Our scholars and teachers
Imam Magid
President, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
Imam Magid is the Imam of All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center in Sterling, Virginia. He is the chairman of International Interfaith Peace Corps (IIPC). Imam Magid served as the President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Under his direction, the ADAMS Center has grown to be one of the largest Muslim community organizations in the Washington Metropolitan Area. He occupies the Chairmanship of the Fairfax County Faith Communities in Action, and a Chaplin of George Mason University Campus Ministry. He is also the Vice Chairman of Muflehun, a think tank, which focuses on confronting violent extremist thought through research-driven preventative programs within a religious paradigm.
Imam Magid has a long history of commitment to public service through organizations, such as The Peaceful Families Project.
Imam Magid has co-authored three books “Before You Tie the Knot: A Guide for Couples” “Reflections on the Qur’an” and “Change from Within”. He has helped train and lead workshops for Imams and religious leaders, both domestically and internationally, on the issue of violence against women. Imam Magid is leading an initiative to protect religious minorities in Muslim majority countries, through a series of conferences. He has written for the Washington Post and Huffington Post, and been profiled in Time Magazine and Wall Street Journal. He is the recipient for the Washingtonian of the Year in 2009 and the Human Rights Award in 2005 from Fairfax County.
President, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)
Imam Magid is the Imam of All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center in Sterling, Virginia. He is the chairman of International Interfaith Peace Corps (IIPC). Imam Magid served as the President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Under his direction, the ADAMS Center has grown to be one of the largest Muslim community organizations in the Washington Metropolitan Area. He occupies the Chairmanship of the Fairfax County Faith Communities in Action, and a Chaplin of George Mason University Campus Ministry. He is also the Vice Chairman of Muflehun, a think tank, which focuses on confronting violent extremist thought through research-driven preventative programs within a religious paradigm.
Imam Magid has a long history of commitment to public service through organizations, such as The Peaceful Families Project.
Imam Magid has co-authored three books “Before You Tie the Knot: A Guide for Couples” “Reflections on the Qur’an” and “Change from Within”. He has helped train and lead workshops for Imams and religious leaders, both domestically and internationally, on the issue of violence against women. Imam Magid is leading an initiative to protect religious minorities in Muslim majority countries, through a series of conferences. He has written for the Washington Post and Huffington Post, and been profiled in Time Magazine and Wall Street Journal. He is the recipient for the Washingtonian of the Year in 2009 and the Human Rights Award in 2005 from Fairfax County.
Shaykh Abdurafaa Ouertani
Imam Abdurafaa Ouertani was raised in Tunisia and is currently an Imam at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center in Sterling, VA. He received his traditional education from scholars at the Zaytuna University and he continued to further his education by studying Fiqh and Aqeedah at the Al Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. He also currently holds degrees in Islamic Civilization from University of Kairaouan, Philosophy and Logic from the University of Tunis, and has an intensive background in Astronomy and the History of Sciences. As Imam of ADAMS Center, he conducts khutbahs for Jummah, counsels members of the community, and is a strong promoter of interfaith activities. His passion lies with the youth which is evident through the numerous Islamic schools he has established and administered across the U.S. and the Virgin Islands in the past seventeen years. He also promotes causes such as Boy Scouts by volunteering with Boy Scouts of America and coaching youth soccer leagues. He is a passionate environmental activist, children’s rights activist, and he speaks on issues of child abuse and domestic violence.
Imam Abdurafaa Ouertani was raised in Tunisia and is currently an Imam at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center in Sterling, VA. He received his traditional education from scholars at the Zaytuna University and he continued to further his education by studying Fiqh and Aqeedah at the Al Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. He also currently holds degrees in Islamic Civilization from University of Kairaouan, Philosophy and Logic from the University of Tunis, and has an intensive background in Astronomy and the History of Sciences. As Imam of ADAMS Center, he conducts khutbahs for Jummah, counsels members of the community, and is a strong promoter of interfaith activities. His passion lies with the youth which is evident through the numerous Islamic schools he has established and administered across the U.S. and the Virgin Islands in the past seventeen years. He also promotes causes such as Boy Scouts by volunteering with Boy Scouts of America and coaching youth soccer leagues. He is a passionate environmental activist, children’s rights activist, and he speaks on issues of child abuse and domestic violence.
