Our Team
Ramah Awad, Executive Director
Welcome! My name is Ramah Awad and I serve as the Executive Director at the Majdal Center. I was born and raised in the San Francisco-Bay Area and graduated from Stanford University in 2017 with a B.A. in History and a minor in Anthropology. My studies and research focused on the Middle East, social movements, and refugee rights, specifically the plight of Palestinian refugees displaced from Syria. I joined Majdal Center in 2020 and am proud to be contributing to a stronger Arab community in El Cajon and the wider San Diego area. In 2024, I was selected as the Inaugural Palestinian Community Leader in Residence at UC San Diego and also awarded for Arab America 30 Under 30.
Contact: ramah@majdalcenter.org
Selma Hassane, Development Associate
Salaam w Marhaba! My name is Selma. I was born and raised in Algeria for the first few years of my life. I currently live in San Diego, on occupied Kumeyaay land. While attending UC Irvine, I was involved in establishing the on-campus FRESH Basic Needs Hub, which serves students in helping them meet their food and housing needs. Since graduating with a B.A. in International Studies and Sociology, I currently serve as the Host Homes Coordinator at Home Start, and work on identifying housing resources for youth in East County. I also serve as the Development Associate with the San Diego Organizing Project. I am co-chair on the Majdal Center Steering Committee and am excited to support work around developing resources and tools of empowerment for our communities in El Cajon.
Contact: selma@majdalcenter.org
Mohammed Abdulkareem, Case Management Specialist
Hi, my name is Mohammed, and I am a Community Health Worker with the Majdal Community Center. I was born in Iraq, Baghdad and moved to the US in 2015. In Iraq, in 1999, I was studying electronic engineering but due to the war in my country I had to stop. When I moved to the US, I started working with the Syrian Community Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where I supported refugee families with Arabic interpretation and translation. I also worked with the Immigration Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) in Ontario, Oregon, and from that I gained a lot of experience about helping families. I’m looking forward to joining and supporting the San Diego community through the Majdal Center.
Contact: mohammed@majdalcenter.org
Subrein Damanhoury, Program & Communications Coordinator
Hi, my name is Subrein. I was born and raised in San Diego and spent most of my summers in Palestine with my family. I graduated from San Diego State University with an Interdisciplinary degree in Arabic, Political Science, and History with a focus in the Middle East. During college, I studied abroad at the American University of Sharjah to learn more about the Arabic Language, its different dialects and the political economic structures of the region. After graduating, I worked for Youth Will where I advocated for youth rights on a local level after learning how little our youth are being supported. When I’m not working, you can find me reading about Palestine and its beautiful, vast history and culture.
Contact: subrein@majdalcenter.org
Farida Erikat, Youth Programs Manager
Marhaba jamia'an! My name is Farida Erikat, and I am a Palestinian-Muslim born and raised in San Diego. I recently graduated from UC Irvine where I studied Psychology and Education. In my time in university, I discovered my passion for working with youth as a mentor, camp counselor, teaching assistant, and tutor. As such, I'm thrilled to be joining Majdal's team as a Youth Justice Fellow, where I hope to create a space of empowerment for the Arab youth in our community. I currently work at the San Diego Refugee Communities Coalition as a Project Specialist, where I work with Community Health Workers to address institutional health inequities. In my free time, I enjoy reading, listening to Arabic music, trying new desserts, and spending time with my large family, including my two lively cats. I grew up spending much of my spare time in El Cajon visiting family, so I'm looking forward to learning how to better serve this community!
Contact: farida@majdalcenter.org
Zahraa Harbi,
Office Coordinator
Hello, My name is Zahraa, and I serve as an Office Coordinator with Majdal Arab Community Center of San Diego. I was born in Baghdad, Iraq. I graduated with a Law degree from Al-Turath University, Baghdad. I came to the U.S. with my family, looking for a better life. I attended classes at Cuyamaca College. In my work path, I have learned many things and had a good experience for the past seven years. My goal is to assist the families in our community. Please feel free to contact me if you need any assistance in any possible way.
Contact: zahraa@majdalcenter.org
Aalaa Alzoubi,
Adult
Education Coordinator
Hello, my name is Aalaa and I am the Adult Education Coordinator at Al Majdal Center. I was born and raised in Syria and moved to the United States in 2016. In Syria, I was working as an Arabic language teacher, music teacher, but because of the war and the situation in the country, I had to leave. When I moved to the United States, I focused on learning English and enrolling in college. I also began working at San Diego State University as an Arabic teacher. I’ve gained a lot of experience in the field of teaching, leading seminars and organizing lectures. I look forward to joining and supporting the San Diego community through the Majdal Center.
Contact: aalaa@majdalcenter.org
Ryan Fan,
Advocacy & Campaign Manager
Marhaba wa salaam ya jamaa3a! My name is Ryan Fan, and I am excited to serve as the Advocacy and Campaign Manager at the Majdal Center, through the ACLS Leading Edge Fellowship. I hold a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies from UT Austin, with a focus on Arabic dialects and the signed languages of the Arab world. Prior to joining Majdal, I taught Arabic for five years at UT Austin, and I spent another five years designing and piloting the Arabic program for San Francisco public schools. I created student and staff programming to expand cultural and political awareness, while also advocating alongside families for improved language and education access. Originally from San Francisco, I lived in Egypt (2009-2012) and Morocco (2016-2018) as an Arabic student and Fulbright researcher. I've worked with newcomers and refugees both in the USA and abroad, and I look forward to supporting the Arab community in San Diego!
ADVISORY BOARD
Nadine Hassoun
Salam! I’m Nadine Hassoun and I serve as Chair of the Advisory Board I was born in San Diego, raised abroad, and moved back to attend San Diego State University, where I first became involved in student organizing with Students for Justice in Palestine. I received an MSc in Development Economics from SOAS, University of London, and I currently work as an Economic Development professional for local government. When I’m not community organizing, I’m experimenting in the kitchen by baking cakes, cookies, and more, hiking and exploring our beautiful coast, or hanging out with my two cats, Che and Katafani.
Contact: nadine@majdalcenter.org
Yasmeen Obeid
Assalamu Alaikum everyone! My name is Yasmeen Obeid and I am a Muslim-Palestinian community organizer and Advocate. I was born in Los Angeles, and raised in Palestine until I graduated high school. I am an Ethnic Studies graduate from the University of California, San Diego, and currently serve as the Advocacy & Campaigns coordinator with Majdal Center. I also serve as an advisory board member for Borderlands for Equity, a pro-bono civil rights organization. I previously worked as a Neighborhood Captain and Youth Organizer with Mid-City CAN, where I focused on ensuring City Heights residents are civically aware and engaged by participating in the Census and elections. In my free time, I love being outdoors and in nature, especially hiking. I also love listening to audiobooks and spending time with family and loved ones. I look forward to continuing the work with our Arab communities in El Cajon, Insha’Allah!
Contact: yasmeen@majdalcenter.org
Jeanine Erikat
Jeanine Erikat brings years of experience in community organizing, policy, and advocacy. Jeanine graduated from UC Irvine with a B.S. in Public Health Sciences and B.A. in History. She currently works at Women’s Foundation California as a Program Manager with the Dr. Beatriz Maria Solís Policy Institute (SPI). Prior to Women’s Foundation, Jeanine served as a Policy Associate at the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans.
Asmaa Khierallah
Asmaa Khierallah is a community member who resettled to San Diego County from Syria in 2016 with her husband and three children. Asmaa has been involved with the Majdal Center since its establishment, and has been foundational in the development of the Center’s vision, strategy, and programs.