Faculty & Staff

Ustadh Ismail ibn Ali is the Head of School, Program Manager for the Center of Innovative Religious Education, and Grade 8 Islamic Studies teacher at Al Fatih Academy. He is a scholar-practitioner who enjoys forging frontiers in Muslim PK-12 and Adult Education spaces. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Florida ('11), a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University ('13), and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Central Florida ('24). Ismail has taught in a variety of public and private PK-12 school settings over the last 15 years. He holds an Administrative Professional Certification for school principalship and is licensed in MS & HS Biology in Maryland, Florida, and Virginia. He is also the Executive Director and a Quranic Arabic Instructor at Fawakih Institute, where he manages the instruction of hundreds of students worldwide as well as the teaching and development of Fawakih’s 6-Level Quranic Arabic Curriculum. He has studied Arabic and various Islamic Sciences on a part-time basis with scholars throughout the DC metropolitan area. Ismail enjoys sports, studying the Islamic tradition, and spending time with his family.

Amina Husain is the Principal at Al Fatih Academy. She believes that hope lies in the acquisition of knowledge and skills that build character and empower the beholder to do good. Amina enjoys teaching anyone a new skill or concept, but especially enjoys working with children. She has been in education for over 25 years as a weekend Islamic Studies teacher, youth coordinator, public school middle and high school science teacher, as well as the 5th grade teacher at Al Fatih Academy before joining the leadership team in 2020. Amina is a licensed teacher in the state of Virginia, earned a Masters in Education from the University of Maryland, and holds a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from the Harvard Business School. As a student for life and of life, she enjoys learning, spending time with her family (human and feline), and community service.

Ms. Aminata Toure Sackor is the Programs & Facilities Manager at Al Faith Academy. She has worked for over 15 years in Marketing & Operations both in the US and abroad (West Africa). Her experience covers various fields such as the finance sector, energy sector, engineering consultancy, and now education. She joined AFA in 2022 as part of the administration team. Her focus at AFA is managing activities and events, maintaining safety compliance, and coordinating the maintenance and use of the school’s facilities. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Business from Hult International Business School and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from The George Washington University. Aminata is the founder and CEO of Mipri Inc., a domestic staffing recruitment agency in West Africa. Aminata enjoys traveling with her family, reading, and trying new foods! 

Ms. Pervin Divleli is the Human Resources Manager and Senior Education Consultant at Al Faith Academy. She also serves as an advisor to the AFA Board of Directors. She has worked for over 25 years in the education field, and is committed to Muslim Schools and Islamic education. She was instrumental in the establishment and continuation of Al Fatih Academy and the development of its unique curriculum. Over the years she has served as an AFA board member, AFA teacher, and AFA administrator. She holds a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education and has years of practical hands-on experience working in muslim schools. Pervin enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her family. She is looking forward to traveling and seeing more of the world.

Ms. Aasma Khan is the Business Office Manager at Al Fatih Academy. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Virginia. Prior to her role at Al Fatih Academy, Ms. Aasma worked on contracts and procurement for multinational companies. Outside of her work, Ms. Aasma enjoys spending time with her kids and friends.

Ms. Widad Zenhom is the Executive Assistant to the Principal and Special Education Program Developer at Al Fatih Academy. She has a passion for developing holistic, safe, and adaptable spaces for both youth and adults to grow. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, a Master of Education in Special Education, and recently completed the requirements for the Virginia K-12 Special Education license. Widad has over 14 years of experience in youth programming management, conflict resolution facilitation, and educational training for both youth and adults. Widad enjoys spending time with family and exploring nature.

Ms. Sulaima Kochaji serves as the Systems Manager and Registrar at Al Fatih Academy, where she oversees the management of student records, enrollment systems, and technology infrastructure.  With over 30 years of experience in information technology, she is committed to improving processes related to data management and technology use. Sulaima has a background in IT consulting for international nonprofits and private organizations, where she focused on financial, human resource and educational systems. She holds a Master’s in Information Systems and a Bachelor’s in Literature from The American University. Outside of work, Sulaima enjoys reading, exploring new technologies, and spending time with her family.

Ms. Zainub Aftab has been a dedicated school secretary at Al Fatih Academy for the past 15 years. Originally from Pakistan, she relocated to the USA in 2002 after earning a master’s degree in Housing, Home Management, and Interiors from the College of Home Economics. In addition to her full-time role at the academy, she launched a small catering business in 2023, driven by her passion for delivering memorable culinary experiences. Zainub balances her professional commitments with a love for family life, spending quality time with her husband, three children, and two cats. Her dedication to both education and culinary arts reflects her commitment to excellence in all endeavors, striving to give her best in this world for the betterment of her akhirah.

