Event Recap
A night of leadership and belonging
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, ISB Atlanta hosted its annual Gala in Downtown Atlanta, bringing together more than 500 leaders from faith, business, civic, and nonprofit sectors. The evening was dedicated to honoring community leadership, celebrating Muslim contributions, and advancing ISB’s mission to combat bigotry through education and engagement.
We were proud to present Chris Womack, President and CEO of Southern Company, with ISB Atlanta’s Distinguished Leadership Award. Chris’s vision and commitment to building a stronger, more connected Atlanta reflect the very values that guide ISB’s work—diversity, innovation, and community building.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and attendees, the 2025 Gala was a tremendous success. Together, we strengthened our shared commitment to fostering understanding and creating a more welcoming Atlanta.
Honored with
Chris WomackPresident & CEO
Southern Company
Recipient of the
ISB Atlanta Distinguished Leadership Award
Leadership of the Evening
Honorary Co-Chairs & Host
Honorary Co-Chair
Christian Fischer
President & CEO, Georgia-Pacific
Honorary Co-Chair
Somia Farid Silber
CEO, Edible Brands
Gala Host
Saleemah Abdul-Ghafur
Watch
Highlights from the evening
With Gratitude
2025 Gala Sponsors
Presenting
-
Southern Company
Ambassador
- Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation
- Georgia-Pacific
Dignitary
- Edible
Diplomat
- Atlanta Braves
- Nexclin Medicine : Dr. Naima Cheema
- Cox Enterprises
- Amin Tomeh and Rula Edilbi
Emissary
- Coca-Cola Foundation
- Lovett School
- Matrix Engineering
- Kathy Colbenson
- Dr. Ahmad Hashem and Serene Taleb-Agha
- Dr. Nabile Safdar and Dr. Rabeaa Janjua
Partner
- Diane & Kent Alexander
- Ankle and Foot Specialist, Dr. Naim Shaheed & Associates
- Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam
- Amana Funds
- Anonymous
- Aventure Aviation
- Mohamed and Teresa Balla
- The Baig Firm
- Bearing Witness Institute/The Marist School
- The Chouhan Law Firm, LLC
- Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta
- Dr. Carmen Echols
- Friends of Soumaya Khalifa
- Drs. Rana Hajjeh and Emad Elkebbi Hajjeh
- Inspiritus
- Faraz Iqbal & Fara Habib
- Dr. Mohamed & Soumaya Khalifa
- Dr. & Mrs. Yousuf Khalifa
- Dr. Bilal & Farah Khan
- Ohio River South
- Drs. Amanda & Joseph Phillips
- Zaffer and Aalia Sange
- Nouha Zaabab and Omer Arpinar
Looking Ahead
Join us for the 2026 Annual Gala
Saturday, October 10, 2026 · Downtown Atlanta
Honoring The Blank Family