OUR MISSION
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Ta'leef provides the space, content, and companionship necessary for a healthy understanding and realization of Islam.
The word “ta’leef” in Arabic means to reconcile and in the context of our work it means to bring hearts together. Inspired by the root word in the Qur’anic verse (8:62-63), God says: “It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers. And brought together their hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have brought their hearts together; but Allah brought them together. Indeed, He is Exalted in Might and Wise.”
Ta’leef was founded in 2005 as an outreach program for those seeking support on their journey into Islam. We thrive on the support of our dedicated volunteers and community, who continue to keep Ta’leef a positive force of energy built on love and service. With campuses in both the Bay Area and Chicagoland, we offer classes, events, retreats and one on one mentorship for seekers to the tradition, newcomers, and the youth. Through dialogue, education, and fellowship, we hope to create a sense of family and community - a place to “come as you are, to Islam as it is” - where both our Muslim and American values co-exist in beautiful harmony and healthy spiritual practice of our faith.
OUR STAFF
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Mike Swies
Director of Outreach & Community Engagement
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Mike earned his Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology from Rush University in 2008, specializing in swallowing disorder assessment and rehabilitation, and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry at Bayan Islamic Graduate School. He has served Chicago’s convert community since 2007 through convert-centered social gatherings and educational programs. Mike joined Ta'leef Collective in 2009 as Convert Care Coordinator, mentoring those new to Islam, assisting people in embracing the faith, and providing pastoral care. He now serves as Director of Outreach & Community Engagement, overseeing programs and services aligned with Ta’leef’s mission and the communities it serves.
Tasha Raymer
Community Care & Business Operations Coordinator
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Tasha earned her bachelor's in Arabic and Islamic Studies from the University of Kentucky in 2018, while just being interested in Islam. Through a long faith journey of her own she became muslim in 2022 on a spiritual journey during the month of Ramadan.
She currently serves as the Community Care and Business Operations Coordinator at Ta'leef Collective.
Supporting individuals who are exploring Islam or new to the faith with a compassionate and relational approach.
Tasha provides guidance, care, and connection to resources that help individuals feel welcomed, supported, and rooted in community.
Her work focuses on meeting people where they are and walking alongside them as they navigate questions of faith, identity, and belonging.
Dr. Will Caldwell
Education Director
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Dr. Will has served for years as a Convert Care Coordinator and now serves as the Director of Education at Ta’leef. He embraced Islam in 2006 while in the blessed city of Jerusalem on his journey towards becoming a priest. He’s spent years teaching foundational classes on Islam, delivering sermons, administering to the needs of the community, providing support and pastoral care to Seekers & Newcomers to Islam. He received his PhD from Northwestern University focusing on the History of Islam in America.
Mousa Al-Sweis
Chicago Operations Manager
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Mousa Al-Sweis has a deep belief in faith through service and love. He brought this commitment to Ta’leef in 2023 in the role of Operations Manager of Chicago Campus. Mousa works to cultivate a community where anyone can feel at home through running Ta’leef's programming smoothly, organizing yearly retreats and programs, and always having a warm smile. Mousa has lived and worked in Chicago’s southwest suburbs for over 20 years. Being a father has taught him an even deeper meaning of what service and love means. When he is not collecting oud or rings, you can find him catching an MMA fight.
OUR BOARD
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Nilofar Meah
Board Member
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A proud native of the Bay Area, Nilo has been part of the Ta’leef community since its inception. Nilo is the founder of Handheld Births, a platform dedicated to supporting and empowering families through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. For the past 15 years, she has served as a dedicated doula and now Midwife, supporting families through one of life’s most transformative journeys: becoming parents.
As a mother of four children ranging in ages 19 to 4, her commitment to community extends beyond birthwork. She has a strong passion for ensuring that young people have spaces like Ta’leef where they feel welcomed, valued, and inspired to thrive.
Melissa Westbrook
Board Member
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Became a member of the Ta’leef community approximately 5 ½ years ago when she first attended the Being Muslim classes at Ta’leef’s Chicago campus. Since then, she has attended 5 Newcomer’s Retreats, participated in many classes held by Ta’leef, became a volunteer, joined the Board, and in December 2021, went to Mecca and Medina with Ta’leef to perform Umrah. Melissa works in the private sector and is Senior Managing Director, Co-General Counsel and Head of Private Funds-Legal for Guggenheim Partners Investment Management where she has worked since moving to Chicago from New York in 2006. Melissa attended the University of Missouri, Columbia. After she graduated from college, she went on to attend New York University School of Law, where she graduated. She currently lives in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago with her three children.
Dr. Naveed Mallick
Board Member
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Was born and raised in Chicagoland. He has worked and lived on Chicago’s Near South Side for over 20 years. Naveed has been practicing internal medicine and sleep medicine in multiple settings, including the Cook County Health System, IMAN clinic, and in private practice. His current role is Chief of Medical Staff at INSIGHT Hospital & Medical Center, the nation's first Muslim-led safety-net hospital. His community work has focused on Muslim initiatives on the south side of Chicago, and he has been attending Ta’leef since 2012. He is the proud father of four and is currently working on getting his table tennis game to the next level!
Zeeshan Mukhtar
Board Member
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Co-Founder and former BOD President of ILM Tree, an innovative Muslim homeschooling cooperative based in Nothern California. He is an accomplished business and technology leader with 25 year experience in energy procurement, policy, and strategy. As a father of 3 young men, he is very passionate about engaging youth in religious and social activities. He believes that Ta'leef is an organization that strengthens the youth's attachment to Islam and connects them to the Muslim community.
Dr. Mohammed Awad
Board Member
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A lifelong Chicago native, Mohammed is a sports-medicine subspecialized orthopedic surgeon and entrepreneur who completed his surgical training at Midwestern University and Wayne State University. His work reflects a broader commitment to service and caring for others beyond the healthcare setting. He is the founder of Pilgrim Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access and removing financial barriers to spiritual and educational journeys, creating pathways for growth, reflection, and deeper purpose. His involvement with Ta’leef Collective reflects a shared commitment to bringing hearts together through meaningful connection and service. Whether through his work or his ventures, Mohammed values the moments that draw people closer. He has a deep appreciation for coffee and the culture around it, seeing it as a simple ritual that creates space for conversation, reflection, and genuine connection. As a husband and father of three, he remains grounded in family, service, and community.
Nikia Marie Bilal
Board Member
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Is a lawyer, editor, and writer based in Chicago, Illinois. She currenly serves as Manager of Programs at the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) where she acts as a bridge between program staff and the development department to ensure complaince with large grants. A Chicago native, Nikia earned her B.A. in Communications from Loyola University Chicago and her J.D. at DePaul University College of Law. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading fiction, and practicing her very rudimentary skills as a djembe player.
Aaqib Adnan
Board Member
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A former archaeologist and current consultant, Aaqib has been part of the Chicago community for nearly 20 years. He has been actively involved in community service, developing programs, and supporting nonprofit efforts focused on education, youth, and faith.
Since being introduced to Ta’leef in 2015, he has been a longtime volunteer, helping to create spaces rooted in service, connection, and learning. He values being part of a community that brings people together in meaningful ways.
