Faculty
Br. Sofiane Hafiani, B.S., M.A., Ed., PH.D
Principal and Islamic Sciences/Arabic Teacher for Native Speakers
Br. Sofiane is the school Headmaster; his primary task is to shape the school’s mission and vision. He holds a degree in Exact Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry), and also graduated from the University of Southern NH in Computer Information System. He also holds a masters degree in education with a focus on Islamic schools and Islamic Sciences and a PhD in Fiqh and its fundamentals.
Br. Sofiane has been teaching for over three decades and took a special interest in Muslim youth. He has experience as a religious director, teacher, and Imam in different Islamic centers and educational institutions in the New England area. He still serves as an advisor for Islamic schools and institutions in the Boston area. This will be his twentieth year at ANA.
Br. Sofiane may be reached at principal@alnooracademy.org.
Br. Feroskhan Hibathul careem, B.B.A., MBA.
Acting Assistant Principal
Br. Feroskhan is a seasoned education professional with over 20 years of experience in the education sector. His extensive career spans teaching and leadership roles across the USA, Seychelles, Oman, and Sri Lanka. He holds an MBA with merit and a BBA, and is also a certified ACCA accounting professional, with additional certifications in marketing and Global Financial Compliance from CISI-UK. During his tenure as a Program Leader in Oman, Feroskhan effectively managed and developed academic programs, fostering excellence in education. He also served as Deputy Principal, where he showcased his strong administrative and leadership skills. Feroskhan has significant experience in managing students from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on promoting inclusiveness and ensuring
equitable learning opportunities for all. With a rich blend of academic qualifications
and international experience, Feroskhan continues to inspire and empower students
and educators alike.
Br. Feroskhan may be reached at [email protected].
Sr. Fatma Abdelwahab, L.L.B.
Headmaster’s Assistant
Sr. Fatma Mohamed Abdelwahab is a graduate of the Law School at Ain-Shams University in Cairo, Egypt. She also has a diploma in Medical and Legal Secretarial Sciences from the Medical and Legal Secretarial Sciences School in RI. She has been with the Islamic Academy for 19 years. Sr. Fatma first worked as the school secretary and Social Studies teacher. Now she works as both the school’s Registrar and as the Headmaster’s Assistant.
Sr. Fatma may be reached at [email protected].
Sr. Siham Yagoubi, B.S., M.S.
Lead Teacher, Science Department Head and Mathematics Teacher
Sr. Siham is the head of the Mathematics and Science Department and is a member of the ANA Executive Committee. This will be her fourteenth year at ANA, teaching math for grades 6 through 10. She also worked as a facilitator for online classes at Boston University. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Boston University, specializing in software engineering. She also completed a graduate certificate program in Bioinformatics at the University of Illinois.
Sr. Siham may be reached at [email protected].
Dr. MOHAMMAD EL-NESR, B.S., M.S., PH.D.
Science Teacher 
Dr. Mohammad El-Nesr is a scientist, educator, and researcher with more than 20 years of experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. He has taught environmental science, mathematics, and engineering at the university level, guiding students in research, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Dr. El-Nesr is passionate about inspiring young minds by simplifying complex concepts through interactive demonstrations, real-world examples, and the integration of Islamic values into the learning process. He encourages curiosity, respect, and a love of learning in every student.
Dr. El-Nesr may be reached at [email protected]
Br. Hamzah Henshaw, A.B., M.A.T
College Placement Advisor
Br. Hamzah joined ANA in the summer of 2013. Born and raised in Greater Boston, Hamzah accepted Islam in 1994 while attending a suburban boarding school. He is a 2001 graduate of Harvard College, where he studied Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and served as the editor of the Let’s Go Italy & Let’s Go Middle East travel guides. In 2005, he completed the Center for Arabic Study Abroad (CASA) program at the American University in Cairo. In 2010, he received his Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, Vermont.
After starting his career in the field of Islamic Banking in New York and Cape Town, South Africa, Hamzah transitioned to education in the spring of 2003. He has taught at the Islamic Academy of New England in Sharon, Wesgreen International School in Sharjah, UAE, and the American Language Center in Rabat. From 2006-2013, Hamzah worked at Fay School in Southborough, the country’s oldest junior boarding school. At Fay, Hamzah served as the Director of the International Summer School, taught ESL, English, and History to grades 6-9, coached tennis, and served as a dorm parent. This year will be his fifth year at Al-Noor Academy.
