Our Team
Dedicated to Building a Stronger Community Together
The Hazara Association of Queensland’s (HAQ) team is made up of dedicated leaders, volunteers, and supporters working together to empower the Hazara community. With a shared commitment to growth and positive change, our team drives HAQ’s mission to provide vital social services and foster community unity in Queensland.
President
Our president has volunteered with HAQ since the first community event in Brisbane in 2005. He is a full-time civil engineer by profession and is passionate about giving back to the community in any way possible. In his spare time, he enjoys cycling, running, gardening, playing soccer, and spending time with his family and friends, especially his little daughter.
He has a vision for developing supportive environments so that everyone in our community can thrive in their new home and our younger generations can feel connected to their roots. cultural heritage.
Treasurer
Our treasurer is one of the respected founders of the Hazara Association of Qld Inc. Ever since his 2005 he has had an active leadership role in the community and has served as the president in the earlier years.
Mr Hussaini, has lead the community radio (Avai Dost) as the convener when it was active. In 2012 he was in the Maulana Cooperative Foundation (بنياد تعاوني مولانا) leadership team. He has been serving as the elected treasurer of HAQ from 2019 till now. In his spare time, Mr Hussaini loves to gardening, painting, playing keyboard and spending time with his family and friends.
Secretary
Khadija Adeli is a former youth and teenagers’ coach with over a decade of experience, as well as an accomplished educator and former principal. Since 2022, she has served as a board member of the Hazara Association of QLD (HAQ) and later continued her impactful work as the organization’s secretary.
Passionate about bridging generational divides, fostering creativity, and empowering women, she is deeply committed to addressing gender inequality and inspiring meaningful change.
Beyond her professional contributions, she enjoys reading, movies, walking, sewing, and cherishing time with her family. Through her leadership and advocacy, Khadija continues to leave a lasting impact and inspire individuals to achieve their full potential.
Internal Fundraiser
Taher Forotan one of the founding members and the first president of the association, has been involved in community activities since 2005 . Before arriving in Australia in 2000, he worked as a GP in private practice and with various international organizations and national NGOs supporting Afghanistan in health, education, and community development sectors during the Soviet Union occupation.
In Australia, he worked with QPASTT which supports refugees and asylum seekers from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds to overcome the trauma of the past and begin a healthy and successful life in Australia. In recognition of his work in this job, he received the Pride of Australia Gold Medal in 2013.
Now retired, he spends his time reading, watching movies and documentaries, listening to music, gardening and spending time with family and friends. Taher believes that having a good network of social supports, integration into the wider community, and a focus on education and skills development are key to a successful life in Australia for members of the community, especially the younger generation.
Cultural Committee
Rahela Waseeq has been a board member of Hazara Association since early 2024. Rahela graduated Master of Podiatric Medicine from UWS. She owns and runs her own Podiatry clinic. In her spare time, she loves reading and listening to books, attending and organising book clubs, going to the gym, gardening, sewing, and spending time with family and friends. She is passionate about promoting Hazara culture, womens health, and youth mental health. She believes that a strong community is built on strong and happy families.
Finance Committee
One of the founders of the Hazara Association of Queensland (HAQ), Ali Kakaei has served as a board member, including roles as secretary and treasurer. He is also a representative of both HAQ and the Hazara Council. Ali owns his own business and is passionate about supporting the Hazara community’s integration into Australian society while preserving cultural identity and embracing new opportunities through education. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, camping, and spending time with family and friends.
IT, Media & Marketing
Dawood Karimi has been a member of the Hazara Association of Queensland since early 2024. Dawood holds a Master’s in Information Technology and works as an IT Project Manager with the Queensland Government. Passionate about helping his community, Dawood is dedicated to promoting sports and wellness within the Hazara community.
In his spare time, he enjoys volleyball, going to the gym, reading, and working on DIY projects. He believes that with strong teamwork, any community can achieve great results and make a lasting positive impact.
Social Committee
Mahboobah Mohammadi has been an active HAQ member since 2020 and is currently one of the board Members.
She works with the Dept. of Education and ICYS (Ipswich Community Youth Service). In her spare time, she enjoys listening to TED Talks, books, watching movies, going for walks and road trips.
She is passionate about closing the intergenerational gap within CALD communities and youth issues. She believes that early support and guidance provided to young people improves their chances of making wiser decisions. She is a strong advocate for youth wellbeing and a life mentor for them.
Cultural Committee
Yunus Soltani has a long history of working in various social services, such as teaching and enforcing healthcare services. Yunus has always been committed to contributing to public communities and helping them grow and develop.
In 2021, he joined HAQ and became a board member in 2023, motivated by his strong belief that the Hazaras have much to offer when they work together in an inclusive and accepting institution. Currently, he is working in construction while also contributing to HAQ as needed. In his spare time, he enjoys pursuing his hobbies such as following sport, a stroll along the beach, and spending quality time with his family.
Cultural Committee
Nazif Safdari has been an engaged board member of the Hazara Association of Queensland since 2021. Currently completing his Bachelor of Laws, Nazif is committed to advocating for and supporting the Hazara community, drawing on his background in law and community service. His vision is to build a strong, inclusive community that empowers Hazara families to thrive and helps younger generations stay connected to their cultural heritage.
Cultural Committee
Mohammad Ali Amini, aka Haji Kashani, has been a dedicated leader in HAQ since 2022, actively contributing to various community initiatives.
As a business owner at JCP, he brings valuable expertise and a passion for service, with community welfare being his top priority. His commitment to helping others and fostering a supportive environment exemplifies his deep-rooted connection to HAQ and its mission. Kashani envisions a vibrant and inclusive community where everyone feels empowered to participate and thrive. His approach is to work collaboratively to address challenges and celebrate successes together.
Cultural Committee
Assadullah Kazimi has been with HAQ since 2021. He is a mechanic and the director of Aus Auto Wreckers. He loves to travel, play soccer, take walks, and spend time with his family.
Assadullah is passionate about volunteering and helping the community whenever he gets the opportunity. He loves the Hazara culture and believes that if we pass the beauty of our culture to younger generations, we will pave the way for success.
Cultural Committee
Naeem Ahmadi has been an active member of HAQ since 2022 and has been a Board member since 2024. Ahmadi holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and works as an Electrical technician.
In his spare time, he enjoys talking to friends, going on vacations with his family, and playing soccer. He is interested in the deep and rich culture of the Hazaras and intends to contribute to development, unity, and empathy within the community by identifying cultural capacities among the Hazara Community.
