The people teaching the courses

Sheikh Umar Farooq

Director of Education

Sheikh Umar Farooq is a dedicated community leader and educator with a deep commitment to spiritual growth and accessible Islamic learning. He serves as an Imam at TARIC Mosque and is the Director of Education at Azhar Canada, where he supports students in building strong foundations in the sacred sciences.

His journey in Islamic scholarship began early with the memorization of the Holy Qur'an. After completing his local education, he pursued formal studies in the Islamic sciences and earned a Bachelor's degree from Al-Azhar University, one of the world's most renowned institutions of traditional scholarship.

With a firm grounding in classical tradition and a lived understanding of the Canadian context, Sheikh Umar bridges timeless scholarship with the questions students bring today. His classes are structured and his explanations are clear, with plenty of room for real questions, so the material actually sticks with students rather than staying abstract.

Beyond the classroom, Sheikh Umar is married and cares for two cats. He also enjoys soccer and finds peace in hiking and connecting with nature. He records the welcome video that greets new students on both of the college’s course portals.

Dr. Mona Gouda

Full-Time Instructor

Dr. Mona Gouda is a highly experienced Arabic Language and Islamic Studies instructor with over 20 years of teaching experience. She holds a Ph.D. in Arabic Studies from Al-Azhar University, with distinction and first-class honours. She has extensive experience teaching Arabic, Hadith, Tafsir, and Islamic Studies to students of different ages and backgrounds.

Dr. Mona specializes in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers and creating engaging learning environments that help students develop strong language skills and a deep understanding of Islamic knowledge. She has taught university-level Arabic courses and developed comprehensive curricula that guide students from beginner levels to advanced proficiency. That mix of passion and dedication carries into her teaching, and it's part of why students come away loving the Arabic language and feeling more connected to their Islamic studies.