ILMCON 2024: The Prophetic Blueprint

In addition to his traditional Islamic studies with teachers from across the Muslim world, Dr. Omar received his PhD from the International Islamic University of Malaysia in 2023. Dr. Omar is the founding director of MUHSEN, adjunct professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University, and the founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. He also serves as a resident scholar at Valley Ranch Islamic Center. Born and raised in New Orleans and of Palestinian heritage, Dr. Omar is passionate about building bridges across humanity, serving the ummah and its tradition, and advocating for justice.

Shaykh AbdulNasir Jangda is the founder, director, and an instructor at the Qalam Institute. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in Arabic from Karachi University, as well as a Masters in Islamic Studies from the University of Sindh. He currently instructs in advanced Tafseer, Usul, Fiqh, and Balagha at the Qalam Seminary.

Mufti Abdul Rahman Waheed was born and raised in Lansing, MI. At just 9 years of age, Mufti Abdul Rahman went to Toronto, Canada to pursue his dreams of becoming a Hafidh of the Holy Qur'an. Thereafter, Mufti Abdul Rahman traveled to Pakistan to continue his passion to seek knowledge where he completed his 2 year Iftaa program which specializes in Islamic Jurisprudence and Law. Mufti Abdul Rahman is serving as a principal and is a full-time instructor at Michigan Islamic Institute, the brother organization of Miftaah Institute.  He is well-known for his calm and down-to-Earth demeanor.

Shaykh Ahmed Billoo is a religious leader, public speaker, and instructor based in Southern California. He earned an associate's degree in the Arabic language and completed his graduation from the College of Sharia at the Islamic University of Madinah. He currently serves as the Religious Director of the Islamic Center of Cypress and as an instructor at the Institute of Knowledge Seminary in Diamond Bar, California.

Shaykh Waleed Basyouni, PhD, serves as the President of AlMaghrib Institute and leads its Islamic Theology and Ethics Department. He has academic credentials from Al-Imam Muhammad University and the Graduate Theological Foundation. He serves as an Imam and holds roles in multiple Islamic organizations, including NAIF and the Texas Da‘wah Convention, and offers legal Islamic rulings through the American Muslim Jurists Association (AMJA).

Shaykh Furhan Zubairi is a teacher, public speaker, and author based in California. He began his Islamic studies at the Institute of Knowledge (IOK), graduated with a B.S. in Biological Sciences from UCI, and later earned his 'Alamiyyah degree in Karachi, Pakistan. He currently serves as the Dean of the Seminary and Extension Programs at IOK and frequently delivers lectures and sermons in Southern California.

Dr. Haifaa Younis, founder and Chairman of the Jannah Institute, has a broad academic background, with studies in Aqeeda, Fiqh, Hadeeth, and Tazkiyah. She completed her graduation from the Mecca Institute of Islamic Studies in Saudi Arabia. In her current role, she offers seminars and retreats focusing on the thematic commentary of the Qur'an and its practical relevance in everyday life.

Mufti Abdul Wahab Waheed is a co-founder of the Miftaah Institute and the Michigan Islamic Institute. He completed a 7-year Shariah program in Toronto, pursued higher studies in Hadith in Karachi, Pakistan, and studied at the renowned Jamia Binoritown. He has traveled extensively across North America for Dawah purposes and continues to deliver lectures on a wide range of Islamic topics.

Dr. Omar Suleiman is the Founder and President of Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and an Adjunct Professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University. Originally from New Orleans, he has studied extensively in countries such as the UAE, Jordan, and Malaysia, earning degrees in Islamic law, accounting, Islamic finance, and political history, and completed his PhD in Islamic Thought and Civilization. He has served as Imam, resident scholar, educator, and community leader, co-founding initiatives like M.U.H.S.E.N. and leading interfaith and social justice efforts. Known for his impactful teaching and media work, he is a prominent voice for Islamic scholarship, community service, and peace.