Ms. Noshida Mushtaq is a Preschool teacher at Al Fatih Academy with over 12 years of experience in early childhood education and ESL. She is dedicated to creating a warm, inclusive environment that aligns with Al Fatih Academy’s mission of student-centered learning. Ms. Noshida holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification from Dubai, UAE. In 2017, she was honored as Educator of the Year for Kindergarten at her previous school. Her approach focuses on building students’ literacy, communication, and social skills to support their academic and personal growth. Ms. Noshida enjoys traveling, trying new foods, cooking, and spending time with family. She is also a qualified makeup artist and focuses on health and fitness. Ms. Noshida likes to connect with her faith, and self-education to continuously grow both personally and professionally.

Ms. Myra Jumani is a Preschool Teacher Assistant at Al Fatih Academy. She likes to inspire and support students' learning and development in their early education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of Central Florida. She’s been an active parent at Al Fatih Academy for almost 10 years. She started as a parent volunteer to substitute teacher and now a Preschool Assistant Teacher. Myra likes to travel and spend time with his family.

Ms. Durkhanai Rahmani is the Pre-Kindergarten Homeroom teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She is an educator with extensive experience in both Montessori and traditional-based teaching for PK and KG age groups. She holds two Montessori teaching diplomas including an AMS (American Montessori Society) from the Northern Virginia Montessori Institute (‘17), and an International Montessori teaching diploma from the North American Montessori Center (‘12) for teaching PK and KG students. Durkhanai began her teaching career at El-Iman Learning Center where she taught hands-on Montessori lessons and instilled her young students with Islamic moral values and etiquette. She also taught as a PK lead teacher at Washington Islamic Academy where she developed lessons based on the Montessori principles while integrating Islamic Studies concepts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she worked as a virtual Montessori teacher at Medina Montessori teacher. Ms. Durkhanai enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and taking nature walks.

Ms. Bakala Ahmed is a Teacher Assistant at Al Fatih Academy. She is also a Quran assistant teacher who enjoys strengthening developing minds, and building habits of success in Muslim spaces. Ms. Bakala has taught in a variety of school settings for over 12 years. She has taken coursework from Titay University and holds a Training Futures certificate in administration support. Alongside teacher assistance, Ms. Bakala has also designed and implemented lesson plans and served as a substitute lead instructor for Islamic, Arabic, and Quran studies at Washington International and Academy and MAS DC. Ms. Bakala also manages virtual online learning programs for students across the DC metropolitan area. Ms. Bakala enjoys baking, learning about Islamic history, and spending time with her loved ones and family.

Ms. Amina Rehman is the Lead Kindergarten teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She is deeply passionate about child development and advocating for children to ensure they reach their fullest potential. Her mission aligns with the school's commitment to integrating religion into every facet of the school day, helping to nurture not only academic growth but also spiritual, emotional and moral development in every child. Ms. Amina holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development from the University of Missouri-Columbia ('08), as well as a Master of Science in Mental Health: Psychological Therapies from Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London ('12). She has experience teaching first grade at an Islamic School for 3 years, along with many years of working in the public school setting. After having four children of her own, she has gained an even deeper understanding of nurturing, guiding, and empowering young learners, further enriching her perspective as an educator. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, trying new foods, cooking, photography, and pursuing extreme sports such as skydiving. She is also a board game fanatic—it's one of her favorite ways to unwind and bond with loved ones. These passions help her stay balanced and bring a sense of adventure, creativity, and joy to her work with children.

Ms. Shakira Ali is a Teacher Assistant for Kindergarten. She enjoys working with bright minds and is dedicated to AFA. She has been in the Kindergarten classroom for 16 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the KG team. Outside of teaching, Ms. Shakira enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Sadaf Rahimi is the Grade 1 Homeroom teacher at Al Fatih Academy. Sadaf is passionate about teaching our future generation in an Islamic setting. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Queens College and her Master’s Degree in Education from Hunter University. Ms. Sadaf was a certified teacher who taught in Prince William County Public Schools. After taking time off to raise her four children, she is excited to continue her journey as an educator at Al Fatih Academy. Sadaf enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Ms. Eman Alwan is a Grade 1 Homeroom Teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She was born in Baghdad, Iraq, and holds a B.A. in Sociology from Mustansiriya University in Baghdad. With over 20 years of experience in education, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for supporting both students and faculty in their daily endeavors. Prior to working at AFA, Ms. Eman served as an instructional assistant for students receiving special education at Forestville Elementary for several years. She has also taught in Montessori settings and served as a teacher for various elementary grade levels. She is certified in Arabic speaking and writing through ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages). Ms. Eman is committed to creating an organized and inclusive environment for all students in her classroom.

