Our Story: Empowering Community Advocacy in Omaha
The American Muslim Institute (AMI) is a vibrant Muslim community in Omaha, Nebraska, dedicated to establishing a Masjid (place of worship) and Islamic cultural center. Our center promotes learning, research, and meaningful dialogue, celebrating the rich history of Islamic civilization and the diverse cultures of Muslims around the world.
We are a local, autonomous non-profit organization whose members are passionately committed to our mission, vision, and core values. AMI is non-denominational and deeply committed to diversity and inclusion. Our Masjid welcomes all Muslims regardless of gender, race, creed, or national origin. Men and women have equal opportunities to participate in all activities and may serve at any level of leadership.
AMI has a unique and powerful impact on Omaha's Muslim community. We offer Friday prayers and religious activities, a monthly lecture series, an annual conference, youth education and extracurricular programs, leadership development, and university partnerships to advance Islamic research and curriculum development.
Beyond our Muslim community, AMI actively promotes intercultural exchange and a spirit of unity that transcends cultural, linguistic, and geographic differences. Members of all faiths are always welcome.
AMI is a proud founding member of the Tri-Faith Initiative of Omaha — a globally unique project that brings together a synagogue, a church, and a mosque on shared grounds, united by a common desire to foster mutual understanding, respect, and friendship. We look forward to a lasting partnership with our brothers and sisters of the Abrahamic faiths.
Board Of Directors
Karim Khayati
President & Co-Founder
Karim Khayati is a co-founder of AMI and currently serves as its President. He also serves as a board member of the Tri-Faith Initiative of Omaha. Both roles reflect his deep passion for building a thriving, diverse, and connected community in Omaha.
A native of Tunisia, Karim earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the Institut des Hautes Études Commerciales in Carthage, Tunisia. He moved to the United States in 1998 and went on to earn his MBA from Creighton University. He has proudly called Omaha home ever since, where he and his wife, Olfa have raised their four children.
Karim is a seasoned information technology professional with extensive experience across a diverse range of industries, including agribusiness, financial services, and software development.
Dr. Hesham Basma
Vice President
Dr. Hesham Basma has been a proud member of the AMI Board of Directors since 2014, contributing his expertise and leadership to help guide the organization's mission and growth.
Dr. Basma earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences, with a specialization in Biochemistry, from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. He was subsequently awarded a two-year scholarship to conduct doctoral research at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, and went on to receive his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Al-Azhar University.
Dr. Basma came to Omaha in 2001 to join the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) as a Postdoctoral Research Associate. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UNMC, and also works as an on-call pharmacist at Lakeside Hospital's inpatient pharmacy.
Farhan Khan
Treasurer
Farhan Khan has been a dedicated member of the AMI Board of Directors since 2011 and currently serves as Treasurer. He also serves as a board member of the Tri-Faith Initiative of Omaha and is actively involved in numerous community organizations throughout the greater Omaha area.
A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Farhan has proudly called Nebraska home for over 25 years. He and his wife, Fatima are the proud parents of two children.
As a business owner and committed community leader, Farhan continues to invest his time, energy, and passion into making Omaha a stronger and more connected community for all.
Dr. Nassiba Adjerid
Board of Directors
Dr. Nassiba Adjerid earned her Bachelor's and Doctoral degrees in Biological Sciences from Virginia Tech. She currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha.
Dr. Adjerid and her family have been a cherished part of the Omaha community since 2008.
Marium Ilahi, MD
Board of Directors
Dr. Marium Ilahi joined the AMI Board of Directors in late 2017. She is a board-certified internal medicine physician with a specialization in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. Dr. Ilahi brings a wealth of medical expertise and a deep commitment to community well-being to her role at AMI.
Bintou Taal
Board of Directors
Bintou Taal has been a proud member of the AMI community since 2017. She serves as the Manager of SCADA Systems at Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD), bringing strong technical leadership and operational expertise to her professional role.
Bintou holds a degree from Bellevue University and an Emerging Leader Series certificate from the University of Nebraska Omaha. She is deeply passionate about education and environmental justice, and is an active and dedicated volunteer in the greater Omaha community.
Nizam Qassem
Board of Directors
Nizam Ahmad Qassem has proudly called Omaha home since 1990. He is married with two children and two grandchildren, and has served as a Senior Professional Engineer at Valmont Industries since that same year.
An active and devoted AMI member since the organization's founding, Nizam has contributed in countless ways over the years — volunteering for Sunday School, delivering Friday Khutbahs, calling the Adhan, and reciting the Quran. He also conducts AMI community tours and participates in a wide range of activities, all driven by his passion for promoting Islamic education among community members and non-Muslims alike.
Moe Elatta
Board of Directors
Moe Elatta has been a proud member of the American Muslim Institute since 2017. Over the years, he has contributed meaningfully to the community through a range of initiatives, including fundraising campaigns, community potlucks, Ramadan Iftars, and helping organize the highly successful Taste of Palestine event in June 2024.
Professionally, Moe serves as the Director of Delivery Engineering at Lunavi, where he leads a talented team of Delivery Engineers. With over 16 years of experience at Lunavi, he has played a pivotal role in application modernization efforts leveraging Microsoft Azure.
Moe holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Bellevue University. Originally from Sudan, he spent much of his upbringing in Saudi Arabia before moving to the United States during his senior year of high school. He has since proudly made Omaha, Nebraska his home.
Moe is married and the proud father of three boys, two of whom — Taji and Aydin — attend the AMI Academy. He is deeply committed to fostering meaningful connections within his family and the broader AMI community, and works tirelessly to support its growth and mission.
Feroz Mohmand
Board of Directors
Feroz Mohmand brings a remarkable history of service, diplomacy, and advocacy to the AMI Board of Directors. He served as Press Coordinator for H.E. Hamid Karzai, the former President of Afghanistan, where he played a vital role in managing communications and strengthening public relations during a pivotal chapter in the nation's history. He also served as a Liaison Officer at the U.S. Embassy and collaborated with numerous international organizations, building relationships essential to diplomatic efforts and humanitarian aid.
Having once been a refugee himself, Feroz deeply understands the challenges faced by displaced individuals — and that lived experience fuels his lifelong commitment to advocacy and service. His journey to becoming a U.S. citizen only deepened his dedication to community building and empowering others. He has served as a board member of the Refugee Empowerment Center (REC), working to support refugees through vital programs, and at the Afghan Islamic Community Center of Omaha (AICCO), where he promoted cultural integration and community cohesion.
Feroz is married to Gharghashta — known warmly as "G" — a remarkable woman who made history as one of the youngest individuals ever elected to Afghanistan's Parliament.
As a board member of the American Muslim Institute, Feroz remains deeply committed to fostering understanding, collaboration, and socio-economic development across Omaha's diverse communities.