Meet our Team

Meet Our Staff

Hafidh Mujtaba Mohiuddin, our Maktab Director, is a dedicated Hifdh instructor with over 13 years of full-time experience in teaching Quran memorization. He completed his memorization under the guidance of Qari Abdul Mannan Saahib and has pursued formal Islamic studies for two years at Darul Qasim College. Deeply passionate about the Quran and committed to serving the community, Mujtaba strives to be a guiding force for students on their journey with the Book of Allah. He is currently pursuing a formal ijazah in the recitation of Hafs by the way of ‘Āsim. Mujtaba serves as a full-time Hifdh instructor at Masjid Uthman and has been the director of the MAB Maktab program for the past four years.

Mahek Jawed, our Lead Teacher, is a dedicated educator and Hafitha of the Qur’an. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is licensed in the state of Illinois and Arizona. Mahek brings her teaching experience, expertise in curriculum enhancement, student support, and school leadership. Her approach blends academic excellence with Islamic values, aiming to inspire confident, well-rounded students.

Waheeda Pothigara, our Lead Teacher & Student Achievement Coordinator, holds a Master’s degree in Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Digital Learning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is currently pursuing her Middle Grade Licensure in English Language Arts. Waheeda Pothigara is dedicated to supporting student growth through academic, behavioral, and emotional success. With experience in elementary education and a passion for inclusive and tech-integrated learning, Waheeda works closely with students, teachers, and families to foster a school culture of achievement, equity, and care.

Afia Khalid, our Lead Teacher, is a dedicated educator and Alimah/Islamic scholar with over 15 years of teaching experience across diverse age groups in Islamic schools and community platforms. She began her academic journey at Wayne State University with a major in Biology and minor in Secondary Education and later earned her Aalimiyah Degree in Islamic Sciences, specializing in Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh, Aqeedah, and Arabic. Afia is passionate about integrating Islamic values with academic excellence to nurture confident, morally grounded individuals prepared to navigate the challenges of modern life.

Rumaysa Khan, our Lead Teacher, holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from National Louis University and is a licensed educator. Her teaching journey over the last three years includes working closely with young children at Primrose School, helping them grow during their most crucial developmental stages. She strives to create a nurturing, engaging, and faith-centered environment that encourages academic success, social-emotional growth, and a lifelong connection to Islamic values. Her expertise, warm approach, and dedication to integrating Islamic values into early learning make her an ideal guide for our youngest learners at Beacon House.

Iffath Farooq, our Lead Teacher, is an experienced educator with over a decade of service in teaching, tutoring, and program coordination. She has worked in both academic and nonprofit settings, supporting students across grade levels through tailored instruction, classroom management, and family engagement. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education – School Counseling, Iffath is passionate about fostering student well-being and academic growth. Her strong organizational skills, commitment to inclusive education, and background in social work uniquely position her to support diverse student populations both inside and outside the classroom.

Afaf Masood, our QAIS Teacher, is a dedicated Islamic educator with over 10 years of experience in teaching Qur’an, Tajweed, Islamic Studies, and Arabic. Afaf completed a Tajweed Teacher Training Course earning her Ijazah in Tajweed and completed the 1 year Arabic Intensive at Darul Qasim. She was an Islamic Studies & Qur’an Teacher At Valley Ranch Islamic Center in Dallas for 2 years before moving back to Chicago. She also holds an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is passionate about nurturing students’ connection to the Qur’an and Sunnah through meaningful and engaging instruction.

Armina Sharif, our Teachers Assistant, is a Hafidha, holds a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy with honors, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Armina’s diverse teaching experience, ranging from instructing university-level philosophy students to helping middle schoolers master math concepts and serving as an elementary school Quran teacher, equips her to support a wide range of learners. Armina is a staunch advocate of purpose-driven learning and believes in creating meaningful, student-centered educational experiences that foster academic growth alongside Islamic moral and character development.