Meet the Counselors

Sarah Huq

Hi everyone! My name is Sarah Huq, and I'm so excited to be one of the counselors at Mizaan this year! I'm from Paterson, New Jersey, and I'm currently studying Biomedical Engineering in college. I absolutely love working with kids and believe some of the best memories come from laughing, being silly, getting a little messy with arts and crafts, and just having fun together. When I'm not studying, you'll probably find me traveling, playing volleyball, or spending time outdoors. I love unplugging from my phone every once in a while, enjoying nature, and soaking in the moment. That's exactly what I'm looking forward to at Mizaan too: making unforgettable memories with the campers, sharing lots of laughs, and insha'Allah building lifelong friendships along the way. I can't wait to meet everyone and make this a summer to remember!

Abdullah Ahmed

Abdullah is from Hilliard, Ohio and is currently a premed student and Quran teacher. This is his first time being involved with Mizaan or any camp counseling experience. He enjoys hiking plus everything there is to offer in camping activities, and in his free time he stays engaged with reciting the Qur'an, sports, serving the people, and games. A fun fact about Abdullah is that he's never lost a race in his life, so if you're tryna get left in the dust, challenge him! He is most excited this year about starting college and seeing friends and family.

Aminata Coundoul

Hi! My name is Aminata, and I am a 26-year-old Registered Nurse based in New Jersey. This is my first year attending the retreat, and I am incredibly excited to join the Mizaan team and meet all of the campers. Although I am new to Mizaan, I have always enjoyed working with and supporting others, and I look forward to creating meaningful memories and building new friendships throughout the retreat. In my free time, I love reading and binge-watching TV shows and movies. Some of my favorite camp activities are kayaking, making s'mores, and playing volleyball. A fun fact about me is that I'm always looking for my next favorite book or TV series recommendation! This year, I am most excited about getting to know the campers, participating in all the activities, and being part of such a memorable and rewarding experience

Abdullah Rizvi

Salam everyone! My name is Abdullah Rizvi and I'm super excited to be a Mizaan Retreat counselor. I'm from Edison, NJ and have lived in NJ my whole life. I'm also a rising senior at Princeton University studying Public and International Affairs on a pre-law track. This will be my first year as a Mizaan counselor but inshallah not the last. My favorite camp activities are hiking and telling stories around a warm campfire. In my free time I love to read, explore the outdoors, and play pickleball. One fun fact about me is that I have an adorable cat named Pippin (named after the Lord of the Rings character). I have many pictures of him which I'd be happy to show anyone that asks. This year I'm most excited to expand my Islamic knowledge, go backpacking, and make more memories with family and friends.

Arsh Vahora

Hi, I'm Arsh Vahora! I'm from Norwalk, CT, and I work at IBM as an Onboarding Success Coordinator. This is my first year being involved with Mizaan, and I'm excited to be part of such an amazing community. My favorite camp activity is Capture the Flag because it's always fun, energetic, and a great way to bring everyone together. When I'm not at work or camp, you'll usually find me playing volleyball or football, or spending time with my family and friends. A fun fact about me is that I played football in high school. This year, I'm looking forward to meeting new people, making new friends, and creating great memories with everyone at camp. I'm also excited for volleyball season at InSports this winter!

Zeba Vahora

Hi! My name is Zeba Vahora, and I'm from West Haven, Connecticut. I'm currently studying Biology at the University of New Haven. This is my first year as a counselor with Mizaan Retreat, and I'm excited to meet new people, build meaningful connections, and create amazing memories with the campers and fellow counselors. One of my favorite camp activities is hiking because I enjoy spending time outdoors. In my free time, I love making bracelets - it helps me relax. A fun fact about me is that I love spending quality time with my family and playing games together. I'm most excited to get to know all of the campers, build new friendships, and help make this year's camp a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone!

Tracy John

Assalamu alaikum! My name is Tracy and I am super excited to be a camp counselor this year! I am from Teaneck and am currently working as a Registered Nurse at University Hospital. I have not been previously involved with Mizaan, but I have 3-4 years of prior experience as a teacher at an early education daycare as well as other camps in my community. Some of my favorite camp activities are obstacle courses, bracelet making, and making s'more's around a campfire! Some of my hobbies include hiking, singing, dancing, and playing card/online games with friends. A fun fact about me is that my absolute FAVORITE animals are orangutans! They are so gentle, curious, and intelligent! I am very excited to be working with varied ages of Muslim youth and inshaAllah leaving a beneficial impact on them as well as gaining new perspectives and knowledge from them!! Can't wait to meet you all! :)

Humza Iqbal

My name is Humza Iqbal, I'm 24 and I work in NYC as a product manager at HSBC. I've had 2 years of experience counseling for summer camps in Princeton. It's my first year as a Mizaan counselor but I've previously been a camper for 3 years. I live in Belle Mead NJ where I enjoy working on my car, going to the gym, hiking, and making things. My favorite camp activity has been watching the uncles vs counselors volleyball game. A fun fact about myself is that I treat every purchase I make like its own research project. I'm very excited to meet everyone this year at Mizaan!

Sana Vahora

Hi! My name is Sana Vahora, and I'm from Norwalk, Connecticut. This fall I'll be starting my freshman year at Sacred Heart University, where I'll be majoring in Biology and minoring in Neuroscience. This is my first year as a Mizaan counselor, and while it's my first time officially counseling at camp, I have experience caring for children and I'm excited to build meaningful connections with all of the campers. One of my favorite camp activities is kayaking, and in my free time I love drawing, painting, reading, and trying fun DIY projects. I also enjoy hiking and exploring new places. I'm looking forward to starting this new chapter in college while making unforgettable memories at camp, creating a fun and welcoming environment for everyone, and meeting all of the amazing campers and families this summer!

Zikra Vora

Hi! I'm Zikra, and I'm a student at the University of New Haven studying Interior Design and Pre-Architecture. I enjoy being creative, spending time outdoors, and trying new things. I love working with kids and creating a positive, welcoming environment where everyone can have fun and make lasting memories. I'm so excited to be a camp counselor this year, and I can't wait to meet everyone and make this an amazing summer together!

Codou Coundoul

Salam! My name is Codou and I am a recent college graduate. I enjoy reading, being in nature and water sports. Can't wait to have a fun weekend with you and your family!

Khalid Bilal

Counselor Advisor

Khalid is a career educator, coach, and international award-winning actor and poet based in Philadelphia. He has been counseling Muslim youth for nearly twenty years, including Muslim Youth Camp in California, being a founding counselor for Mizaan, and directing a summer camp in New Jersey. He's super excited to return to Mizaan! Ask him about his expertise in mitigating gaps in community experiences!