Board of Directors

President

David Purcell

David Purcell is the retired former CEO of Toyota in Papua New Guinea and has enjoyed working in the automotive industry for over 40 years. He has lived and worked in Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, and is a graduate of the General Motors University of Automotive Management in Detroit, Michigan. David served as a company director for over 12 years prior to his retirement and has been an active member of Toastmasters International for over 30 years.

David has volunteered for ISRA for more than eight years, conducting management, leadership, and communication courses for youth and community members. David is passionate about helping people succeed in their ambitions.

Vice President

Assoc Prof Zuleyha Keskin

Associate Professor Zuleyha Keskin is an accomplished academic and community leader with extensive experience in Islamic studies and higher education. She is the Associate Head of School at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation (CISAC) and the co-founder of ISRA Academy. Zuleyha facilitated the development of several university programs, including the Bachelor of Islamic Studies, Master of Islamic Studies, and Graduate Certificate in Islamic Psychology.

She is the Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of Islamic Studies and the Vice-President of the Australian Association of Islamic and Muslim Studies. Zuleyha has published and presented extensively on Islamic spirituality and contemporary Islamic studies.

Executive Director

Professor Mehmet Ozalp

Professor Mehmet Ozalp is an award-winning professor of Islamic studies and one of the most prominent Muslim community leaders in Australia. He is the founder and Director of the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation at Charles Sturt University, as well as the founder and standing Executive Director of ISRA (Islamic Sciences and Research Academy).

Mehmet is also the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Australian Journal of Islamic Studies. He is currently leading the establishment of the Sydney Islamic Art Museum. He has authored over 50 publications, including four books: 101 Questions You Asked About Islam, Islam in the Modern World, Islam between Tradition and Modernity: An Australian Perspective, and God in Islamic Theology.

Heather Fagan

Heather Fagan is an active member of the community with years of educational, community, and professional experience. She holds a Bachelor of Economics in Social Sciences with Honours from the University of Sydney, an Associate Degree in Policing Practice, an Associate Diploma in Public Safety (Policing Investigations), and a Master of Islamic Studies from Charles Sturt University.

Heather has held various prominent roles at ISRA, including First-Year Academic Mentor, Youth College Manager, Studies of Religion Coordinator, and New to Islam Ladies Support Lead. She is currently ISRA’s Production Manager for the publication of Islamic Studies textbooks for high schools.

Dr Imran Naing Win

Dr. Imran Naing Win is a GP from southwest Sydney, married, and a father of two. He is passionate about peacebuilding, youth support, and community work. He has contributed to interfaith and intercultural dialogue activities, public mental health support and education, and philanthropic work.

Dr. Imran has extensive experience serving on the boards and executive committees of various schools, professional associations, and non-profit community organisations.

Mouna Elmir

Mouna Elmir is a PhD candidate in the Department of Arabic Languages and Cultures at the University of Sydney. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Languages from Western Sydney University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Languages and Linguistics from the same university in 2012. She was awarded a Master of Philosophy with Distinction from the University of Sydney, with her thesis focusing on the English translation of the Qur’an. Mouna received the Golden Key International Honour Society Award for outstanding academic achievement at Western Sydney University.

Mouna is an Adjunct Lecturer in Arabic Language at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation at Charles Sturt University. Mouna is a regular and committed volunteer at ISRA and has a passion for community service.

Mirwais Ramaki

Mirwais Ramaki brings extensive national and international experience across humanitarian, governmental, and community-based organisations. He has served in senior operational roles with the United Nations in Afghanistan and Papua New Guinea, including as an Operations Manager, developing strong expertise in project management, risk management, financial governance, and operational oversight in complex environments.

He has been actively involved with ISRA Academy since 2016, contributing in various capacities including the HIRA Team, project management roles, and volunteering across multiple community initiatives. His long-standing engagement reflects a deep commitment to ISRA’s mission and the community it serves.As a member of the ISRA Board of Directors, Mr Ramaki is committed to strengthening governance, supporting strategic growth, and ensuring ISRA serves the community with integrity, accountability, and long-term vision.

Kamil Tarik Aydinlioglu

Kamil is a lawyer currently working as an Associate at Turks, a national law firm. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology Sydney in 2021 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2022. As a lawyer, he has specialised in commercial law, particularly commercial disputes and litigation.

He is an Amity College alumnus and has been involved with ISRA for many years. He has been an official member and volunteer at ISRA since 2022 and has contributed to numerous programs and projects, including teaching at the Qur’an Academy, serving on the Sohba Nights coordination team, and participating in the HIRA team. He is currently learning Arabic and aspires to study Fiqh with a focus on the Hanafi madhhab.