Br. Hamzah may be reached at [email protected].
mr. Brendan morrison, B.S.
English Language Arts Teacher
Mr. Brendan Morrison is an English Language Arts teacher at Al-Noor Academy’s Mansfield Campus. He graduated from Miami University (OH) in 2023 and holds a B.S. in Education aswell as a certificate in teaching ESL. In the summer of 2022, he received the Critical Language Scholarship for the Punjabi language and he speaks Arabic, Punjabi, and Hindi.
In the past, Brendan has taught English Language Arts at the secondary level as well as helped to facilitate a creative writing class. He also has several years of experience in English language tutoring and has taught students that speak a wide variety of native languages. This will be his second year at Al-Noor Academy.
Br. Brendan may be reached at [email protected]
Br. SALIM MAJDI, B.A., M.A.
Social Studies Teacher
Br. Hafidh Salim Majdi will be teaching Social Sciences this year. He is a Hafidh of
the Qur’an and has over ten years of experience in education, working in different
teaching roles. He has taught Arabic, English, and Qur’anic studies in both classroom and community settings. He also has a strong academic background in languages and literature, which supports his ability to teach diverse subjects effectively. In addition to classroom teaching, he has volunteered for several years at local masajid, helping students and community members learn Arabic and Qur’an. His experience includes working with children, teens, and adults in various learning environments. He looks forward to creating a structured and supportive classroom where students can learn Social Sciences while developing strong study habits and good character.
Br. Salim may be reached at [email protected].
HAFITH KHALID OULAD ABDELLAH, B.A., M.A., Ph
Advanced Quran & Intermediate Arabic Teacher 
Hafith Khalid Oulad Abdellah was born in Holland, raised in Morocco, and sought knowledge in Syria and Egypt. At a very early age, he embarked on a knowledge-seeking journey that lasted fourteen years. He obtained a baccalaureate degree from the Al-Furqan Institute for Islamic Studies in Damascus after studying for five years. Then he traveled to Cairo where Allah Ta’ala honored him by allowing him to complete his bachelor’s at the College of Education at Al-Azhar University. He then joined the Higher Institute for Islamic Studies and obtained his master’s degree, with a thesis on the family and its role in raising the child in light of the prophetic approach. He is now in his second year in a Ph.D. program in Islamic educational thought in Morocco.
Hafith Khalid taught the Noble Qur’an and the principles of Islamic education in branches of the Zaid bin Thabit Mosque in Damascus. He worked as a professor of Islamic education and the Arabic language in Morocco at the preparatory and secondary levels for five years. He loves teaching and considers it his mission in life, and educational activities constitute a large part of his work. He loves to help his students achieve creativity and distinction through nasheed, theater, and producing educational short films. This will be his first year at ANA.
Hafith Khalid may be reached at [email protected]
Sr. Halla AlMussry
Quran/Arabic Teacher for Non-Native Speakers 
Sr. Halla Almussry is an experienced Islamic educator with a strong passion for teaching and fostering a deep love for the Quran Al-Kareem. She has a strong foundation in Islamic sciences through her studies at Al-Aa’Faq University in Damascus, Syria. She also holds an Ijazzah in Al-Quran Al-Kareem and is certified in Al-Qa’ida Al-Nouraniya. With 18 years of teaching experience in Islamic schools, Sr. Halla has successfully worked with students of various age groups, spanning a wide range of ages.
In addition to her extensive teaching background, Sr. Halla offers online tutoring services in Quran, Arabic, and Islamic Studies. She has also assisted some students in becoming Hufath of the Quran. Through her teaching, Sr. Halla strives to create innovative and effective methods for children to memorize and develop a profound connection with the Quran Al-Kareem. This will be her second year at Al-Noor Academy
Building Custodian
Ruben Mendez serves as the custodian at both Mansfield and Sharon campuses. He joined ANA faculty in 2014 after working with the school for the four previous years through a private cleaning company. In addition to keeping the interior of the buildings spotless, Ruben also does much of the landscaping for both schools. Ruben lives with his wife and two sons.
