Purpose of this site

The purpose of this site is to document my journey in Islamic work and learning and to serve as a platform for increasing my involvement in these areas. I hope my family, friends, and anyone else interested will benefit. I pray that any good found here will be accepted by God and that He forgives me for any errors.

My Religious Background and Journey

I am an American Muslim, born and raised in as a Christian in Columbus, Ohio. I accepted Islam in 1998 at 17 after researching various religions and philosophies. My journey toward Islam began at the age of 14 when I saw the movie "X" by Spike Lee, based on the autobiography of Malcolm X.

I speak about my journey in more detail in this episode of Sultans and Sneakers, hosted by Mahin Islam, if you are interested!

Education

Soon after entering Islam, I traveled to the Holy City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia, to increase my knowledge of Arabic and Islamic Sciences. I completed an American Imam certificate course under the guidance of Shaikh Khalid al-Halawani. I was blessed to sit with several scholars and senior imams from abroad and here in the US and benefit from their knowledge and experience.

I served as a director and chairman of Noor Islamic Cultural Center, and I currently lead Qableet Mujaddad, AlMaghrib's Columbus volunteer team. I lead Friday prayers and teach at mosques around Central Ohio and other communities. I also lead and mentor a youth group and work with various organizations doing community outreach.

As of December 2022, I am the Youth Director for the Noor Islamic Cultural Center. You can learn more about our activities at www.niccyouth.com.

As of 2025, I serve as a coordinator for AlMaghrib Institute's online and onsite programming, traveling to conferences and conventions and working to continue the mission and legacy of the late Shaikh Muhammad Alshareef, may Allah have Mercy on him.

I am honored to be an instructor facilitating experiences for the dedicated students of Siraaj Institute! Learn more and register for courses at siraajinstitute.org.

Community

Personal

I am blessed with a wonderful wife, Sana, and three children. I have worked in various technology and IT roles for over 15 years.