Khalis Rashaad

Khalis Rashaad is the imam, religious, and spiritual director of Ibrahim Center. He has served the Muslim community in a teaching capacity for thirty years. His current studies with his teachers consist of theology, jurisprudence, and spirituality. His teaching style focuses on empowering others to engage with the Islamic tradition and apply it in their lives in a practical way. Khalis explores real-world applications of God’s law with a commitment to solving issues relevant to western believers whilst also educating the Muslim and non-Muslim public alike on the religion of Abraham (millat Ibrahīm). He likes to connect grand religious ideas with our messy human reality and articulate theological points of view to challenge and deepen our thinking. His focus is on Qur’anic exegesis (tafsīr), narrative building, and applied theology in an American context. He is deeply interested in how faith can practically and constructively speak to western believers’ social, political, and ethical interactions today. Similar to other teachers and scholars, Khalis holds certificates (Ijāzah) in jurisprudence and theology.

Amna Mulla

Amna is the Executive Director of Ibrahim Center. She is a native Houstonian and a mother of two children. She graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in supply chain management and information systems. She began her career in San Francisco in consulting, working across various industries before transitioning into the tech sector, where she organized and structured various start-ups during periods of massive growth. While in the Bay Area, Amna served the Muslim community at Taleef, where she learned about convert care and holding space for an authentic community.

In 2018, Amna and her family moved back to Texas, where she founded Ruh Karima, a women’s art collective. As the art director, Amna led various installations. Although Ruh Karima is currently on pause, Amna is excited to bring her experiential design expertise to IIC.

Amna has been a key member of our community for five years. During this time, she developed the Little Stewards children’s program (previously known as Suhba Camp) and played a crucial role in organizing and executing our largest Ramadan fundraiser.

Amna’s vision for IIC is to maintain our community’s intimate and supportive environment while fostering growth and visibility. She aims to create a space where everyone, including families, elders, and youth, feels at home.

Melanie Meleekah Villegas

Meleekah is the Administrative Director of Ibrahim Center. She is a Tejana born and raised in the west part of Houston, TX, and moved to 3rd Ward in 2001. She is an activist, community researcher, and artist working on issues related to health, wellness, and community development in Houston’s Third Ward community. Nurtured by service, mentors, and motivators, she develops her passion for transformation and renewal through the use of creative methods such as photography, drama therapy, and outdoor activation. She enjoys creating space for communal conversations, exploration, and healing as a creative connector to support socioeconomically disadvantaged communities through the Arts, Culture, and Care.