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Meet Muhammad
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Muhammad began his path in Islamic scholarship early. At 14, he moved to Mauritania and memorized the Qur’an, then continued his studies in Jordan and Turkey—earning ijazas in Tajweed and Hadith and deepening his training in Fiqh and calligraphy under renowned scholars.
After years of traditional study and teaching, Muhammad came to Bayan to strengthen how he engages academically and serve people more intentionally through spiritual care and chaplaincy formation.
“Bayan helped me learn how to research properly, critique ideas, and be objective—while also teaching me how to connect with Muslims on a personal level. It helped me work with youth in a way that truly changes them, not just fills their minds.”
- Qur’an memorization in Mauritania (began at age 14)
- Ijazas in Tajweed and Hadith; studies in Jordan & Turkey
- Now based in Toronto, continuing advanced Islamic theology studies
Meet Imam Tariq El-Amin
Imam Tariq El-Amin, a graduate of Bayan’s Master of Divinity program and Muhammad Ali Scholarship awardee, exemplifies the purpose of donor-supported formation. Through rigorous scholarship and pastoral training at Bayan, he deepened his grounding in Islamic tradition while developing the leadership skills necessary to serve diverse communities with wisdom and compassion.
Today, he serves as Resident Imam of Masjid Al-Taqwa in Chicago and is recognized for his leadership in civic and interfaith engagement across the region. His work bridges spiritual care, public responsibility, and community leadership.
- Graduate of Bayan’s Master of Divinity Program
- Muhammad Ali Spiritual Leadership Scholarship Awardee
- Leader in civic, interfaith, and community engagement
Imam Tariq’s journey from student to scholar to community leader demonstrates what sustained donor investment makes possible. When you support Bayan, you help cultivate leaders who strengthen families, build resilient institutions, and carry sacred knowledge into the places it is needed most.
Meet Shaykh Didmar Faja
Shaykh Didmar Faja serves as the Imām of the United Islamic Center of Arizona (UICA) in Glendale and is the founder of the Greenway Academy, as well as two Islamic centers in Mexico. He is also the head of the Imams Council of Arizona and an instructor at Madina Institute USA.
With a Master of Divinity in Islamic Chaplaincy from Bayan Graduate School, Shaykh Didmar continues to guide students and communities through Qur’an recitation, Islamic jurisprudence, and Islamic spirituality. His leadership bridges scholarship and service across Albania, Turkey, Mexico, and the United States.
“The sincere love for the Prophet ﷺ elevated the Companions into leaders of the world, adorned with justice and morality. Likewise today, if we plant that love in our hearts and reflect it in our lives, we can transform our societies.”
Meet Zuhaira Razzack
Zuhaira Razzack is a respected educator, community leader, and one of the most influential voices in Islamic school development in Texas.
She earned her M.A. in Islamic Studies & Leadership from Bayan Islamic Graduate School as part of the Class of 2021. For more than two decades, she has shaped the academic and spiritual landscape of Islamic education in Houston.
As a former principal, Advisory Panel member, and founding member of ILM Academy, Zuhaira has dedicated her life to strengthening Islamic schools and supporting the next generation of Muslim learners and leaders.
Her leadership extends well beyond the classroom. She has served on the Boards of:
- Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
- Council of Islamic Schools of North America (CISNA)
- Risala Foundation Advisory Board
- ISNA Education Forum Planning Committee
Zuhaira continues to be a powerful advocate for improving the academic and social dimensions of Islamic schools and has spoken publicly on Islam and Muslims in America.
"Graduating is a part of a dream come true." — Superintendent Zuhaira Razzack
Meet Kori Majeed
Kori Majeed, a Bayan Islamic Studies graduate (Class of 2022), has been shaping conversations around environmental justice and mindful living in Muslim communities.
Since 2013, she has used her Green Ramadan platform to encourage Muslims to eat mindfully and cultivate sustainable habits rooted in Islamic principles of stewardship and justice. Her work shows how Islamic scholarship can meet today’s pressing challenges.
- GreenFaith Fellow & Master Naturalist-trainee
- Chair of the Green Team at Masjid Muhammad, the Nation’s Mosque
- Co-author of Forty Green Hadith on environmental justice
- Bayan Graduate (Islamic Studies, 2022)
“Islam calls us to give all of Allah’s creation their rights. Green Ramadan is about living that truth every day.” — Kori Majeed
Meet Nora Zaki
Chaplain Nora Zaki, MDiv, has completed her MA in Islamic Education at Bayan. She has served as a university chaplain (Vassar, Bard, Dominican), the first Muslim hospital chaplain at Tampa General Hospital, and a volunteer prison chaplain—walking with people through grief, hope, and healing.
Nora writes and teaches on Qur’anic ethics and tazkiyat al-nafs. Her trajectory reflects Bayan’s mission to equip Muslim women with rigorous knowledge and practical pathways to serve communities across campuses, hospitals, and masājid.
Meet Adrian “Ashir” Kirk
Adrian “Ashir” Kirk is the founder and Executive Director of the Measured Tones Institute of Quran, a nonprofit dedicated to teaching proper Qur’an recitation (tajwīd). His journey began early — at just 16, he left school to study Arabic and Islamic sciences in Syria and Morocco, where he earned two ijāzahs in Qur’anic recitation.
Before launching his institute full-time in 2021, Ashir spent years teaching in Ohio and Tennessee. A Bayan graduate with a Master of Divinity in Islamic Chaplaincy (Muhammad Ali Scholarship), he now serves his community as Imam of Midtown Mosque in Memphis, TN, Director of Interfaith Relations, and Outreach Coordinator for the Muslim Prisoner Project. He is also a husband, father, and budding children’s author.
The Return on Your Investment
Because of your stewardship, leaders like Ashir can pursue knowledge, serve with compassion, and uplift communities. Your support ensures that the Qur’an, prophetic wisdom, and dedicated leadership continue to bloom.
Meet Jacquelyn “Jackie” Crutchley
Sister Jackie, a Jersey-born, Philadelphia-based convert who accepted Islam in 2016, is a shining example of how converts strengthen our ummah through knowledge and service. A descendant of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, she has dedicated her career to community leadership and advocacy.
She serves as a Senior Program Coordinator at the American Association for Cancer Research and the Core Lead for Embrace Philadelphia, a project of ICNA. Jackie also completed her MA in Islamic Leadership at Bayan, equipping her with the knowledge to organize and uplift communities with compassion and ihsān.
- Former Program Chair, Women International Leaders of Philadelphia
- Experience in business development, events, and organizing
- Advocates for inclusivity, equality, and servant leadership
“My journey began with knowledge and practice, but it was Allah who inscribed Islam and hijab in my heart. I pray it never fades.” — Jacquelyn Crutchley
