ILF Instructors come with a wide variety of backgrounds and qualifications. Instructors are selected on their deep understanding of Islam, related topics and mission of the Quran and are certified by well-known institutes. They are also experienced teachers and prominent scholars, Imams and community activists.
Shaykh Omar Suleiman:
Shaykh Omar Suleiman is the Imam of Masjid Abu Bakr Al-Siddique in New Orleans, LA and a member of the ICNA Shariah Council. He is also the outreach director of ICNA Relief in Louisiana. Born and raised in the United States, he embarked on his journey to study traditional Islamic sciences in the year 2000 in the United Arab Emirates primarily under the instruction of Sheikh Tariq Ibn Rajah (hA) and other noble scholars from Umm Al Qura. He also spent much time in the company of his wife’s father, Sheikh Husam Mubarak, and benefitted greatly from him.
He then went on to earn a Bachelors degree in Islamic Studies along with a Bachelors degree in Accounting accompanied by a wide array of Diplomas and Certifications in various Islamic Disciplines with emphasis on Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and Dawah. He is currently pursuing a Masters degree with emphasis on the “Fiqh of Minorities.”
Imam Omar recently joined the Sharia Academy of America as an instructor through which he conducts online University courses and intensive weekend seminars in the areas of Fiqh, Usool Al Fiqh, Dawah, and Hadeeth.
He is also a founding member and steering committee member of the East Jefferson Interfaith Clergy Association.
Imam Khalid Griggs:
Imam Khalid Fattah Griggs accepted Islam in 1972. He is the Imam of The Community Mosque of Winston-Salem in North Carolina. This is a position he has held since 1984. He is also co-chairman of the North Carolina-based Black Leadership Roundtable of Winston-Salem-Forsyth County.
A Political Science and English graduate of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Griggs has been active in the Muslim and African-American communities. He was part of the anti-Vietnam war movement in the late 1960s and was also involved with the Islamic Party in North America in the 1970s after his conversion. This group, composed of predominantly Muslim African-Americans, was active in Dawa to the African-American community.
Griggs co-founded the Institute for Islamic Involvement in the early 1980s and edited its journal, Vision, for six years. More recently, he served as editor of The Message magazine. Imam Griggs currently hold board chair position for ICNA Council for Social Justice.
Imam Wazir Ali, M.S., R.D., C.S.R, L.D.
Recipient of the Muslim Journal’s prestigious “Imam of the Year Award” for 2010, Imam Wazir Ali is the Imam of the historic Masjid Warithud-Deen Mohammed and Masjid Al-Qur’an, both located in Houston, Texas. Imam Ali completed an eight year mentorship program in Islamic Sciences under the guidance of Imam Qasim Ahmed and is a student of the preeminent American Muslim scholar, the late Imam Warithud-Deen Mohammed (rha).
Imam Ali co-translated selections from Al-Kamali’s “Khutbahs Through the Ages” in a book titled “Selected Khutbah Introductions” and assisted in the research for “Birth of the Arabic Verb”, “Form and Structure of the Qur’an” and the “You Can Learn Qur’anic Arabic” correspondence course.
Imam Ali, an entrepreneur, kinesiologist, registered dietitian and board certified specialist in renal nutrition, owns a private nutrition consulting firm in Houston. Imam Ali is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree in clinical nutrition, holds a MS in kinesiology, a BS in nutrition, a BS in psychology and plans to pursue a graduate degree in Ulumul-Qur’an and Tafseer in the future.
Hafiz Tauqer Shah:
A young and inspirational speaker, Hafiz Tauqer Shah, brings a unique perspective and contemporary understanding to the classical teachings of Islam. He comes from a family of religious scholars and started his Islamic education at the tender age of 4. He completed the memorization of the Quran when he was 12 years old. He went on to pursue an extensive 4 year Alim Course from Jamia Binoria International. He also holds a Bachelors degree from the University of Houston in Business Administration and is currently working towards his Masters degree. He currently serves as the Imam at the Wilcrest Center of Islamic Society of Greater Houston.
He has pioneered many new projects in the community:
- In 2007 he started a weekly radio show called Radio Islam On-Air which caters to the needs of over a 150,000 Muslims in Houston.
- In 2008 he founded the Houston Huffaz Association, the single largest community of Huffaz in North America.
- He is also a member of the Khutbah Committee for ISGH where he is tasked with the responsibility of recruiting and training new Khateebs.
- He has also represented Islam at various forums including The Texas Governor’s Office, Houston Mayor’s Office, Houston Police Department, and many Inter-Faith events.
Haffiz Tauqer is currently focusing on Youth and Dawah initiatives with the desire to spread Islam into new frontiers while strengthening the current generation of Muslims in America.
