Administration
Sumair Balkhi
Director/Principal
Sumair oversees the general operations of Bayaan Academy. He holds a Master’s in Education, and a dual major in Psychology and Economics. He holds an Advanced Professional Teaching Certificate and served public high schools, colleges, and universities in USA and abroad. He has studied Arabic language and books of fiqh under various scholars from Jeddah and USA. His 20+ years experience in academic management help guide Bayaan’s vision nationally and internationally.
Imran Tahir
Operations Lead
Imran grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and now resides in Houston, Texas. He obtained an Aalimiyyah Degree by completing a seven-year Usool Shariah program and holds certifications in Cyber Security and Scrum Master. As the Operations Lead at Bayaan Academy, Imran brings nearly a decade of expertise to his role. Outside of his professional work, Imran enjoys camping, hiking, martial science, and exploring the outdoors. A fun fact about him is that he is a polyglot, skilled in multiple languages.
Shamilah Firdausi
Assistant Director
Shamilah Firdausi was born in South Africa and now resides in Namibia. She holds a BA in English and a Level 5 TEFL qualification, along with over six years of experience in English education and more than a decade of experience in Islamic Studies. Shamilah completed a five-year Alima course at Madrassah Tarbiyatul Banaat in South Africa. Currently serving as the Assistant Director at Bayaan Academy, she enjoys research, reading, writing, organizing, and decorating. As an aesthete and logophile, Shamilah’s love for beauty and words shapes her unique outlook.
Wajma Halimi-Modaser
High School Lead
Wajma Halimi-Modaser was born in Afghanistan and spent her early childhood in Pakistan before moving to the United States at the age of 10. She has resided in Long Island, New York, ever since. Wajma holds an MS in Education from Long Island University and is currently enrolled in the School Leadership Certificate Program at Harvard Business School. She serves as the High School Lead at Bayaan Academy, bringing extensive experience to her role.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Wajma enjoys planning and coordinating events, especially for youth, and cherishes time spent in nature. Camping near waterfalls is a highlight of her annual trips. She is also deeply involved in her community and co-founded the Huntington Muslim Youth Outreach, which received recognition for its interfaith education and community service efforts. A key contributor to advocating for Eid holidays in local school districts, her efforts have helped many schools in Long Island officially recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as holidays, Alhamdulillah.
Jenna A.
Middle School Lead
Ustadha Jenna A. was born and raised in the United States, where she continues to reside. She holds a Master’s degree in English Education and a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Psychological and Educational Sciences. As the Middle School Lead and Success Coach at Bayaan Academy, Ustadha Jenna brings over a decade of experience to her role, fostering growth and excellence among her students.
Amatullah Armand
Elementary Lead
Amatullaah Armand is originally from Brooklyn, New York, and has been living in New Cairo, Egypt, for the past decade. She has been teaching for approximately 15 years and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Education and has earned a TEFL Certificate as well as a Montessori Diploma. As the Elementary Lead at Bayaan Academy, Amatullaah is also deeply dedicated to her studies at Safeeratul Al-Islaam Online Academy, where she is learning Qur’aan, Tajweed, Arabic, and Islamic Studies. May Allaah accept it from her and all of us, Ameen.
Zainab Adeel
IT Lead
Zainab Adeel grew up in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and currently resides in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. She holds a Master of Science in Computer Science with a specialization in Software Engineering and has obtained an Aalimiyah Degree from EMahad Institute Pakistan. As the IT Lead at Bayaan Academy, Zainab brings over a decade of expertise in her field. Outside of her professional role, Zainab enjoys reading and exploring historical chronicles. A fun fact about her is that she has been fascinated by technology since the 2000s, experimenting with an old, clunky computer back in the day—though she assures everyone she’s not as old as they might think!
Hajer BenAbid
Instructional Lead
Hajer Ben Abid grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and now resides in London, Ontario. She holds a Master’s degree in Linguistics and brings nearly a decade of experience to her role as Instructional Lead at Bayaan Academy. Outside of her professional life, Hajer enjoys traveling and has a fascinating history of living and working in over eight different countries, which has enriched her global perspective.
Muminah Kudu
Curriculum Coordinator
Muminah Kudu was born in Japan and now resides in Saudi Arabia. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and has a decade of experience in the field. Currently serving as the Curriculum Coordinator at Bayaan Academy, she is also pursuing the Hifz of the Quran. Outside of her professional endeavors, Muminah enjoys cooking, photography, blogging, calligraphy, and camping. She is a proud mother of five amazing children, Al-Hamdulillah.
Imam Javid Bhaiyat
Religious Advisor
Shaykh Javid Bhaiyat is one of the senior scholars in the Maryland area and serving the community for over 25 years. He is currently head of the Delaware/Maryland/Virginia Ulamah Council. He meets with the Bayaan Academy management team bi-weekly providing valuable insight and religious guidance.
Abdullah Kumar
Financial Advisor
Being one of the youngest general manager’s of a large private corporation in the Middle East, Abdullah’s advice helps ensure strategic growth of Bayaan Academy while ensuring fiscal responsible.