Dr. Hatim Yousef – Executive Director, Founder, Head of Islamic Studies and Language Arts
Dr. Hatim Yousef’s journey through sacred learning took him across the UAE and Jordan, where he delved into the intricacies of sacred law under the guidance of venerable traditional scholars. After several years of this immersive education, he embarked on a new chapter in the United States, dedicating himself to teaching Islamic Studies and stepping into the role of Executive Director at an Islamic school.
During his time overseas, Dr. Hatim’s commitment led him to memorize the Quran and obtain several Ijazas, empowering him to impart the nuances of tajweed and hifdh. His studies encompassed Islamic jurisprudence and Quranic sciences, under the tutelage of distinguished scholars in this realm. Fluent in both Arabic and English, his profound grasp of Shariah’s foundations enabled him to effectively transmit Islamic teachings to non-Arabic speakers through both online and in-person settings.
Upon his arrival in the United States in 2008, he became an integral part of the ADAMS center in Sterling, Virginia. Here, Dr. Hatim assumed roles as an Imam and instructor, offering enlightening classes spanning Arabic grammar, hadith, seerah, tafsir, and tajweed. His teaching endeavors further extended online, including Islamic Studies and Islamic Life coaching at Qibla.com and subsequently at Kiflayn.com.
Beyond his instructional efforts in Islam and Quran, one of Ustadh Dr. Hatim’s standout talents lies in interpretation. His profound fluency in both languages and his rooted understanding of Shariah facilitated skillful translation of a diverse array of articles. During his time in the UAE, he served as an interpreter at the University of Sharjah and played a pivotal role in translating religious fatwas for Seekers Guidance.
Dr. Hatim’s academic journey is punctuated by a degree in English and translation, an MA in English and literature, and a PhD in Linguistics. Currently, he resides in Virginia, USA, alongside his family.
Sevim Kalyoncu – Naturalist, Environmental Educator
Sevim Kalyoncu is an environmental educator with a passion for helping children understand and connect with nature. Her classes include Chesapeake Bay Watershed education and local plant and animal identification as well as lessons in camping and outdoor skills. She also serves as the Executive Director of Green Muslims, a nonprofit organization aimed at guiding Muslims towards environmental stewardship, where she leads educational nature hikes and Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences (MWEEs) and emphasizes Islamic teachings about human responsibility towards nature and nature’s role in connecting humans with their Creator. Sevim teaming up with NGA is absolutely crucial, given that one of our core missions is to get children in touch with nature. Throughout the school year, she’ll be joining forces with us to ramp up our science programs every month. She is also on board for our summer program extravaganza.
Coach Kareem – Physical Education, Head Trainer
Coach Kareem specializes in training athletes. He is dedicated to helping athletes of all levels reach their full potential and achieve their goal through speed and agility training. He also trains mindset and effort. He played collegiate and professional football. His knowledge comes from NASM and sports performance seminars from various organizations. He works with DC United Academy and various high school teams in the Northern Virginia area.
Ahmad Ghassab – Art Instructor
Ahmad Ghassab, an artist, designer and calligrapher, was raised in Amman, Jordan, to a Palestinian family where his innate passion for drawing and painting was nurtured by his father. Moving to the United States for his education broadened his cultural horizons and deepened his understanding of global struggles. His artwork seamlessly blends Eastern and Western influences, reflecting themes from his homeland while embracing diverse motifs from his personal experiences.
Beyond his artistic endeavors, Ahmad is deeply committed to education and community engagement. He shares his expertise with young people, fostering a love for art and activism while guiding them towards excellence. Through his dedication to nurturing the next generation of artists and his ability to transcend geographical boundaries with his art, Ahmad Ghassab leaves an enduring legacy of unity, empathy, and inspiration.
Samira Al-Ani – Science Teacher
Samira Al-Ani is an experienced educator with over 16 years of experience in the education field, spanning across the US, Iraq, and Qatar. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Al-Mustansiriya University in Iraq. Throughout her career, Samira has held various roles, including Science and Mathematics Teacher, Physics Teacher, Professional Development Coordinator, School Vice Principal of Academic Affairs, and Professional Development Specialist. She is fluent in English and Arabic and proficient in computer applications, email, and social media. Samira’s expertise lies in educational program coordination, teacher training, and academic administration.
Iram Naz Khaliq (Amina) – Classroom Teacher, Administrator
Amina pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Art and Education at Marymount University in Arlington. She had also earned an Associate of Science in General Studies, an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, and an Associate of Fine Arts in Fine Arts from Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), where she studied from August 2005 to June 2008. She served as an Elementary School Teacher and Assistant Teacher at different Islamic schools, where she assisted struggling students across subjects such as English, Math, Science, and History. She provided targeted support by pulling students from their regular classrooms for one-on-one sessions, addressing their specific needs and ensuring their comprehension of various assignments. She also played a key role in guiding students through project development and presentations and facilitated their learning through engaging field trips throughout the school year.
Dr. Michael Mathew – Curriculum Developer
Dr. Matthew earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Argosy University, School Administration and Supervision Certification from Johns Hopkins University, and Masters of Science in Education and Dual Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Anthropology from Central Connecticut State University. His background includes: Customizing and facilitating social and emotional programs for schools; developing policies, handbooks, ethical codes of conduct, and professional expectations for non-profit school-based organizations; creating and leading workshops for teachers on a variety of topics; and volunteering educational consultation services to affect positive change under certain circumstances.
Rebeca Membreno – Administrator
Rebeca is a dedicated mother of four who is deeply passionate about the outdoors, gardening, and community service. She delights in teaching children how to love and appreciate the environment, fostering a sense of stewardship and wonder in the natural world. Before starting her family, Rebeca had a successful career as an executive assistant to the CFO of a prominent communications company in Tyson Corner, VA. Her professional journey included living overseas, which broadened her perspective and enriched her experiences. Driven by a desire to contribute to her community, Rebeca co-founded a non-profit consignment shop aimed at raising funds for the operational costs of the local mosque. In this role, she skillfully managed inventory, coordinated volunteers, and created advertisements to promote sales, demonstrating her organizational acumen and commitment to service. Now, Rebeca continues to blend her professional skills with her personal passions, nurturing her family and community while instilling a love for the environment in the next generation.
Ammar Abo Oun – Quran & Math Teacher
Ammar is a committed college student at George Mason University, where he is balancing his academic studies with completing his Quran Hifth under several teachers with ijazat while also studying the science of tajweed. Alongside these pursuits, Ammar has accumulated experience in sales and e-commerce business management from a young age, enhancing his skills in both communication and strategic planning. He has a passion in fostering and helping the growth of the next generation of young Muslims while continuously striving for his own development.
Sulaima Arbak – Quran & Arabic Teacher
Sulaima Arbak is a highly qualified instructor with expertise in Quran, Tajweed, Arabic, and English. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Istanbul and multiple international certifications from UCLA and ijazas from renowned Tajweed scholars in Jordan and America. With a diverse teaching background, including experience in private Islamic elementary schools in the US and public middle schools in Turkey, Sulaima is comfortable working in multicultural settings and creating student-centered learning environments. As a dedicated and adaptable educator, she empowers students to reach their full potential through personalized support and encouraging self-discipline. Her approach has consistently yielded demonstrable success, fostering engaging learning environments that promote academic excellence.
