Our educators

Teachers who bring together deen, education, and real-world experience.

At Rochester, Minnesota’s only full-time Islamic school combining academic and Islamic education, students learn from educators with backgrounds spanning Qur’an, Arabic, Islamic studies, public education, science, university teaching, counseling, and homeschooling.

School leadership

Leadership shaped by both education and community service.

Principal & Head Teacher

Abdirahman Ikar, M.A.

Qur’an Ijāzah Khateeb Former Public-School Teacher Former University Lecturer & Counselor Former Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Abdirahman Ikar serves as Al-Khair Islamic School’s Principal and Head Teacher. His background brings together Islamic education, public-school teaching, university instruction and counseling, and the sciences. Before focusing on education, he worked as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist; he later served as a public-school English teacher and as a university lecturer and counselor.

Alongside his academic and professional work, he is a current khateeb and holds an ijāzah in Qur’an. His combined experience shapes Al-Khair’s approach: serious Islamic learning, strong academics, individualized student growth, character development, and preparation for life beyond the classroom.

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Teaching team

Islamic scholarship and hands-on teaching experience.

Our teachers bring different strengths to the classroom while sharing the same goal: helping students grow in their deen, academics, character, and confidence.

Teacher

Abdulhaadi Harouna

Abdulhaadi combines formal training in Arabic, education, Qur’an memorization, Islamic teaching, and environmental science. He earned a B.A. in Arabic Language and a Diploma in Educational Preparation from the Islamic University of Madinah, as well as a B.S. in Environmental Science.

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Islamic University of Madinah graduate
Arabic Language and Educational Preparation.

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Experienced Qur’an & Islamic Studies teacher
Has taught religious subjects and at a Qur’an education and memorization center.

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Direct student of Shaykh Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Qāsim
Imam of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah.

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Arabic–English bilingual background
Professional interpretation experience in addition to teaching.

Teacher

Madiha Abdulrahman

Madiha Abdulrahman brings approximately a decade of experience homeschooling and teaching both secular and Islamic subjects. Her experience gives her a strong understanding of individualized instruction, family-centered education, and how to help children progress across multiple subjects without separating their Islamic development from their academic growth.

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About a decade of homeschooling experience
Teaching both academic and Islamic subjects.

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Direct student of Shaykhah Shaymāʾ al-Miṣriyyah
A teacher who holds ijāzah in the ten qirāʾāt.

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Whole-child instructional perspective
Experienced in integrating home education, Islamic learning, and academic development.

What this means for students

Islamic education is not an “extra” added onto the school day.

Our staff model the kind of integration we want for our students: Qur’an and Islamic knowledge alongside strong literacy, mathematics, science, communication, and real-world skills. Students see that devotion to Islam and excellence in beneficial worldly knowledge belong together.