Rawida abuKhalil

Rawida Abukhalil is a lifelong activist, community advocate, and an unwavering champion for individuals with special needs. As a mother to five, including children with special needs, Rawida intimately understands the unique joys and struggles faced by the families AMAANA serves. Her experiences over the last 25 years have led her to become a beacon of support and a compassionate ear for families navigating the complex journey of caring for children with disabilities.

Rawida taught Islamic Studies at JMA’s Main Ave. Campus for over 10 years. She has completed numerous classes at Al-Maghrib Institute, including Yasser Birjas’ “Project this House” and “The Art of Manners” with Ustadh Majed Mahmoud.

Driven by the teachings of Islam and a sense of duty to all in need, Rawida is a pioneer for disability advocacy in the New Orleans Muslim community. Faith, relentless advocacy, and the urgent need to provide a safe, religiously and culturally appropriate day program in the Muslim community led Rawida to co-found AMAANA, Louisiana’s first Islamic community resource center dedicated to caring for and uplifting Muslims and family members living with disabilities.