Tabari Zahir is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), a certified drug and alcohol counselor (CADC) in California and is the founding director of the LAMPS OF LIGHT PROJECT, the first behavioral health organization set up to treat Muslims who suffer from both chemical and behavioral addictions. He has a Master’s of Clinical Social Work, with an undergraduate degree in Arabic Language and Culture and is working toward his PhD in addiction studies. His specialization is in Dual Diagnosis (addictions combined with a mental health issue) and trauma. He has almost two decades of experience counseling, mentoring, and teaching the incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and inner city populations.

Zahir is also a student of sacred knowledge, studying in Pakistan, Morocco, Egypt, and has worked as a teacher in several Islamic institutions instructing high school and college students religious subjects which were infused with social justice concepts to prepare them for civic duty. He is also a regular khateeb around SoCal. One of Tabari’s greatest strengths is working with youth who have been negatively impacted by popular culture and he uses his own background as a bridge to teach lessons and convey wisdom to his students and clients. He used this skill set working as a chaplain at CSUSB and UCLA for four years. Tabari currently lives in Southern California.