Dr. Zainub Alwani
Dr. Alwani received her Ph.D. in Islamic Sciences (Fiqh and Usul Al-Fiqh) Islamic Jurisprudence, from the International Islamic University in Malaysia. Her Ph.D dissertation focused on the implementation of Maqasid al Shariah: the family issues in the American Muslim family. She is currently the Program Director and an Adjunct Professor of Arabic Language and Islamic Studies at Northern Virginia Community College. She also teaches Arabic Studies at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, where she developed courses in Arabic Studies that focus on the link between Islamic philosophy, language and culture. She is also a professor at a number of consortium institutions including Wesley Theological Seminary, the Washington National Cathedral and Cordoba University where she developed courses in Islamic studies that focus on constructing Quranic models on various aspects of Islamic thought. As an educator, Dr. Alwani brings over 15 years of teaching and curriculum development experience in Islamic and Arabic Studies. She is as a researcher, social and community activist, she is the first female Jurist on the Fiqh council of North America.
Dr. Alwani received her Ph.D. in Islamic Sciences (Fiqh and Usul Al-Fiqh) Islamic Jurisprudence, from the International Islamic University in Malaysia. Her Ph.D dissertation focused on the implementation of Maqasid al Shariah: the family issues in the American Muslim family. She is currently the Program Director and an Adjunct Professor of Arabic Language and Islamic Studies at Northern Virginia Community College. She also teaches Arabic Studies at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, where she developed courses in Arabic Studies that focus on the link between Islamic philosophy, language and culture. She is also a professor at a number of consortium institutions including Wesley Theological Seminary, the Washington National Cathedral and Cordoba University where she developed courses in Islamic studies that focus on constructing Quranic models on various aspects of Islamic thought. As an educator, Dr. Alwani brings over 15 years of teaching and curriculum development experience in Islamic and Arabic Studies. She is as a researcher, social and community activist, she is the first female Jurist on the Fiqh council of North America.
Ustadh Othman Altalib
Having grown up in the ADAMS community, Othman Altalib progressed through all levels of ADAMS schooling (including Saturday and Sunday Schools, weekly classes and seminars) and would consider himself a lifetime student of Imam Magid and Sheikh Abdurrafa. Othman has a Masters degree in Political Science from George Mason University and is currently a Senior Consultant for IBM. He has spent numerous summers studying Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies in the US and abroad. He has extensively studied numerous subjects under the tutelage of Sheikh Dr. Taha Jabir Al-Alwani and Sheikha Dr. Zainab Alwani. Othman has been a regular Khateeb and Teacher for ADAMS Center for the past 5 years. Othman served as the Youth Representative to the ADAMS Executive Committee for 4 years and has been active in numerous youth initiatives and halaqaat. Othman is also a Certified ADAMS Mentor and looks forward to many more years of learning at the ADAMS Center. Othman happily resides in the ADAMS area with his wife and son.
Having grown up in the ADAMS community, Othman Altalib progressed through all levels of ADAMS schooling (including Saturday and Sunday Schools, weekly classes and seminars) and would consider himself a lifetime student of Imam Magid and Sheikh Abdurrafa. Othman has a Masters degree in Political Science from George Mason University and is currently a Senior Consultant for IBM. He has spent numerous summers studying Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies in the US and abroad. He has extensively studied numerous subjects under the tutelage of Sheikh Dr. Taha Jabir Al-Alwani and Sheikha Dr. Zainab Alwani. Othman has been a regular Khateeb and Teacher for ADAMS Center for the past 5 years. Othman served as the Youth Representative to the ADAMS Executive Committee for 4 years and has been active in numerous youth initiatives and halaqaat. Othman is also a Certified ADAMS Mentor and looks forward to many more years of learning at the ADAMS Center. Othman happily resides in the ADAMS area with his wife and son.
Ustadh Hasnain Chowdhury
Hasnain Chowdhury is a graduate of the George Mason University and currently serves as the Muslim Chaplain. After secular studies, he completed a curriculum of Arabic and Islamic studies at various institutions and with scholars abroad and at home and has been sharing his experiences, through his love of teaching, ever since.
Hasnain’s leadership background includes experience as Board Member of the McLean Islamic Center, Ameer of Qabeelat Nurayn for the Al-Maghrib Institute, and as Co-founder and Director of The Friday Line-up, a Northern Virginia organization dedicated to serving high school MSAs in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. He has also been a regular khateeb, delivering Friday sermons to the surrounding DC Metro area since 2002.
Hasnain has taught at, and worked with, various Muslim institutions in Northern Virginia, organizing and leading classes, study-circles, and volunteer activities designed to produce well-rounded, Islam-literate, Muslim-American youth.
Hasnain Chowdhury is a graduate of the George Mason University and currently serves as the Muslim Chaplain. After secular studies, he completed a curriculum of Arabic and Islamic studies at various institutions and with scholars abroad and at home and has been sharing his experiences, through his love of teaching, ever since.
