OUR TEAM
We are a group of like-minded professionals living in the Staines/Ashford area. We have been working for several years to establish a Community Centre for Muslims that represents and articulates the beauty of Islam for our area.
Imam Kassim Essak - Imam & Centre Manager
Imam Kassim Essak, was born in Mombasa, Kenya, where he memorised the entire Qur’an at a tender age. After which he went on further study and completed his Alimmiyyah (BA in Theology & Arabic language) at the renowned ‘Madrasah Arabia Islamia’ in Azaadville, South Africa.
It was here he undertook an in-depth study of the Islamic sciences such as Quranic Exegesis (Tafseer), Prophetic Traditions (Ahadith), Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and advanced studies in the Arabic language (nahw, sarf & balagha).
Upon graduating in 2002, he relocated to the UK, to work as a full time Imam in the West London area. He has served in many leading capacities as a Head Teacher, Marriage Counsellor and community advisor.
Imam Kassim has delivered many Islamic courses, worked closely in Interfaith forums and has been upon the advisory board of Islamic educational trusts in London.
His inspirational sermons, beautiful Qur’anic recitation and loving nature make him increasingly popular amongst the youth and wider community (Allah protect & preserve him).
Incredibly fluent in Arabic, Urdu and Kiswahili (Swahili) and with over a decade of experience serving various Muslim communities, Imam
Kassim is a unique scholar sought out and loved by many.
He resides in Hounslow with his wife and two children.
It was here he undertook an in-depth study of the Islamic sciences such as Quranic Exegesis (Tafseer), Prophetic Traditions (Ahadith), Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and advanced studies in the Arabic language (nahw, sarf & balagha).
Upon graduating in 2002, he relocated to the UK, to work as a full time Imam in the West London area. He has served in many leading capacities as a Head Teacher, Marriage Counsellor and community advisor.
Imam Kassim has delivered many Islamic courses, worked closely in Interfaith forums and has been upon the advisory board of Islamic educational trusts in London.
His inspirational sermons, beautiful Qur’anic recitation and loving nature make him increasingly popular amongst the youth and wider community (Allah protect & preserve him).
Incredibly fluent in Arabic, Urdu and Kiswahili (Swahili) and with over a decade of experience serving various Muslim communities, Imam
Kassim is a unique scholar sought out and loved by many.
He resides in Hounslow with his wife and two children.
Imam Ilyas Gajia - Part Time Imam & Madrassah Teacher
Shaykh Mohammad Ilyas completed the memorized the Holy Qur'an at the age of 12. He initiated his Islamic studies at the renowned Jamiah Islamiah Talimuddin Dabhel in India.
During his time studying in India, he was blessed to study and learn the science Qira'ah with one leading Qurrah of our age, Qari Mohammed Siddiq Falahi (Falah Daarain, Tarkeshwar, India).
Shaykh further consolidated he studies by finally travelling to Egypt to study at the illustrious Al-Azhar University, where his studied Arabic and Shafi' Fiqh briefly.
Upon his return to the UK, Shaykh Ilyas started up Darul Ihsaan Academy in the West London area with hundreds of student studying weekdays and weekend.
Shaykh Ilyas is a deeply gifted and compassionate teacher, who seeks to bring the best out of everyone whom he teaches.
During his time studying in India, he was blessed to study and learn the science Qira'ah with one leading Qurrah of our age, Qari Mohammed Siddiq Falahi (Falah Daarain, Tarkeshwar, India).
Shaykh further consolidated he studies by finally travelling to Egypt to study at the illustrious Al-Azhar University, where his studied Arabic and Shafi' Fiqh briefly.
Upon his return to the UK, Shaykh Ilyas started up Darul Ihsaan Academy in the West London area with hundreds of student studying weekdays and weekend.
Shaykh Ilyas is a deeply gifted and compassionate teacher, who seeks to bring the best out of everyone whom he teaches.
Ustadha Radhia - Madrassah & Sisters Quran Teacher
Ustadha Radhia was born in Algeria and obtained her A levels with highest distinction. She studied Arabic as a first language and completed her studies in Islam covering the Qur'an, Fiqh and Ahadith. She completed Medical studies at Algers University before moving to France. In France, she taught Arabic and Qur'an at Lannion Mosque for kids teaching a variety of different age groups and levels ranging from 4 to 17 years old.
At the same time Radhia was taking advanced courses in tajweed rules with Shaykha Rania Fawaz from Lebanon. She moved to the UK three years ago and has been teaching Arabic , Qur'an and French privately.
Recently she has joined the Noah's Ark Madrassah where she has great success teaching the fundamentals of Qur'an.
She lives in Stanwell with her husband and three children.
At the same time Radhia was taking advanced courses in tajweed rules with Shaykha Rania Fawaz from Lebanon. She moved to the UK three years ago and has been teaching Arabic , Qur'an and French privately.
Recently she has joined the Noah's Ark Madrassah where she has great success teaching the fundamentals of Qur'an.
She lives in Stanwell with her husband and three children.
Temoor Khan - Strategy & Finance Director
Temoor is a Chartered Certified Accountant – qualified with Ernst & Young. He currently is working in Central London as a Project Manager. Temoor is a member of the Securities and Investments Institute and is a Certified Prince 2 Project Manager. He has been involved in several community projects including the setting up of a youth charity based in West London, mentoring and outreach work. Temoor was a former trustee of West London Central Jamia Masjid for 5 years. He lives in Ashford with his wife and two sons.
Nisar Shaikh - Youth & Projects Director
Nisar works as an IT professional in the city. He is an avid martial artist, specialising in the grappling arts, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Judo and Submission Wrestling. He has taught martial arts classes regularly for over 8 years (adults and children). He has also served as a Jiu-jitsu instructor for a youth correction institute, assisted in the rehabilitation of youth offenders. He resides locally with his wife and three sons.
Irfan Younas - Treasurer
Details to follow
Safian Younas - Youth & Communications
Safian is currently a 5th year medical student at Imperial College London having completed his undergraduate medical studies at the University of Cambridge. Previously he has held the role of President at the University of Cambridge Islamic Society (2010-2011) and has served on the National Executive Committee of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) (2011-2013). Beyond this he has active interests in local projects that seek to widen access to higher education amongst ethnic minority and low SE backgrounds.
Amina Farooq - Committee & Mother Toddler Co-ordinator
Details to follow
Asif Khan - Site Custodian/ Ashford/ Staines Representative
Details to follow
Sameera Younas - Committee & Mother Toddler Co-ordinator
Details to follow
Hashim Farooq - Digital Media & Web Development
Hashim is a Business professional working on Social Networking, currently living in Staines with wife and two sons.
Okan Kibaroglu - Overseas Liaison Officer
Details to follow