Omar Amir Al-Azhari
Founder
Shaykh Omar Amir Al-Azhari is an Al-Azhar University graduate, born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. He also holds a business degree from the German University in Cairo and a diploma in branding from NYU. For the past nine years, he has pursued and continues to pursue Maliki fiqh with esteemed scholars, including Shaykh Ahmed al Maghili and Shaykh Walead Mosaad.
His studies also include hadith with Shaykh Osama Mansi, a senior student of Sayyid Muhammad ‘Alawi al Maliki, and Shaykh Umer Mien; Arabic grammar and balāghah with Shaykh Mohamed Hasan Othman; and extensive study of ‘aqidah, uṣūl al fiqh, and logic with traditional scholars. His training further includes Dar al-Iftaa al Misriyya’s three year Iftaa program for Al-Azhar graduates.
Shaykh Omar’s primary areas of focus are Maliki fiqh and tasawwuf. He continues to receive spiritual guidance from Shaykh Abul Huda al Shadhili.
After serving for five years as a faculty member at Al-Maqasid Seminary, Shaykh Omar founded Revival Ihya, where he currently teaches.
Cori Saleh
Head of School
Ustadha Cori Saleh has over 12 years of experience in the field of education, serving in a variety of teaching and leadership roles. She consults with schools both nationally and internationally, helping them implement classical education models inspired by the tradition of Charlotte Mason.
She actively supports homeschooling families through the Ihya model, guiding parents in applying the Charlotte Mason approach in a structured and practical way within their homes.
Ustadha Cori is the principal of Revival Ihya Academy located in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, where she leads a fully integrated academic and Islamic education program. She is also a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching in Classical Education at Templeton Honors College.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Religious. Since 2014, she has been teaching in diverse settings including religious institutions and non profit organizations.
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.
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.