Meet Our team:
Selaedin Maksut
Selaedin Maksut is a recognized civil rights leader who has dedicated his career to advancing Muslims’ civil rights in New Jersey.
As Executive Director, Maksut leads a team of dedicated professionals and guides CAIR-NJ as it seeks to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Maksut received his Master’s degree in Islamic Studies with a specialization in in the pre-modern convergence of Sufism and Islamic political theory from Columbia University and his Bachelor’s degree in religious studies from New York University. Maksut traveled to Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and throughout the Balkans in pursuit of traditional studies of Islam and Muslim societies.
naureen akhter
Dyaa terpstra, MpA
Dyaa Terpstra, MPA is an alum of the Rutgers Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration; he earned an MPA with a concentration in Public Budgeting and Finance. During his undergraduate years, he was an accelerated MPA student and studied Public and Nonprofit Administration, and Political Science. Dyaa served as the Vice President of the Students for Justice in Palestine Chapter and in numerous other campus leadership roles, ultimately undergraduate student body President. He focused on tangible impacts for the student community and was the 2021 recipient of the Paul Robeson Award — the highest honor a student leader at Rutgers Newark can receive.
He was appointed to the Jefferson Township Board of Education in 2021 and won reelection for a 3-year term in November, 2021. Dyaa previously worked on the 2020 Census and worked on other political campaigns. In his role at CAIR-NJ, Dyaa focuses on the operational, financial, and administrative functions of the organization, but also dabbles in public engagements and advocacy.
norguia de la torre
Norguia De la torre is an experienced communications and marketing professional with a passion for storytelling, community engagement, and amplifying underrepresented voices. As Communications & Editorial Manager at CAIR-NJ, she manages the execution of the Muslim Life Storytelling Project, an initiative supported by the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium to tell stories of Muslim civic life across New Jersey. She also supports CAIR-NJ’s communications efforts across media relations, digital content, and public education initiatives.
Prior to joining CAIR-NJ, Norguia spent more than a decade working across communications, digital marketing, content strategy, and community-focused media initiatives in both the nonprofit and private sectors. Her work has focused on helping mission-driven organizations connect with diverse audiences through meaningful storytelling and strategic communications. Originally from the Philippines and now based in New Jersey, Norguia is passionate about civic participation, local journalism, and building platforms that help communities feel seen, heard, and represented.
Deeba Majid
Selaedin Maksut
Selaedin Maksut is a recognized civil rights leader who has dedicated his career to advancing Muslims’ civil rights in New Jersey.
As Executive Director, Maksut leads a team of dedicated professionals and guides CAIR-NJ as it seeks to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
Maksut received his Master’s degree in Islamic Studies with a specialization in in the pre-modern convergence of Sufism and Islamic political theory from Columbia University and his Bachelor’s degree in religious studies from New York University. Maksut traveled to Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, and throughout the Balkans in pursuit of traditional studies of Islam and Muslim societies.
Naureen akhter
Dyaa terpstra, MpA
Dyaa Terpstra, MPA is an alum of the Rutgers Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration; he earned an MPA with a concentration in Public Budgeting and Finance. During his undergraduate years, he was an accelerated MPA student and studied Public and Nonprofit Administration, and Political Science. Dyaa served as the Vice President of the Students for Justice in Palestine Chapter and in numerous other campus leadership roles, ultimately undergraduate student body President. He focused on tangible impacts for the student community and was the 2021 recipient of the Paul Robeson Award — the highest honor a student leader can receive. He was appointed to the Jefferson Township Board of Education in 2021 and won reelection for a 3-year term in November, 2021. Dyaa previously worked on the 2020 Census in two roles, and worked on political campaigns. In his role at CAIR-NJ, Dyaa focuses on the operational, financial, and administrative functions of the organization.
norguia de la torre
Norguia De la torre is an experienced communications and marketing professional with a passion for storytelling, community engagement, and amplifying underrepresented voices. As Communications & Editorial Manager at CAIR-NJ, she manages the execution of the Muslim Life Storytelling Project, an initiative supported by the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium to tell stories of Muslim civic life across New Jersey. She also supports CAIR-NJ’s communications efforts across media relations, digital content, and public education initiatives.
Prior to joining CAIR-NJ, Norguia spent more than a decade working across communications, digital marketing, content strategy, and community-focused media initiatives in both the nonprofit and private sectors. Her work has focused on helping mission-driven organizations connect with diverse audiences through meaningful storytelling and strategic communications. Originally from the Philippines and now based in New Jersey, Norguia is passionate about civic participation, local journalism, and building platforms that help communities feel seen, heard, and represented.