Shaykh Abdallah Deeb

Senior Resident Scholar and President of Itqaan Institute

Shaykh Abdallah memorized the Qur’an at the age of 16 and became a world renowned Qari’ at the age of 18. Upon memorizing the Qur’an, he received his ijaza from Shaykh Muhammad Sukkar, who held one of the most authoritative ijazas (licenses) in the world before he passed, God have mercy on Him.

In addition to graduating from the Da’wah Faculty of Abu Nour Institute in Damascus, Syria, Shaykh Abdallah studied under some of the world’s most prestigious scholars of Syria for over two decades, and has travelled all over the world to share his beautiful recitation and mastery of the Qur’an. He currently holds one of the shortest sanads (chain of transmission from the Prophet ﷺ) in the world for teaching Qur’an.

He immigrated to the U.S. with his family in 1999, working as an Imam and Qur’an teacher in various cities.  He is the senior scholar and co-founder of Itqaan Institute. He currently resides in Toledo, Ohio with his family, where he devotes his time exclusively to teaching Qur’an. His greatest passion is to spread the beautiful message of Islam, and hundreds have accepted Islam through him. 

Dr. Imam Ahmad Deeb

Imam and Community Leader

Dr. Imam Ahmad Deeb has been serving communities in multiple capacities from an early age under the training and mentorship of his father, Shaykh Abdallah Deeb. He has an undergraduate degree in Psychology, received formal seminary training in Cape Town, as well as private tutelage under several scholars, and holds an M.A. in Islamic Studies and Leadership. His academic interests and love of community work led him to community psychology, recently completing his PhD in the field. 

His dissertation was titled: “Remosqued: Loneliness, Governance and Psychological Sense of Community Towards Holistic Wellbeing in the American Masjid.” He is Vice President of Itqaan Institute, a premier Qur'an learning institute founded and led by his father. He is co-founder and teacher at Pillars Seminary—a part-time educational institute focusing on formal, structured and relevant Islamic education for the general public. He is also the co-founder of Shifaa Community, a virtual holistic wellness community. 

Dr. Heba El Haddad

Psychotherapist

Heba holds an undergraduate degree in psychology of Social Science, later earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and is currently completing her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology. Heba is a psychotherapist at Khalil Center and is part of a group of clinicians and scholars who contributed to publishing the new text on the TIIP model (Traditional Islamically Integrated Psychotherapy) titled ‘Applying Islamic Principles to Clinical Mental Health Care’ for Muslim practitioners nationwide.

 She previously served as a mental health instructor at Kaiser Permanente teaching classes on Managing Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, Anger, and Emotional Wellness. Heba has co-authored, trained, and presented on a wide array of topics relating to Islamic psychology and believes that prevention is superior to intervention. She has previously completed courses in Fiqh, Qur’ān, Tajweed, Hadith, and Theology. 

Dr. Mazen Atassi

Naturopathic Doctor and Founding Director of Forward To Health

Dr. Mazen received his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) from the National University of Health Sciences in 2018. He received further training in somatic and relational counseling methods, advanced training in nutrition and food intolerances (Carroll Method), classical homeopathy, acupuncture, and more. Dr. Mazen has learned from some of the world’s greatest doctors, healers, and therapists, including his principal mentor Hakim Archuletta. 

He is also involved on the Islamic Psychology diploma at the Cambridge Muslim College where he teaches the module titled “Hikma: Vitalism & Somatic Medicine”. Dr. Mazen travels regularly, in the U.S and abroad, for talks and retreats and has lectured at universities including Harvard and Princeton.

Sama Wareh, M.S

Naturalist and Co-Founder - Art & Wilderness Institute

Sama is a naturalist, university instructor, artist, and author of How to Draw 60 Native CA Plants and Animals: A Field Guide and The Legend of Redwood Raven (2023). With over 18 years of experience as an environmental educator, she holds a Master’s in Environmental Studies from CSUF and a Bachelor’s in Filmmaking with a minor in Art. Sama has led thousands of hikes, taught students from TK to university level, and conducted workshops for arboretums, museums, and nature centers nationwide. She has spoken at the UN, delivered a TEDx talk, and earned certifications in Tracking, Project WILD, and Project Wet.

Sama’s accolades include OC Register’s 40 Under 40, OC Weekly’s People of the Year, and the “Top Southern California Educator Award.” A co-founder of the Art and Wilderness Institute, Sama is passionate about connecting communities to the outdoors through immersive, meaningful experiences that inspire awe and learning.

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Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi

Teacher, Public Speaker, Author

Hosai Mojaddidi has served the Muslim community for over 25 years as a teacher, public speaker, author/editor, spiritual counselor, and mental health advocate. She began her Islamic studies over 20 years ago at Zaytuna Institute in the Bay Area, California where she served as the lead female organizer and studied aqeeda, seerah, Hanafi fiqh, tazkiyyah an-nafs, tajwid, hadith, Arabic, and other sacred subjects with both resident and visiting scholars. 

She currently teaches logic, debate, public speaking, and Islamic studies at Peace Terrace Academy and Northstar School, and tajwid and tazkiyyah an-nafs at Zaytuna College. She offers talks throughout the year locally and internationally on a wide range of topics including spirituality, self-development, seerah, women's issues, family/marriage, youth issues, social media literacy/safety, and mental health advocacy.

Zion Davidson

Food as Medicine Chef and Farm-to-Table Educator

Zion is a chef and farmer dedicated to cultivating peace, health, and wisdom through the art of growing and preparing food. He believes that stepping into a garden or kitchen is a sacred opportunity to create harmony, vitality, and beauty.

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Zion is passionate about inspiring others to see farmers and chefs as guardians of biodiversity, healing, and community resilience. He offers cooking classes and coaching sessions focused on reducing inflammation, boosting energy, healing the gut, balancing blood sugar, and living in harmony with the seasons—all while nourishing the soul.

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With a background in Religious Studies from Columbia University and Traditional Chinese Medicine from the Academy of Healing Nutrition, Zion is committed to spreading peace through the simple and beautiful acts of growing, cooking, and sharing food.

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Jibreel Adams

Rancher, Cowboy, Horseback Riding Instructor

Jibreel Adam is a rancher, cowboy, and horseback riding instructor whose journey from the inner city of California to the open fields of farming and ranching has transformed his life and deepened his connection to Islam. A professional rodeo-cowboy permit holder and 2022 winner, Jibreel is passionate about raising livestock, training horses, and embracing the western lifestyle and history. 

Through patience, prayer, and resilience, he overcame the challenges of urban life to own and operate a halal farm, where he now mentors youth and adults, instilling values of character, self-sufficiency, and faith. Jibreel also treasures time with his daughter, teaching her and others the lessons of the land, while continually seeking knowledge and building with his hands. Today, he is a respected community figure who shares the blessings of his journey with others.