In 1992, Mufti Asif Iqbal started memorizing the Quran in Jamia Madinatul-Uloom in New Orleans, LA. Thereafter, he enrolled in the prestigious seminary Darul Uloom Al-Madania in Buffalo, NY to commence on a six-year intensive study of the core disciplines of a traditional Islamic education such as Arabic, Tafsir (Quranic Exegesis), Hadith (Prophetic Traditions), Fiqh (Jurisprudence) and other related disciplines. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2002. In 2004, he completed a post-graduate specialization program in Islamic Law and Legal Verdicts (Iftaa), which trains scholars to issue formal Islamic legal opinions (Fatwa). He served as the Imam and the director of religious affairs for Manassas Muslim Association in Manassas, VA from 2004 -2015. In 2016, he relocated to Louisville, KY to serve as the director and an instructor for HIRA Institute.

Mohammed Atif Iqbal, after completing his memorization in 1999 in Darul Uloom Al-Madania, continued his higher Islamic studies for a comprehensive and systematic study for six years, gaining proficiency in the core sciences of the traditional Islamic seminary curriculum. In 2007, Mufti graduated as an Alim, earning a Ijazaat to teach and transmit his knowledge. He also has Ijazah from Dr. Ismail Memon (rahimahullah) in Tazkiyah. In 2009 after completing Iftaa, he was given the honor of teaching in Darul Uloom Al-Madania. He served over a decade as a teacher and leader where he taught Usul al-Fiqh, Tafsir, Hadith, and Fiqh. He was actively involved in the institution's management and various extracurricular activities involving the students. He also ran the nonprofit Madania Community Center, activities geared for upliftment of youth and families in his locality. In 2022, Mufti Atif moved to Louisville, Kentucky, to HIRA Institute, where he serves as a teacher and a Director of Operations.

Imam Mohammed Wasif Iqbal grew up in Baltimore, MD and started studying the Quran at a very young age. He was able to memorize the entire Quran by the age of 13. Imam Wasif continued his studies at Darul Uloom Al Madania in Buffalo, NY. After eight years, he received Ijaazaat in various Islamic Sciences(including Arabic, Fiqh [Jurisprudence], Hadith, Tafseer, Tajweed, and Qira’ah). Imam Wasif graduated in 2008 with a Masters in Islamic Studies and has been serving as the Imam at the Louisville Islamic Center ever since.

To apply for a scholarship, students must have good Akhlaq and Adab, a strong academic record, and a desire to complete the memorization of the Qur’an or become an Alim. To apply for the 2024/2025 academic year, both parents/guardians are requested to submit their Federal Taxes and W2 for 2022. In lieu of W2, families can submit disability, food stamps, or social security award letters. Current families should submit documents by February 1, 2024. New families may submit documents until June 1, 2024. Parents and high school students must fill out the Zakat Eligibility Form
Parents/guardians will meet with the scholarship committee and sign the Payment Contract
In order to receive a scholarship, parents of elementary or middle school students must fulfill volunteer hours. High school students must complete work study hours. The volunteer and work study hours will be included in the scholarship offer.
Parents can volunteer:

• Helping in HIRA events
• Assisting teachers
• Substituting
• Tutoring
• Offering an after school program
• Office work
• Helping to collect donations
• Helping in the HIRA store
• Helping in the Lunch Program

Student work study can include:

• Helping in HIRA events
• Tutoring
• Offering an after school program
• Office work
• Helping in the HIRA store

Admission