On May 9, 2026, nearly 200 students, alumni, faculty, donors, and community members gathered at the Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center at UT Dallas for TISA’s annual Benefit Luncheon, held shortly after the seminary’s third commencement ceremony. The event celebrated the institution’s recent growth while also focusing on its future plans and long-term sustainability.

The afternoon began with opening remarks from Chaplain Javeria Ahmed ’27, followed by a Qur’an recitation and translation by TISA Trustee Ust. Michael Wolfender ’25. Board Chair Dr. Iqbal Unus then welcomed attendees and reflected on how far the institution has come since its founding. He spoke about the importance of building spaces for Islamic scholarship and leadership that are rooted in the American Muslim experience.

Several guest speakers addressed the audience throughout the luncheon. Dr. Tamara Gray, founder and CEO of Rabata and a longtime supporter of TISA, is also a former member of the TISA Academic Council and a former visiting faculty member, spoke about the value of sacred knowledge and the responsibility of preparing future generations of scholars and leaders. Visiting faculty member Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans also shared reflections on identity, service, and the role scholarship can play in strengthening communities.

Richardson Mayor Amir Omar attended the event as well and acknowledged TISA’s growing presence within both the local community and the broader educational landscape in North Texas.

One of the more inspiring moments came during the fundraising appeal led by Azhar Azeez, former TISA Trustee and current CEO of the Islamic Society of North America. He reminded attendees that institutions like TISA are built gradually through years of sacrifice, consistency, and community support.

Dean Yasir Qadhi later delivered remarks titled “The TISA Difference,” where he emphasized the seminary’s approach to combining traditional Islamic studies with an understanding of modern social realities. He described the importance of producing graduates who are not only grounded in scholarship, but also capable of serving communities across contemporary American society.

Support from local organizations was visible throughout the room. Representatives from the Islamic Center of Irving, East Plano Islamic Center, Islamic Association of Collin County, Sachse Muslim Society, and Islamic Association of The Colony were among the many groups in attendance. Their participation reflected the growing relationship between TISA and Muslim communities across North Texas.

The luncheon also included an awards presentation recognizing individuals and organizations for their service. Dr. Iqbal Unus and newly appointed Chief Academic Officer and Executive Vice President Dr. James Jones presented the honors.

Masjid Al-Islam received the Leadership Legacy Award for its longstanding contributions to the Muslim community in North Texas and its history of service and leadership. A Continuous Charity received the Leadership Future Award for helping students avoid riba while pursuing higher education and for its continued support of TISA since the institution’s early years. The Alumni of the Year Award was presented to Omar Al-Ani (‘23) in recognition of his ongoing service and involvement in the community.

The biggest announcement of the afternoon came when Dr. Iqbal Unus officially introduced Abdullah al Mamun, TISA’s current Chief Strategy Officer, as the institution’s next president beginning in July 2026. According to Dr. Unus, the Board of Trustees reached the decision after closely reviewing his leadership and contributions to the seminary over the past several years.

The announcement drew a strong response from attendees, many of whom stood and applauded following the news.

In his remarks afterward, Abdullah al Mamun thanked the Board of Trustees and Dr. James Jones for their trust and mentorship. He spoke candidly about the responsibility that comes with leadership and acknowledged the work of donors, staff, volunteers, students, and supporters who helped the institution reach this stage. He emphasized that TISA’s progress has always depended on collective effort rather than any single individual.

This year’s luncheon committee was chaired by Trustee Manzur Mahmud, who worked alongside board members, staff, students, alumni, and volunteers to organize the event.

As the luncheon came to a close, the overall message of the day was clear: TISA continues to grow because of consistent support from the communities and individuals who believe in its mission and are willing to invest in its future.