Ms. Safa Rahmani is the Grade 2 Homeroom teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She is passionate about teaching and strives to help children explore, make connections with the natural world, and reach their full potential. She enjoys teaching and working with elementary grade-level students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from George Mason University and is currently working towards obtaining a teaching license through the state of Virginia for the Elementary grade level. Ms. Safa began her teaching career working in multiple summer camps as a camp counselor where she incorporated hands-on STEAM projects for the elementary grade level. As part of her education degree, Ms. Safa gained two years of internship experience working as a student teacher in four different elementary schools, mostly working with second grade students. Aside from teaching, Safa enjoys reading, art, and spending time outdoors.

Ms. Rabia Javed is the Grade 3 Homeroom teacher at Al Fatih Academy, where she has been inspiring young minds for the past two years. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from University of Maryland, College Park and later attended University of Maryland, Baltimore County for her graduate studies in teaching. With a background in social sciences, she previously taught high school social studies before transitioning to elementary school. Passionate about teaching, Ms. Rabia finds great joy in helping her students grow and thrive. She is also a proud mom of three beautiful daughters who attend Al Fatih Academy. In her free time, Ms. Rabia loves to travel and create lasting memories with her family.

Ms. Mariam Khan is the Grade 4 Homeroom teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She is an engaged educator who feels strongly about connecting with the youth to help build a stronger community. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Pennsylvania State University (2004), and is a licensed teacher in the state of Virginia. She has experience in teaching grades 1-8, and has taught in a variety of Islamic schools over the past 12 years, including Al Aqsa Academy in north Philly (2003-2005), Villanova Academy for Honor Studies (2011-2017), and northern Virginia (2017-present). She previously held the position of head principal at the weekend religious school at the Islamic Society of Greater Valley Forge (2015-2017). She continues to offer support to her colleagues as a staff liaison and lead mentor teacher at Al Fatih Academy. Mariam enjoys reading New York Times Best Sellers, Pickleball, and spending time with her 4 children and pet cat Choo-Choo.

Ms. Mehwish Rafique is the Grade 5 Homeroom and Science teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She has a Master’s Degree in Systems Medicine from Georgetown University School of Medicine. Ms. Mehwish enjoys using her science knowledge to inspire her students and is passionate about education and healthcare technology. In her freetime, she loves reading, hiking, and spending time with her family.

Ms. Saba Baig is the Grade 5 Math and English & Language Arts teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She is a passionate teacher who demonstrates a deep concern for student understanding while mantaining a positive classroom environment that instills a love of Islam within students. Ms. Saba holds a BA in Psychology and Minor in History as well as a Masters in Education from Rutgers University. She has taught in a variety of public and private school settings in New Jersey, Illinois, and Virginia, and holds a Secondary Teacher Certificate from the State of Illinois. Ms. Saba has previously served as Grade 3 and Grade 5 homeroom teacher at AFA, and several of her children are former AFA students. Outside of teaching, Ms. Saba serves on the LCPS Equity Committee and the ADAMS board and as a youth mentor. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family, being outdoors, traveling, reading and journaling.

Ms. Ann Raheem is the Middle School Social Studies teacher at Al Fatih academy. She is a long time educator who loves connecting students with their world and helping them develop context and perspective on our current society via her favorite subject. She has a Bachelor's Degree from the School for International Training in International Studies and a Master’s Degree from the University of Hawai’i. She is certified in Elementary Education and K-12 English as a Second Language in Virginia and is Highly Qualified in Social Studies. She continues to develop her professional skills whenever she can, most recently participating in the Prophetic Pedagogy course. Before teaching Middle School Social Studies, she taught 3rd grade at Al Fatih for several years, and before that she taught high school English as a Second Language and Social Studies in Colorado. When not at school, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes one AFA student and two AFA alumni and various extended family members in the area and beyond. She also enjoys traveling and is involved in the Green Team at ADAMS Center.

Ms. Batul Al-Saigh is the Middle School Science teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She is passionate about sharing the joys of learning about our natural world through research, observation and experimentation. Beyond teaching Earth Science, Astronomy, Biology, Physics and Chemistry – she pushes her students to understand how to learn independently by testing hypotheses with evidence. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a Certification in Environmental Management from George Mason University, and is Licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia to teach High School Biology. She has previously worked as an Environmental Management consultant, and also served two terms on the Virginia Health Systems Agency Board. She has also been a vocal advocate for Physical Education at AFA, and for many years was the school's PE teacher. Batul is also a Certified Pilates Instructor and has been teaching Pilates mat and equipment classes for women for over a decade. She is the mother of two adult children, who both attended AFA through middle school, and she is very thankful for the positive influence of AFA in their lives.

