Omar Amir Al-Azhari
Founder
Shaykh Omar Amir Al-Azhari, a graduate of the prestigious Al-Azhar University, was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. Over the past eight years, he has studied—and continues to study—Maliki Fiqh under esteemed scholars, including Shaykh Ahmed al-Maghili, Shaykh Walead Mosaad, and others.
He has also studied Hadith with Shaykh Osamh Mansi, a senior student of Sayyid Muhammad ‘Alawi al-Maliki. and Shaykh Umer Mien, and pursued Arabic Grammar and Balāghah under Shaykh Mohamed Hasan Othman. In addition, Shaykh Omar has undertaken extensive studies in ‘Aqidah, Usul al-Fiqh, and Logic with distinguished traditional scholars.
His primary areas of focus are Maliki Fiqh and Tasawwuf. He continues to receive spiritual guidance from Shaykh Abul Huda al-Shadhili.
Previously, Shaykh Omar served as a faculty member at Al-Maqasid Seminary for five years. He is currently the founder and instructor at Revival Ihya.
Cori Saleh
Co-Founder, Principal
Ustadha Cori graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Lycoming College in 2013. During her undergraduate studies, she was a teacher’s assistant and tutor for the Religious Studies Department. Since 2014, Cori has been teaching in a variety of roles and settings, including a religious institution and non-profit organization. In 2020 Cori started Revival Ihya School, a fully integrated academic and Islamic education program for 1st to 6th grade students. Aside from teaching and program management, Cori is also a curriculum writer for Tayba Foundation and a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching in Classical Education at Templeton Honors College.
Brandon Rakowski
Religious Director, Teacher
Ustadh Brandon serves as religious director and an instructor of Islamic studies at Revival Ihya.
Brandon graduated summa cum laude from Kenyon College, with a B.A. in Philosophy. After studying Arabic and foundational Islamic sciences at Al Maqasid Seminary, he traveled to Turkey to pursue further studies in Arabic grammar (nahwu and sarf), sacred law (fiqh), theology (aqida) and spirituality (tasawwuf) under his teacher, Sh. Abul Huda Al Naqshbandi Al Shadhili. He has simultaneously pursued training in mental health counseling and now provides counseling remotely and in-person, in Allentown, PA.
Maureen Monaco
Outreach Manager
Maureen Monaco was born and raised in the Allentown area, and attended Hofstra University and Kutztown University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She embraced Islam at the age of 21 and was blessed to spend the next few years learning the religion from Imam Muhammad ‘Abdur Razzaq.
Marrying her husband Jason in 2001, she embarked on the life-changing journey of raising a family. She and Jason have 7 children, ranging in age from 19 to 5 years old. Maureen has operated a halal health and wellness business for 17 years out of her home.
Natascha Ekici
Teacher
Rehab Nada
Teacher
Dr. Rehab Nada is an experienced Quran and Arabic language educator with over 20 years of teaching children and adults. She specializes in Quranic recitation, Tajweed, memorization, and Arabic instruction for non-Arabic speakers.
Born and raised in Egypt, Rehab moved to the United States in 2002. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication from Alexandria University, Egypt. She is also the founder of Dar Al Rehab, an online school for Quran and Arabic, as well as the after school reading program at Tajan Quran Institute at the Islamic Education Center of Pennsylvania (IECPA/ISA).
Rehab has developed curricula for learners of all ages, blending traditional methods with modern teaching approaches to make learning both engaging and effective. She earned both a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in the Methods of Teaching Quranic Studies and Its Performance from the American Open University in Washington (AOU), Department of Islamic Studies and Quranic Performance.
In addition, Rehab holds multiple Ijazahs in Quranic recitation and Tajweed, reflecting her dedication to authentic Islamic education and her commitment to helping students connect deeply with the Quran .
Michelle Biondi
Teacher
Michelle graduated from Thomas Jefferson University (f.k.a Philadelphia University) in 2005 with a dual degree in Marketing and Management. After graduating she moved to New York City where she worked for the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services during Mayor Bloomberg’s administration. She currently works part-time for the New York City Department for the Aging’s Office of Procurement.
Ruhaan Syed
Teacher
Ruhaan Syed has been working with children and art for the last 25 years. After graduating from a high school program dedicated to visual art students, she attended Kutztown University’s College of Visual and Performing arts before embracing Islam and starting a family. During that time, she performed as a muralist and returned to school to receive her associate in fine arts in 2007. She has taught and lead art classes at Islamic schools, summer camps, and homeschool coops for the last 15 years while managing a family business and creating modest active wear for our youth. She is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys spending time in nature, hiking and exploring this vast world.
Julia Saqib
Teacher
Julia is an educator committed to fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment. She completed her undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University and furthered her academic journey at the University of Belgrano in Argentina. Following graduation, Julia completed her state exams in pedagogy and began teaching in a bilingual classroom in the Texas public school system. In addition to teaching, Julia finds joy in various personal interests, including hiking, traveling, reading, cooking, and the study of language, religion, and history.