The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) has appointed Azhar Azeez as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2026, bringing to the helm a veteran leader with over 25 years of institutional knowledge and extensive nonprofit management experience. The appointment signals ISNA’s commitment to combining continuity with innovation as one of North America’s largest Muslim organizations enters a new phase of leadership.
Decades of Service Culminate in Top Role
The ISNA Board of Directors announced Azeez’s appointment in an official statement to the community, describing the milestone as representing “an exciting opportunity for ISNA to embrace dynamic leadership, innovation, and growth rooted in our Islamic values.” The board expressed “great joy and optimism” about the leadership transition, indicating strong confidence in Azeez’s ability to guide the organization forward.
Azeez assumes the position after an extensive career spanning both corporate America and the nonprofit sector, where he has served as CEO and senior executive at prominent Muslim charitable organizations. According to the board’s announcement, his track record includes overseeing “large-scale operations, leading program development, and guiding highly successful fundraising initiatives.”
Deep Institutional Knowledge Sets New CEO Apart
What distinguishes Azeez’s appointment is his intimate familiarity with ISNA’s internal workings and strategic direction. He previously served as President of ISNA and has maintained active involvement as a dedicated board member for more than a quarter-century, providing, as the board described, “invaluable institutional knowledge and a deep understanding of ISNA’s mission, vision, and the evolving needs of our community.”
“Br. Azhar has played a pivotal role in advancing community engagement and strategic partnerships,” the ISNA Board of Directors stated in their announcement.
This combination of external nonprofit leadership experience and internal organizational understanding positions Azeez to navigate both operational challenges and strategic opportunities facing American Muslim institutions.
Building Bridges Across Diverse Communities
The board emphasized Azeez’s reputation for relationship-building and collaborative leadership, noting he is “widely respected for his ability to build strong relationships within the community and strengthen collaboration across diverse groups.” This skill set appears particularly relevant given ISNA’s role as an umbrella organization serving a religiously, ethnically, and demographically diverse North American Muslim population.
His appointment comes at a critical juncture for American Muslim institutions, which increasingly must balance traditional religious values with modern organizational management, digital engagement, and evolving community needs spanning multiple generations.
Community Support and Spiritual Framework
The board’s announcement was framed within explicitly Islamic language and communal values, opening with traditional greetings and closing with supplications for divine guidance. “May Allah guide our efforts and grant us success,” the board stated, reflecting the faith-centered approach that characterizes ISNA’s institutional culture.
In their message, the board extended an invitation to the broader Muslim community: “We invite our entire community to join us in supporting him as he begins this new chapter in our shared effort to serve the ummah.” This appeal for collective backing suggests ISNA views the leadership transition as a community-wide endeavor rather than merely an administrative change.
Strategic Priorities Ahead
The board also prayed for “a smooth transition and continued success for ISNA,” indicating preparations are underway for Azeez to assume full operational control by the new year. His fundraising expertise, combined with established relationships across Muslim American institutions, positions him to potentially expand ISNA’s programming, outreach initiatives, and financial sustainability.
As CEO, Azeez will oversee ISNA’s national conventions, educational programs, interfaith initiatives, and advocacy efforts while managing the organization’s operational infrastructure and staff. The coming months will likely focus on strategic planning and stakeholder engagement as ISNA charts its course under new executive leadership, with the broader Muslim community watching closely to see how this appointment shapes one of America’s most prominent Islamic organizations.