Ms. Fatima Popal is the Middle School English teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She is a licensed English language arts teacher who enjoys bringing her love of faith, knowledge and service into the classroom. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a concentration in Writing, Rhetoric and Linguistics from George Mason University. She has taught in various Islamic private schools in the Northern Virginia area since 2015. Fatima has been studying Arabic and Islamic Studies part-time in various institutions around the world such as Dar al Zahra (Tarim), Madinatul Uloom (VA), and Fawakih Institute. She loves volunteering for Islamic Relief and local seminaries such as Tanwir Institute. Fatima loves spending time with family, trying out new cafes and traveling around the world.

Ms. Iman Barzinji is a Middle School Mathematics teacher at Al Fatih Academy, teaching Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry. Previously, she taught 4th grade at AFA before pursuing her passion for teaching math. Ms. Iman is dedicated to helping students make real-world connections to their learning. She holds a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.

Ms. Salma El-Ashry is a Middle School Math teacher at Al Fatih Academy where she is inspired by the endless possibilities a quality education can bring to a child. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Temple University where she was a Math and Science Tutor for college students. She initially began her career in financial management and Islamic nonprofits, but her experience as a STEM tutor and Sunday School Teacher led her to realize that her true passion was in Education. Ms. Salma has been with AFA for 4 years and was previously a 4th Grade Science and Social Studies teacher. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, baking, traveling, and exploring nature.

Ms. Roua Duwaji is an Arabic and Quran eacher for PS/PK and Grade 8, MS Arabic Level 3, and Middle School Islamic Studies Teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She also serves as the head of Arabic & Quran department. She aims to inspire young children to do something in their lives that is pleasing to Allah and to their community. She designs and facilitates meaningful and innovative learning experiences centered on Quran’s teaching to engage learners in developing both social and emotional Muslim identity. She holds a bachelor degree from the university of Damascus in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Roua holds a professional license in teaching foreign language for Elementary and Middle School in Virginia. She also holds a Montessori certification. She is a proud mother of three and enjoys reading and spending time with family.

Ms. Asma Messaoudi is the Arabic and Quran teacher for KG, Grade 5, Grade 6 and MS Arabic Level 1. She holds a BA in Literature from the University of Tunis, Tunisia, and has completed training in modern teaching strategies at Aberystwyth University in Wales, UK. Additionally, Ms. Asma has a Virginia teaching license and has studied Tajweed, earning certificates at all levels. She has been teaching Arabic and Qur’an at AFA for seventeen years. In her free time, Ms. Asma enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling and observing nature.

Ms. Souad Mohammad is an Arabic and Quran teacher for Grade 1, Grade 3, Grade 7, and MS Arabic Level 2B at Al Fatih Academy. She was born in Lattakia, Syria. She holds two degrees from Tishreen University: a Bachelor of Arts in Arabic Literature and a Diploma in Educational Qualifications. This year marks her 23rd year of teaching Quran and Arabic, and she is licensed by the state of Virginia to teach Arabic from Pre-K to 12th grade. She taught at the Saudi Academy for six years before joining Al Fatih Academy in 2009. Ms. Souad loves teaching and enjoys spending time with children. Her favorite activities include reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Ms. Iman Mossalam is an Arabic and Quran eacher for Grade 2, Grade 4, Grade 7 and MS Arabic Level 2A at Al Fatih Academy, bringing over 14 years of experience in teaching those subjects. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Commerce and discovered her passion for teaching during her college years, where she volunteered to help elders learn to read and write Arabic and the Quran. Prior to that, Ms. Iman began her professional path in administration, where she worked for various companies and the American Embassy in several countries, including Egypt and Bahrain. This diverse experience helped her develop strong management and communication skills, providing a solid foundation for her future in education. Since moving to the United States, Ms. Iman worked as an Arabic and Quran teacher at a local Saturday school, where she was later promoted to Vice Principal. In 2013, she joined Al Fatih Academy, where she has taught students across multiple grade levels. Committed to professional growth, Ms. Iman pursued further education and earned her teaching license in the state of Virginia in 2018. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Ms. Monia Berrached is an Arabic and Quran Teacher Assistant at Al Fatih Academy. She has always loved teaching and strives to support the Muslim community by encouraging learning and growth at AFA. She has 18 years of experience working with ADAMS Center and has done additional tutoring and volunteer work within her field. In addition to her current experience with Al Fatih, she currently teaches with the Sunday School program at ADAMS and possesses a Noorani Qaeda certification in Quran and Tajweed. She is a mother of four children and enjoys reading the Quran, discovering new places, and visiting local coffee shops with her youngest daughter. 

