IFANCA’S Religious Advisors

Dr. Shaikh Jaafar Al-Quaderi

Dr. Shaikh Jaafar Al-Quaderi has been a Religious Advisor to IFANCA since 1982. Dr. Quaderi is a graduate of Nizamia University Hyderabad, India and a recipient of a doctoral degree from Al-Azhar University, Egypt in 1970, where he conducted research at the Faculty of Shariah & Law, in Usul al-Fiqh: Resolutions and Permissions in Islam. His command of the Arabic language is outstanding, as evidenced by his 11 years as an announcer at Radio Cairo. Concurrently, he taught Arabic at the American University and conducted some classes at the Indian Embassy.

After graduating from Nizamia University, Dr. Quaderi worked at Osmania University, Hyderabad as an editor of Arabic manuscripts of historic significance. After immigrating to the USA in 1980, Dr. Quaderi settled in Chicago, where he taught Arabic for the next six years, first at North-Eastern University, then at the American Islamic College. Since 1986, he has been busy teaching Arabic and Islamic Studies and leading the congregation at two suburban Islamic Centers.

Dr. Quaderi is well versed in comparative knowledge of Islamic schools of thought. However he practices Islam, according to the Hanafi School. His command of languages is excellent, especially Urdu, Arabic and English.

 

Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr

Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He received his academic education at the American University in Beirut, and University of Illinois where he got his Ph.D. While in Lebanon, he got his Islamic education through tutoring from the late Grand Mufti of Lebanon as well as from a large number of Muslim scholars from neighboring countries. He served as Director of the Islamic Center of Beirut.

He was a founding member and president of the Muslim Students’ Association of U.S.A and Canada, currently known as the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Dr. Sakr was also a founding member of the World Council of Mosques whose headquarters are in Makkah. He was the first director and representative of the Muslim World League to the U.N.

Currently, he is the president of the Foundation for Islamic Knowledge, Director of the Islamic Education Center in Walnut, California, a member of Operation Safe Community, a member of the Walnut Interfaith Council in California, and a board member of the Islamic food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA).

Dr. Sakr’s approach is to build a bridge of understanding through commonalities amongst Muslims and non-Muslims, including via dialogue with Bishops, Cardinals and the Pope.

 

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Besides being a Hafiz of the Quran, Mufti Ebrahim Desai has studied sacred Islamic knowledge in Dabhel for nine years: commencing from the Arabic Language and comprising Usool-e-Fiqh, Hanafi Fiqh, Logic, Usool-e-Hadith, Hadith, Usool-e-Tafseer, and Tafseer. Having completed the Dars-e-Nizamiyyah, he then studied the principles of issuing Fatwas fortwo years in Dabhel under the guidance of Mufti Ahmad Khanpuri Saheb, a renowned and leading scholar in India, and another year under the tutelage of the grand Mufti of India, Mufti Mahmoodul Hasan Saheb. He currently teaches Mishkat, Sahih Bukhari and Tirmidhi and answers fatwa inquires received at Dar Ul Ifta at Madrasa In’aamiyah, Camperdown, South Africa. He has authored “Al Mahmood” Vol. I & II, a book for Hadith students: “Introduction to Hadith”, and numerous articles on a wide spectrum of topics and issues relating to Islam.

 

Imam Muhammad Mardini

Imam Mardini was born in Lebanon; he completed his Masters Degree in Islamic Studies from the Islamic University in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Imam Mardini has contributed tremendously to the Muslim community in and around his place of residence. The American Muslim Center, located in West Dearborn, was established in 2002 and is led by Imam Mohammad Mardini, who also teaches as a Chaplain at the State Correctional Institution in Dearborn. Imam Mardini preaches in English as well, and recites the Qur’an in both Arabic and English. A prominent presence in interfaith efforts, Imam Mardini was one of seven Imams to meet with Detroit Cardinal Adam J. Maida and Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Francis R. Reiss, in the wake of Pope Benedict’s comments on Islam in 2006. He was also involved in interfaith efforts with Jewish leaders over tensions that escalated following last summer’s violence in Palestine. An influential leader, Imam Mardini is often a speaker at various events, including those organized by the Michigan Humanities Council and the New Detroit Leadership Summit on Race.

 

Ustaz Abdullah Fahim

Ustaz Fahim received his M.A. in Religious Studies from the National University of Malaysia. He served as the Chairman of the HALAL/ HARAM Committee in the Religious Affairs Department with the Prime Minister of Malaysia office’s from 1991-1997. He was given the Best Officer Award in the Religious Affairs department by the Government of Malaysia. Ustaz Fahim has spoken in several conferences, both nationally & internationally. He has acted as religious consultant for his department while working under the Prime Minister of Malaysia. In 2002, he was appointed as Regional Director of IFANCA South East Asia which is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.