2 Year Certification in Islamic Studies
Muslims are required to face the Qibla during prayers. The word Qibla literally means direction. The Qibla certification in Islamic Studies will provide students with a clear Qibla (direction) towards Hidayah (guidance).
The aim of this program is to enrich Muslims with sound knowledge and understanding of Islam. It is to provide Muslims with the necessary knowledge and tools to contribute towards their society positively, whichever career or path they choose in life.
Registration is open!
Sheikh Ismet Husny Ahmad Akcin is the Imam and Resident Scholar at the Islamic Society of Baltimore.
Imam Ismet has served as an Imam for over 22 years at the following Masaajid across USA:
Islamic Cultural Center of New York, Manhattan
Islamic Center of Greater Miami, Florida
Islamic Center of El Paso, Texas
Rochester Islamic Center, NY
Sheikh Ismet also served as the
Imam at the Akev Islamic Center of Gumusyaka in Istanbul, Turkey.
Sheikh Ismet is known internationally as a Qari whose precise recitation of the Glorious Qur'an penetrates the hearts of those who are fortunate enough to hear him. His masterful control of tajweed and
intonation and his exceptional delivery of Allah's words have made him a world renowned Qari.
Sheikh Ismet received his diploma in Hahfizul Qur'an in 1981 from the Institute of Tahfizul Qur'an in Rize, Turkey. He then spent the next eight years studying at the Khatib Islamic Middle and High School in
Samsun, Turkey where he was awarded an Imam Khatib diploma. He furthered his Islamic education at one of the oldest and the most prestigious Islamic institutions in the world, the University of Al-Azhar in Cairo, Egypt where he graduated with degrees in Shariah (Islamic Law) and Tafseerul-ul-Qur'an (Commentary). At Al-Azhar, he was quickly recognized as one of their finest reciters of the Holy Qur'an which is an outstanding accomplishment.
While a student at Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ismet's learning was constant. From 1991 to 1995 he studied with Ahmed Nainah who is regarded as one of the most famous Qaris in the world. Shiekh Ismet also studied traditional Ijazah with Egyptian Quranic scholar and Qari, Sheikh Hasan Salih.
Sheikh Muhammad Ahmed was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Baltimore, MD. He memorized the Qur'an at ISB's Al-Rahmah Quran Academy when he was only 11. He then went on to study under Sheikh Yaseen Shaikh at ISBs' Al-Rahmah Seminary before moving onto continue his education in Karachi, Pakistan at Jamia Binoria.
Sheikh Muhammad then spent the next six years of his life training in the Islamic Sciences under Scholars from different parts of the world. He graduated from the rigorous Aalimiyyah program with multiple ijaazaat (licenses). He also obtained his Masters Equivelancy in Islamic Studies from the University of Karachi.
After returning home to Baltimore, he now serves at the Islamic Society of Baltimore as a Resident Scholar and Youth Director. Here, he regularly conducts halaqas, classes, workshops, and youth work.
Sheikh Yaseen Shaikh was born in 1982 to parents of Indian origin in Hackney, London, UK where he lived for much of his life. He obtained all of his religious education including memorisation of the entire Quranic text, Alimiyyah Studies (Rigorous Islamic Theology Program), and certification in issuing Fatwa (religious verdicts), from traditional seminaries in London. He completed a diploma and M.A in Islamic Studies from Birkbeck College, University of London. All of his education was received in London, UK.
Sheikh Yaseen has served as an Imam since 2002 in Stoke Newington, London, where he was also Head of Islamic Studies at a private school, Tawhid Secondary School. As an Imam, Sheikh Yaseen was involved with the spiritual activities of the Mosque, as well as outreach and civic activities, diversity training and working with various organizations on an advisory level.
In 2006, Sheikh Yaseen moved to the USA to serve at a Mosque in Dallas, Texas. Later he joined the Muslim Community in Baltimore, Maryland as Resident Scholar from 2013-2017.
As an Imam in the USA, Sheikh Yaseen engaged in spiritual and educational activities, catering to a wide range of members of the community. He was deeply engaged in multi faith dialogue and implemented initiatives to enhance the work and profile of the Muslim Community in the wider society. He also offered pastoral care and counselling to members of the Community.
In 2018, Sheikh Yaseen returned to the UK to be closer to his family. He served as an Imam and bereavement counselor at the largest and only dedicated Muslim Cemetery in the UK, Gardens of Peace. Here he performed the end of life rituals, offered bereavement counselling and support, and provided training on Muslim end of life matters to a variety of institutions.
Sheikh Yaseen very recently moved back to the Baltimore area with his wife and three daughters. He is an avid soccer fan and enjoys time with family and friends.
Sheikh Saad Baig serves as Head of School with the purview of Al-Rahmah School (ARS) and the Al-Rahmah Nursery (ARN). He joined ARS in 2018 as Director of Arabic, Islamic, and Quran Studies. Previously, he served as the Director of Religious Affairs for one of Illinois’ largest Muslim communities at the Islamic Center of the Quad-Cities.
He is a seasoned veteran providing leadership for religious-based organizations in areas of guidance, counseling, and academic instruction. Sheikh Saad has been a liaison to public schools on issues such as anxiety, trauma, depression, family and child issues, addiction, and transitioning migrant workers and their families to local communities. Sheikh Saad has established and promoted educational programs for adults and youth for more than a decade.
He is a chaplain, resident scholar, and assists with outreach for the Islamic Society of Baltimore (ISB) with area churches and synagogues. Sheikh Saad completed his Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Augustana College and a Master’s in Mental Health from Western Illinois University.
In addition to his professional degrees, Sheikh Saad completed the seven-year Alim program at Darul Uloom Zakariyya University in South Africa in 2008.
Justin Poe is a student of the Islamic sciences. He completed a B.A. in English Language and Literature from Stevenson University and thereafter pursued sacred knowledge full-time.
He studied in Baltimore for four years under Shaykh Yaseen Shaikh at Masjid al-Rahmah’s ʿālimiyya program, and then transferred to Darussalam Seminary in Lombard, IL and completed his studies under the eminent teachers and guides in the full-time seminary program.
He remained in Chicago for another year to study at Darul Qasim, taking courses in their Advanced Islamic Studies program.
Afterward, he pursued post-graduate studies and graduated in May 2022 from Zaytuna College’s M.A. program in Islamic Texts, with a concentration in theology and philosophy.
He now works full-time as a research specialist at Brandeis University under the American Society of Islamic Philosophy and Theology's (ASIPT) director, Dr. Aaron Spevack, and teaches locally at INK Baltimore Seminary.