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Al-Itqaan Faculty

Scholars of the tradition.

Al-Itqaan is taught by a faculty of qualified scholars trained in the classical Islamic sciences, with decades of combined experience in teaching, research, and community service.

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Al-Itqaan

Maulana Zakaria Desai

Founder and part-time instructor

Shaikh Maulana Mahmad Zakaria Desai is an Islamic scholar and educator serving in Mississauga, Ontario, with over a decade of experience as an Imam dedicated to community leadership, spiritual guidance, and Islamic education. He completed the memorization of the Qur'an and his foundational studies at Dārul ʿUloom Falāh-e Dārain in India, and later graduated from Dārul ʿUloom Bury in 2007, completing advanced studies in Islamic theology and the Sihāh Sittah. He is the founder and director of Madaniyya Academy, which serves over 300 students in Qur'anic memorization and Islamic education. He also serves as an instructor at Al-Itqaan and continues his efforts in teaching and community outreach.

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Maulana Azhar Ingar

Program director and full-time instructor

Maulana Azhar completed his Hifdh at the Islamic Foundation of Toronto in 2013 and began his formal ʿĀlimiyyah studies alongside high school. After graduating, he pursued full-time Islamic studies in South Africa at the renowned Dārul ʿUlūm Zakariyyā, and later completed his ʿĀlimiyyah at Jamiah Qasimul Uloom in 2021. He further specialized and received Ijaazah in the sciences of Tajwīd and Qirāʾāt at the same institution, studying under Qārī AbdulBasit Kazi. He serves as a teacher for Hifdh al-Qur'an at Madaniyya Academy and as a full-time instructor and program director of Al-Itqaan, where he also oversees and coordinates the academic program and instructional development.

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Maulana Muhammad Mayat

Full-time instructor

Maulana Muhammad Mayat memorized the Qur'an at a young age and began studying the Islamic sciences during high school. He later pursued full-time studies in Panama at Fundación Centro Educativo de Panamá and completed his ʿĀlimiyyah at Jamiah Qasimul Uloom in Toronto. He currently serves as an instructor at Al-Itqaan, where he is part of the teaching team dedicated to cultivating sound and meaningful Islamic knowledge. Alongside his teaching, he continues his studies while pursuing a BSc in Computer Science.

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Maulana Yaamin Ahmed

Part-time instructor

Maulana Yaamin Ahmed completed his Ḥifẓ at the Islamic Foundation of Toronto in 2012, followed by the ʿĀlimiyyah program at Jāme Abū Bakr Ṣiddīque in 2022. He also holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He serves as a part-time instructor at Al-Itqaan while also teaching Islamic Studies to high school students. His path reflects a balance of traditional Islamic scholarship and academic study, and a genuine commitment to supporting students in their learning.

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Maulana Abdurrahman Patel

Part-time instructor

Maulana Abdurrahman Patel completed his ʿĀlimiyyah studies at Dārul ʿUlūm Bury in 2015. Upon returning to Toronto, he taught Maktab, ʿĀlimiyyah, and Ḥifẓ classes at Malton Masjid while also starting his own Ḥifẓ journey at Madaniyya Academy. Over the years, he has remained actively involved in teaching, community service, youth programs, and Imāmat throughout the GTA. He also holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Social Work from York University and is a registered social worker. He currently serves as an instructor at Al-Itqaan.

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Mufti Abbas Piparawala

Part-time instructor

Mufti Abbas Piparawala is an Islamic scholar specializing in Fiqh and Ḥadīth, serving the community in Ontario as an imam, educator, and researcher. He completed his ʿĀlimiyyah studies at Dārul ʿUlūm Bury in England and Dārul ʿUlūm Zakariyyā in South Africa, and went on to specialize in Iftāʾ under Mufti Raḍāʾul Ḥaq. Alongside issuing fatāwā and teaching, he is actively engaged in research, writing, and community initiatives. His work in Islamic finance focuses on creating accessible, Sharīʿah-compliant educational material.

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Maulana Abdullah Hanslod

Part-time instructor
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Maulana Husam Uddin Moqeem

Part-time instructor

Maulana Husam Uddin Moqeem began his journey of Ḥifẓ in Malton and completed the memorization of the Qur'an before continuing his high-school education. After graduating, he pursued his ʿĀlimiyyah studies at Jāmiʿah Qāsimul ʿUlūm, completing the six-year program in 2024. Throughout his journey, he has remained committed to seeking knowledge and continuing his Islamic studies. He serves as an instructor at Al-Itqaan, helping students build a strong foundation in Islamic knowledge.

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Maulana Asif Khan

Part-time instructor
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Maulana Osama

Part-time instructor