Ms. Rima El-Azem is a Hifdh teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She studied Elementary Education at Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University. Previously, she served as a 6th-grade homeroom teacher and Quran teacher for multiple grades at AFA. Before coming to AFA, Ms. Rima worked at the Islamic Saudi Academy for over 17 years teaching ESL/Homeroom for 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. Ms. Rima is in the process of obtaining her ijaza in tilawa (Quranic Recitation) and hifdh (Quranic Memorization). Outside of teaching Quran, Ms. Rima loves to spend time with her grandchildren. 

Ms. Nadia El-Khatib is the Art teacher at Al Fatih Academy. She has been a teacher at AFA since 2006. She studied Art & Visual technology with supportive coursework in Art & Cultural studies at George Mason University. She continues to take courses in her pursuit of a degree in Art Therapy. Ms. Nadia has over 20 years of teaching experience and has trained in Montessori and Responsive Classroom workshops. She has curated local Art exhibitions and lead several Art workshops around the DMV. Ms. Nadia has also, participated in and continued on to be facilitator of a cohort of Artists at The Sanctuaries DC working towards social justice and change through Art. Ms. Nadia teaches all of the AFA students in Preschool through 8th grade with the intention of instilling and maintaining a love for creating and exploring through the Arts while integrating Islamic principles into her lessons. Ms. Nadia loves tea, and sunset colored flowers. She can often be found somewhere near water or under a tree.

Ms. Aisha Ahmad is the Middle School Girls Physical Education teacher and Grade 5 Social Studies teacher. She believes in creating academically engaging learning experiences through an environment that fosters meaningful connections in her students' lives. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Maryland (‘97) and a Master of Public Health from George Washington University (‘03). Furthermore she has also completed 2 years of course work in dental school before suffering an injury. Aisha has worked in multiple PK-8 school institutions over the last 10 years in Florida and Virginia. She established a Girls Middle School PE program in addition to Field Day and STEM day activities at her previous school in Orlando, Florida. Ms. Aisha was one of the founding members and served on the Board of Directors for Eid Orlando. As a mother of 4, Aisha enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Mr. Yousuf Mehter is a Physical Education teacher for grades KG-5 and Middle School Boys at Al Fatih Academy. He has taught adults and children for many years and his classes are known to be exhilarating, challenging and fun. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Arts and Science University, Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar), Master of Science degree in Entomology, SUNY, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY. Mr. Yousuf has a masters black belt degree in Aikido and a certified master instructor in Aikido from US Aikido Federation and the International Aikido Federation. Holds a black belt degree in Karate from United Karate Association. Previously, he was selected for the Burma National Field Hockey team and completed four years of University Training Corps (similar to ROTC) in Rangoon, Burma, where he excelled in rifle target shooting, bayonet fighting and judo. He was the owner and chief instructor of Aikido of Central New York, which was one of the top Aikido schools in the country. Outside of his love of physical education and martial arts, he enjoys spending time with family, friends and seeing his students grow and progress.

Ms. Uzma Baig is a School Counselor at Al Fatih Academy, and has been since 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from City University of New York, Queens College (2006) and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Virginia Tech (2014) with a specialty in School Counseling. She has worked with children in different capacities for 15 years. Ms. Uzma is certified as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and is a licensed School Counselor in Virginia. Uzma has served as a counselor for Northern Virginia Community College’s Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program and College Access Fairfax in working with Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) students in the areas of college and career readiness. She is also the founder of BrightRoots Coaching, where she offers individual counseling and coaching for children, adolescents, and adults. Uzma enjoys traveling, trying new experiences, and spending time with her loved ones.

Ms. Hanaa Unus serves as school counselor and chaplain on the Wellness Team of Al Fatih Academy. Hanaa has an undergraduate degree in Social Work and earned a Masters in Islamic Chaplaincy with a focus on Interfaith Dialogue from Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. Currently she is pursuing her Phd in Organizational Leadership with a focus on female leaders in Islamic history. Hanaa is the founder of Qaswa Healing and Consulting which provides chaplaincy support to individuals and organizations using traditional and alternative therapy methods including Equine Assisted Therapy.  In her down time, you can find Hanaa outside in nature or reading in the barn