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Meet the Tahfeedh Team
Imam Wasif Iqbal - Director of Tahfeedh
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.
Imam Ismail Patel - Tahfeedh Teacher
Ismail Patel, a native of Buffalo, New York, has cultivated a profound understanding of Islamic teachings through his dedicated education at the esteemed Darul Uloom Al-Madania in Buffalo. In 2021, he successfully attained a Masters in Islamic Theology and Divinity, wherein he undertook comprehensive coursework encompassing the Arabic language, Exegesis of the Holy Qur'an, Tajweed, Aqeeda, and Islamic Jurisprudence. Furthermore, he obtained formal authorization in Hadith Sciences, reflecting his expertise in this field. Presently, Ismail Patel serves as an Imam at HIRA Institute as well as the Finance and Operations Manager.
Fouzia Shaikh - Director of Girls Tahfeedh
Ustadha Fouzia Shaikh has had the honor of memorizing the entire Quran and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Islamic Studies from Darul Uloom Al-Madania in Buffalo, New York. She teaches Qur’an memorization both for the Tahfeedh Program as well the Weekend Program.
Suosan Dyri - Tahfeedh Teacher
Suosan Dyri is originally from Syria but moved to the United States in 2000. She attended many halaqahs for learning the rules of tajweed in Philadelphia. Then, she moved to Louisville in 2009 where she continues to attend halaqahs for tajweed in MCC. In 2018, she completed a course to teach Qaidah An Noraniah. She is currently working on memorizing the Holy Qur’an.
Heba Baker - Tahfeedh Teacher
Heba studied Sharia in Jordan. She has certificates in the Holy Quran and the rules of intonation. Studied at the Abdul Majeed Quranic Center for the Holy Quran Memorization Society in Jordan.
Zeinab Hamado - Tahfeedh Teacher
Zeinab Hamado graduated from University of Louisville with a B.A. degree in Biology. She volunteers at the Muslim Community Center of Louisville and at the Islamic School of Louisville to help with various events and to teach Arabic, Quran and Islamic Studies.
At HIRA Institute, she teaches middle school science and high school chemistry.
Additionally, she is teaching Islamic Studies in Sunday School.
Maysa Shahin - Tahfeedh Teacher
Maysa Shahin has a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Jordan. She received a certificate in Islamic Education from Zad Academy. She was part of a Qur’an memorization class from Madina for three years and continues to memorize the Holy Qur’an.
Hana Alsharawi - Tahfeedh Teacher
Hana has a bachelor degree in business administration from University of Hebron Palestine. She participate in many workshops here in Louisville and online. She has a certificate for Al Qadia Al noraniah(القاعدة النورانية ) and a certificate for Bidyah(بداية). This year is her fifth year volunteering at MCC (Saturday Halaqa) for teaching the Quran and is also a second year student online for learning Arabic and tajweed.
Aziza Iqbal - GLIC After School Tahfeedh Teacher
Ustadha Aziza Iqbal was born in Hamilton, Canada. She moved to Buffalo, NY at a young age and received her education in the traditional Islamic sciences from the renowned institution Darul-Uloom Al-Madania in Buffalo, NY. After graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2000, she served as a teacher and an advisor at the same institution until 2004. Thereafter, she moved to Virginia and served as a tutor and a mentor until 2015. In 2016, she moved with her family to Louisville KY to serve as an instructor for HIRA Institute.
Imam Ishaq Patel - GLIC After School Tahfeedh Teacher
Imam Ishaq Patel was born and raised in Buffalo, New York. He acquired his Islamic knowledge at the Darul Uloom Al-Madania in Buffalo. He received his Masters in Islamic Theology and Divinity in 2020. The course included Arabic language, Exegesis of the Holy Qur’an, Tajweed, Aqeeda, Islamic Jurisprudence and received authorization in Hadith Sciences. He is currently working as the Imam in the HIRA Musalla in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Islamic Studies Team
Imam Ismail Patel - Elementary Islamic Studies Teacher
Ismail Patel, a native of Buffalo, New York, has cultivated a profound understanding of Islamic teachings through his dedicated education at the esteemed Darul Uloom Al-Madania in Buffalo. In 2021, he successfully attained a Masters in Islamic Theology and Divinity, wherein he undertook comprehensive coursework encompassing the Arabic language, Exegesis of the Holy Qur'an, Tajweed, Aqeeda, and Islamic Jurisprudence. Furthermore, he obtained formal authorization in Hadith Sciences, reflecting his expertise in this field. Presently, Ismail Patel serves as an Imam at HIRA Institute as well as the Finance and Operations Manager.
Hana Alsharawi - Elementary Islamic Studies Teacher
Hana has a bachelor degree in business administration from University of Hebron Palestine. She participate in many workshops here in Louisville and online. She has a certificate for Al Qadia Al noraniah(القاعدة النورانية ) and a certificate for Bidyah(بداية). This year is her fifth year volunteering at MCC (Saturday Halaqa) for teaching the Quran and is also a second year student online for learning Arabic and tajweed.
Mufti Atif Iqbal - Middle School Islamic Studies Teacher
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 an Ijazaah 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.