Hasnain’s leadership background includes experience as Board Member of the McLean Islamic Center, Ameer of Qabeelat Nurayn for the Al-Maghrib Institute, and as Co-founder and Director of The Friday Line-up, a Northern Virginia organization dedicated to serving high school MSAs in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. He has also been a regular khateeb, delivering Friday sermons to the surrounding DC Metro area since 2002.
Hasnain has taught at, and worked with, various Muslim institutions in Northern Virginia, organizing and leading classes, study-circles, and volunteer activities designed to produce well-rounded, Islam-literate, Muslim-American youth.
Ustadh Adam Daken
Ustadh Shad Imam
Shad Imam is a current Board Member of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society and holds an MBA from the University of Maryland. He organizes educational programs with visiting national and local scholars through the Qurtuba Institute and has dedicated himself to being a student of knowledge since 2000. Professionally, Shad works at Oracle Corporation as a Pre-Sales Technical Engineer. He resides in Sterling, VA with his wife and four children.
Shad Imam is a current Board Member of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society and holds an MBA from the University of Maryland. He organizes educational programs with visiting national and local scholars through the Qurtuba Institute and has dedicated himself to being a student of knowledge since 2000. Professionally, Shad works at Oracle Corporation as a Pre-Sales Technical Engineer. He resides in Sterling, VA with his wife and four children.
Dr. Daoud Nassimi
Dr. Daoud Nassimi teaches Islam at Shenandoah University and NOVA Community College. Also, he has been volunteering to serve the various Muslim communities as an Imam, Khateeb, teacher, marriage celebrant, and family and youth counselor. Dr. Nassimi has a unique and combined educational background in Engineering and Islamic Studies. Initially, he did his BS and Master degrees in electrical engineering, and worked in the field of telecommunications for many years in Chicago. Then, because of his passion to serve Islam and the community, he decided to move his career from engineering to Islamic Studies. He started his academic Islamic studies in 1995 by first studying the Arabic language in Saudi Arabia. Then, he moved to Virginia to join Institute of Arabic and Islamic Sciences. Later, he earned a second Masters degree in Islamic Studies at Cordoba University in 2004 and then he finished his PhD in Islamic Studies from University of Birmingham in England in 2008. His PhD thesis was on a comparative review of English translations of the Qur’an.
Dr. Daoud Nassimi teaches Islam at Shenandoah University and NOVA Community College. Also, he has been volunteering to serve the various Muslim communities as an Imam, Khateeb, teacher, marriage celebrant, and family and youth counselor. Dr. Nassimi has a unique and combined educational background in Engineering and Islamic Studies. Initially, he did his BS and Master degrees in electrical engineering, and worked in the field of telecommunications for many years in Chicago. Then, because of his passion to serve Islam and the community, he decided to move his career from engineering to Islamic Studies. He started his academic Islamic studies in 1995 by first studying the Arabic language in Saudi Arabia. Then, he moved to Virginia to join Institute of Arabic and Islamic Sciences. Later, he earned a second Masters degree in Islamic Studies at Cordoba University in 2004 and then he finished his PhD in Islamic Studies from University of Birmingham in England in 2008. His PhD thesis was on a comparative review of English translations of the Qur’an.
Ustadh Awais Sheikh
Awais Sheikh was born and raised in Northern Virginia where he attended ADAMS growing up before moving overseas and then university at Virginia Tech. He returned back to the area after graduating. Since then, he has attended various educational programs through a multitude of institutions with the intent of having a balanced view towards application of contemporary issues in an Islamic context. He considers himself a student of ADAMS Qurtuba programming while applying the knowledge learned in the form of delivering Friday khutbahs and various circles of knowledge. He also specializes in studying and teaching application of management practices based on the tradition to Islamic institutions across the nation. He has served as ADAMS Secretary and Vice President. He currently lives with his wife and two sons in Sterling, VA.
Awais Sheikh was born and raised in Northern Virginia where he attended ADAMS growing up before moving overseas and then university at Virginia Tech. He returned back to the area after graduating. Since then, he has attended various educational programs through a multitude of institutions with the intent of having a balanced view towards application of contemporary issues in an Islamic context. He considers himself a student of ADAMS Qurtuba programming while applying the knowledge learned in the form of delivering Friday khutbahs and various circles of knowledge. He also specializes in studying and teaching application of management practices based on the tradition to Islamic institutions across the nation. He has served as ADAMS Secretary and Vice President. He currently lives with his wife and two sons in Sterling, VA.
