About ALA School Foundation

Syed Kamal is an entrepreneur and technology executive since 1997, when he established an IT consulting services company, which later acquired an ERP/Supply-chain software business in 2002. He expanded the company to international markets with offices in Asia and Middle East. He is also the Founder/CIO of Gillani Consulting Group, based in Dallas, Texas, providing IT Strategy, Solutions, Services to SME’s and corporate clients.

Syed’s passion for education sector dates back to 2003 when he established Gillani Scholars Program with University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) and gifted Gillani’s ERP/Supply-chain software to the university for teaching and research purposes. Syed went on to extend the program to several other universities globally, and served in technology advisory roles for UTD, PMU, KFUPM, NUST, and Effat University. Syed has also served on school boards, while his two daughters and two sons were educated through public and private schools (including online school) in the United States. In 2021 he also co-founded ALA Online School.

Dr. Iram Shaikh- Jilani is an educator with 21+ years working in public, private, and international schools. She has earned her Doctorate degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Northeastern University and served as an auditor/accreditation team member for several IB, CISNA, COGNIA, & AdvancEd visits. Dr. Shaikh is inspired by student achievement and continuous school improvement as the cornerstone of her success. Dr. Shaikh has led over eight accreditations in the past 7 years across three different schools, including schools ranging from low socio-economic to schools that belong to a royal family.  She takes the role of service in education seriously, spending many evenings and weekends supporting students via phone, zoom, or text, as well as prioritizing work with internationally and domestically. She has pioneered the onset of several schools, served on boards of schools and has been an active member of schools across the nation as a consultant for school improvement. In 2021 she also co-founded ALA Online School.

Meriem El Ouarzazi has 10 years of Business Management experience including team management, bookkeeping, sales & marketing, customer service, and high-level decision making. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. In 2021 she also co-founded ALA Online School, where she has been a board director.

Ms. EL Ouarzazi also has been serving as ALA School Foundation DIrector and Secretary.

Dr. Qadeer Haider is the Assistant Director of Assessment at UT Arlington. He provides leadership for Texas Core Curriculum Objective assessment at UTA, supports program assessment, SACSCOC accreditation matters, and other institution-wide outcomes assessment initiatives. Experienced researcher and assessment specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Data Analysis, Quantitative Research, Grant Writing, Qualitative Research, and University Teaching. Strong research professional with a Doctor of Philosophy – PhD focused in Mathematics Teacher Education from Florida State University. Dr. Haider taught Mathematics and Computer Science at the high school and college levels for more than 11 years and in three different countries. He has master’s degrees in both Computer Science and Mathematics. His research interest is in assessment development and validation for both K–12 and college-level courses.

Imam Manzarul Islam Al-Azhari is a Mufti, Imam, and has taught Quran, Arabic and Islamic Studies in the United States.

Imam Manzarul Islam Al-Azhari was born in India and attended a traditional seminary for 8 years to complete his Alim education whilst learning multiple languages including Urdu, Persian, Hindi, and Arabic. He completed his undergraduate degree in Islamic Studies from Al-Azhar University in Cairo. He then served in the Egyptian Dar Al-Ifta to complete his qualification as a Mufti. After moving to US, Imam Manzar studied at UNC Chapel Hill, Oxford University UK, and completed his M.A. from Duke University. He also taught courses at Duke University. Currently Imam Manzar is pursuing his Ph.D. from the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He has to his credit over 50 published research papers and books. He has presented his works in several international universities. He currently holds the position of Imam and Resident Scholar at the Islamic Center of Morrisville, Morrisville, NC.

Imam Dr. Mostafa Muftah holds a PhD in Tafsir & Quranic Sciences, and Master of Ten Quranic Recitations.

Imam Dr. Mostafa also holds MA in Tafsir & Quranic Sciences, and a BA in Islamic & Arabic Sciences. Imam Mostafa holds all ten variances of Quranic Recitations by way of Tayyibah (Kubra), & Islamic Studies, From Al-Azhar Ash-shareef, Egypt. He also holds ten variances of Quranic Recitations by way of Shaatibiyah and Durrah (Sughra), & Islamic Studies, From Al-Azhar Ash-shareef, Egypt. His Specializations include Tajweed, Islamic Studies, and Quranic Sciences, From Al-Azhar Ash-shareef, Egypt.

Experienced Real Estate Developer and investor with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate industry. Skilled in Real Estate Transactions, Management, Customer Service, Strategic Planning, and Restaurant Management.  Br. Mohammed Iqbal Jetpuri has been an investor for 40 years and CEO of a restaurant chain for 27 years.

He is currently advisor to ALA School Foundation and was instrumental in establishing the Zakat Fund which then gives Qardh al-Hasan (Arabic: قرض الحسن, translation: benevolent lending) to qualified students in the United States and International Students to attend ALA Islamic Schools. The loan will be given first to the families who could be running short to pay the tuition at ALA Islamic School, due to loss of job, sickness, death of  sole income earner parent, or low income not enabling them to pay full tuition. They will pledge to promise to pay back the loan in their lifetime when they are able to pay it back, and if they are not able to pay it back in their lifetime then accept the loan as Zakat received.

Br. Mohammed Jetpuri is also the first donor to the ALA School Foundation Zakat Fund. May Allah bless him and and his family and reward him for all his efforts to help establish the Zakat Fund in 2024.