Maysa Shahin - Middle School Islamic Studies Teacher
Maysa Shahin has a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Jordan. She received a certificate in Islamic Education from Zad Academy. She was part of a Qur’an memorization class from Madina for three years and continues to memorize the Holy Qur’an.
Mawlana Mohammad Sharieff - High School Islamic Studies Teacher
After completing his memorization of the Quran in 2012, Br. Mohammad then pursued his higher Islamic education in Darul Uloom Al-Madania. There he completed the Alim program and graduated in 2018. His B.S. in Childhood Education K-6 from Buffalo State Universy is further complemented by a CELTA certification from the University of Cambridge. As a licensed educator in NY, Imam Mohammad's educational positions include being a math tutor in Erie Community College, a middle school teacher in Darul Uloom, and a high school Arabic teacher in Global Concepts Charter School. In 2024, Brother Mohammad will move to Kentucky, to HIRA Institute, where he will serve as a Middle and High School Islamic Studies, English, and History Teacher. He will also develop the curriculum for Year 2 to 6 of the Alimiyyah Program and complete the Islamic Studies Program for Tahfeedh students for 3rd to 12th Grade.
Hala Buazza - Middle and High School Islamic Studies Teacher
Currently working towards an Honors certification at Suhba Seminary (a five-year carefully designed curriculum under the guidance and mentorship of Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui), Hala is also working towards completing a certified character development coach diploma, which combines knowledge of Prophetic emotional intelligence along with the practical application of character development in the classrooms. She studied Islamic Studies for more than 15 years and has completed various workshops and classes under scholars such as Dr. Anwar Hajjaj, Dr. Waleed Basyouni, Dr. Yasir Qadhi, and Shaykh Mokhtar Maghraoui. She also was a mentor and Islamic Studies weekend teacher in Hong Kong for 10 years. Hala now teaches and gives halaqas in the community.
Tuition
| Description | Payment |
|---|---|
| Elementary/Middle School | $7800/year or $650/month for 12 months |
| High School | $10,200/year or $850/month for 12 months |
- Monthly tuition is due by the 8th of the month.
- The academic year is from August to July. All students are required to attend the fall, spring, and summer sessions.
- Payments can be made by cash, check, Jupiter, or Zelle school@hirainstitute.org.
- $250 discount if paid in two payments in July and December.
- $500 discount if paid in one payment due in July.
- $500 discount for each additional child.
- Families who are two months late on monthly payments may be withdrawn from the school.
Scholarships
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 2025/2026 academic year, both parents/guardians are requested to submit their Federal Taxes and W2 for 2024. In lieu of W2, families can submit disability, food stamps, or social security award letters. Current families should submit documents by February 1, 2025. New families may submit documents until June 1, 2025.
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
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:
To apply for the 2025/2026 academic year, both parents/guardians are requested to submit their Federal Taxes and W2 for 2024. In lieu of W2, families can submit disability, food stamps, or social security award letters. Current families should submit documents by February 1, 2025. New families may submit documents until June 1, 2025.
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
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
- Helping in HIRA events
- Tutoring
- Offering an after school program
- Office work
- Helping in the HIRA store
Admission
The Tahfeedh Program for 3rd Grade to 12th Grade is a Qur’an Memorization Program. Students study Tahfeedh for four hours daily as well as academic for three hours daily to fulill their high school graduation requirements.
Click HERE to begin the application process.
First, student transcripts should reflect a strong academic background.
Second, students need to enroll in the Summer Qur’an Program to be considered for admission.
At the end of the Summer Qur’an Program, students will be informed if they will be accepted to the full-time Tahfeedh Program.
Click HERE to begin the application process.
First, student transcripts should reflect a strong academic background.
Second, students need to enroll in the Summer Qur’an Program to be considered for admission.
At the end of the Summer Qur’an Program, students will be informed if they will be accepted to the full-time Tahfeedh Program.
Achievements
| Name | Juz Memorized |
|---|---|
| 5 Students | 1 |
| 4 Student | 2 |
| 8 Student | 3 |
| 7 Student | 4 |
| 3 Student | 5 |
| 5 Student | 6 |
| 4 Student | 7 |
| 2 Student | 8 |
| 2 Student | 9 |
| 3 Student | 10 |
| 1 Student | 13 |
| 1 Student | 14 |
| 2 Student | 15 |
| 2 Student | 16 |
| 1 Student | 17 |
| 1 Student | 19 |
| 1 Student | 22 |
| 1 Student | 24 |
| 1 Student | 25 |
| 4 Student | 30 |
To date the total Juz memorized in total is 518 Juz
The average Juz memorized by the students is 9 Juz
The number of Hafiz students that HIRA Institute has graduated is four Hafiz.
Number of students to become Hafiz
| Year | Number |
|---|---|
| May 2021 | Hafiz Muad Yusuf in 8th Grade |
| May 2022 | Hafiz Anas Ali in 12th Grade |
| May 2023 | Hafiz Muhammad Yusuf in 6th Grade Hafiz Mustafa Malik in 11th Grade |
| May 2024 | Sadiq Ibrahim in 6th Grade Musab Malik in 10th Grade Muhais Noor in College |
| Expected Graduates May 2025 | 6 students insha Allah |