Administration and teachers

Hi everyone! My name is Monawar Shurrab. I have been married to my husband Moamer Shurrab for 18 years, and we have two daughters and two sons.

I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Khawarizmi International College in Abu Dhabi in 2006 and worked in fraud risk management at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

I have worked at MEC since 2017 as an Arabic teacher, and am so happy to be a part of the team!

My name is Aziza Khakimova. I graduated from the Uzbekistan State University of World Languages with a bachelor’s degree in English Philology in 2008.

I have experience working in education, including teaching at School #2 in Tashkent from 2009–2010 and working as a teacher assistant at Iftin Charter School from 2012–2013.

Since 2016, I have been homeschooling my children, which has given me good experience in supporting children’s learning and development.

Assalamu alaykum! My name is Aya and this is my second year teaching at MEC. I am currently a nursing student and Alhamdulillah, this year I have the privilege of teaching Islamic Studies to grades 1-3 at MEC.

I used to be a student at MEC myself, so it holds a special place in my heart. I have always loved the teachers and welcoming community we build here, which continues to grow and improve every single year.

My name is Mahlak Abdullah. I graduated from UC San Diego with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology in 2024 and a Master’s degree in NanoEngineering in 2025.

This is my second year at MEC, where I teach Arabic. I am passionate about education and helping students develop academically, socially, and spiritually.

I am excited to be at MEC because I love being part of an Islamic school community where I can support our students, help them strengthen their Arabic language skills and Islamic values, and contribute to a positive and encouraging learning environment.

Education and professional experience

• I graduated in 1984 from the Faculty of Science at Al-Minya University, Egypt, with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry.
• I was hired as a staff member in the Chemistry Department.
• I earned my master’s degree from the same faculty in 1988.
• I earned my Ph.D. in Moscow, Russia, in 1994.
• I came to the United States in 1999 as a visiting scholar at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Got my Postdoctorate from University of Central Florida UCF @ Orlando on 2002.

My entire career has been in the field of vision improvement through the development of innovative materials for spectacle lenses, intraocular lenses (implanted in the eye), and smart contact lenses for augmented reality. Many patents (Alhamdu-le-LLAH).

Quran teaching

• I have been teaching Tajweed rules since 1992.
• I have an Ijazah for teaching Quraan Tajweed (Rewayat Hafs-an-Aasem).

Community service

• Board member of ICSD (Masjid Abo Baker in San Diego), 2003–2007.
• Imam representative at MAS Center of San Diego, 2008–2010.
• Imam representative at YASEEN Foundation in Belmont, Bay Area, 2011–2018.
• Imam representative at West Valley Muslim Association (WVMA) in Saratoga and Los Gatos, Bay Area, 2018–2024.

I am proud to be part of the team at Madina Educational Center.

My name is Banaz Qasab-Abdullah, and I am fairly new to the community. I moved here from San Diego two years ago and am grateful to now call this community home. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from California State University San Marcos.

This is my second year with MEC, where I have the privilege of teaching Islamic Studies to 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of the Madina family, as working with children has always been a dream of mine.

I truly enjoy seeing the students each week and sharing the beauty of our religion with them. It is especially meaningful to me to help the younger generation build a strong and positive relationship with Islam that, InshaAllah, they will carry with them throughout their lives.

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow alongside my students and to be part of their Islamic journey.