hasi

Languages: English, Arabic (Libya)

Abdulbaset is a sports Podiatrist and a keen footballer, with a passion for working with the Muslim youth of Christchurch.

Hashmat Lafraie

Hashmat Lafraie

Languages: English, Farsi

A lawyer by training, Hashmat was a leader of the Muslim student association in Otago before lending his skills to the team.

Ayesha Jones

Ayesha Jones

Languages: English, Malay

Ayesha loves learning about different cultures, which comes in handy in her role with NZ’s diverse communities.

Taalib Jones

Taalib Jones

Languages: English

The original patron of NC, Taalib’s long-standing support extends back to our organisational conception.

Zayid Jones

Zayid Jones

Languages: English, Malay

The founder of Nawawi Center, Zayid now lives in Thailand with his family, although his heart will always be in Christchurch.

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