Executive Committee Members
President: Ahmad Bilal Faridi, MD
Vice President: Ibtesam “Sue” Barazi
I have been working as a Humanitarian Civil rights activist since my retirement from 29 years of service as Assistant Area Director with US Dept. of Labor –OSHA.
I have served as Vice President of the Islamic Association of WV for the past 5 years.
Since my retirement, I have dedicated my time to serve my community. Working with the interfaith community to spread peace and understanding in the greater Charleston diverse community to break down walls and remove barriers of fear and misconception about immigrants and specifically Muslim Americans and their contribution to our adopted country, the United States of America. I have conducted many faith-based outreach activities such as rallies and conferences to achieve that goal and promote cross cultural understanding. As the refugee crisis grew, the need to actively work to help settle them in our beloved city became my priority in order to save lives and allow refugees who were uprooted from their homeland by violence and destruction, to have safe, normal lives. Keeping with West Virginia welcoming culture, together with other faith and community leaders, WVIRM was formed 3 years ago. I have served as the Vice President of the group ever since its official formation in 2016.
In addition to my duties as Vice President of both IAWV and WVIRM.
Currently I serve on ACLU-WV Board of Directors for the past 2 years.
I received the WV Governor’ 14th Annual Civil Right Award for Humanitarian work 2017.
Additionally, I was the recipient of the Healthy Kids and Families Coalition West Virginian of the year Award for 2017.
Received ACLU – West Virginia 2018 Champion for Justice Award.
This past summer I was asked to be part of the “Feminist Crush Podcast, season 4” which is a series of Podcast interviewing 25 women activists, group leaders and organizers of Charleston WV. You can hear it currently on iTunes.
Treasurer: Shadi Abu-Halimah, MD
Dr. Abu-Halimah is an Associate Professor of Surgery at West Virginia University.