Our board

Dr. Tahir Wyatt is a founding board member of QARI. He graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia and began his studies at Temple University before receiving a full scholarship to study at the Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Wyatt completed studies in Arabic, Hadith, Islamic Studies, Da’wah, and ʿAqeedah, ultimately earning his Ph.D. in ʿAqeedah from the Islamic University of Madinah with the highest classification. In 2012, Dr. Wyatt was appointed by Royal Decree to teach Islam in English at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, becoming the first American granted that distinction. He has also served as a simultaneous interpreter for the Imams of the Prophet’s Mosque. In addition to his work at QARI, Dr. Wyatt serves as the Director of Systemic Theology at Yaqeen Institute and he continues to lecture nationally and internationally at mosques, universities, and Islamic institutions, continuing his work in Islamic education, Arabic instruction, and community development.

Shaykh Rashid Ahmadi is a co-founder and board member of QARI, where he serves as Director of Quranic Studies. Allah blessed him to memorize the Quran at the age of 16 in Lodi, California. He went on to spend nearly 15 years in Madinah, where he earned four degrees at the Islamic University of Madinah. He earned an associate degree in Arabic, a bachelor’s degree in Hadith, a postgraduate certificate in Islamic Studies (Da‘wah), and a master’s degree in Teaching Arabic to Speakers of Other Languages. He also holds ijazahs in several qira’at.

For the past decade, Shaykh Rashid has served the Muslim community in South Jersey as an imam at several local masajid. He is actively involved in mentoring young Muslims, teaching classes, and answering their questions about Islam.

Shaykh Hanif Fouse serves as a founding board member and director of the Accessible Arabic program at QARI. Born in Compton, California, he is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach, and holds a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom. Shaykh Hanif has extensive experience as an educator, lecturer, translator, and instructor of Islamic studies and Arabic. He has taught in both the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, bringing years of knowledge, practical teaching experience, and community leadership to his work. In addition to his work at QARI, Shaykh Hanif also serves as the resident Imam at United Muslim Masjid in Philadelphia. Through his khutbahs, classes, translations, and community service, Shaykh Hanif continues to serve as a source of guidance and Islamic education for the Muslim community in Philadelphia, New Jersey and beyond.