Our mission is to preserve and transmit the sacred Islamic sciences through the development and cultivation of the next generation of Muslim scholars via a traditional pedagogy of Islamic scholarship which remains true to the rich Islamic scholarly legacy as well as remain conversant with the intellectual and spiritual complexities of the modern age.
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Vice Director
Head, Department of Theology
Lecturer
Brief Biography
Mawlānā Zakariyya has already cemented himself as a young and dynamic Muslim scholar in the Cape. Having graduated from Shaykh Taha Karaan’s seminary in 2016, he devoted the next six years to teaching at Shaykh Taha’s institute. Besides his studies at the seminary, he also holds a BA in mathematics and an Honours degree from the University of Cape Town. This distinctive fusion of classical Islamic education and secular studies has dovetailed beautifully and complimented his scholarly growth, especially in the fields of kalām and uṣūl al-fiqh.
Beyond his roles at The Kūrānī Institute, Mawlānā Zakariyya also serves on the Research Committee of the Muslim Judicial Council’s Fatwa Committee; regularly advises the Muslim Students Association in Cape Town; and lectures part-time at the Mizan Institute. His multifaceted contributions underscore a dedication to both scholarly excellence and leadership within the community.
Head, Department of Arabic
Head, Department of Tafsīr
Lecturer
Brief Biography
Shaykh Nazeer Majiet is a young and passionate Islamic scholar. Having spent the last ten years in Egypt, Shaykh Nazeer studied and developed a keen interest in several Islamic sciences, including naḥw, ṣarf, balāghah, adab, uṣūl, manṭiq, and tafsīr. In his time there, he also managed to complete the seven and ten qirāʾah under several notable mashāyikh.
Shaykh Nazeer Majiet’s passion for Islamic knowledge is evident not just in his academic achievements, but also in his dedication to sharing this wisdom with others. By cultivating a collaborative learning environment, he empowers students to reach their full potential. This commitment serves as a testament to his devotion to the sacred sciences, solidifying his crucial role as a valuable contributor to the Muslim scholarly community in the Cape.
Vice Director
Curriculum Supervisor
Head, Department of Ḥadīth
Lecturer
Brief Biography
Mawlānā Azhar Pathan was born in Toronto, Canada, but has called the Cape home for the past fifteen years. During this time, he had the privilege of remaining in the close company of the late Shaykh Taha Karaan, traveling alongside him to several countries and assisting wherever he could with his scholarly pursuits. Following his graduation in 2011, Mawlānā Azhar dedicated ten years to teaching at Shaykh Taha’s institute.
Alongside his commitments at The Kūrānī Institute, Mawlānā Azhar is currently completing his Master’s Thesis at the University of Western Cape. In his leisure time, he manages and updates www.TahaKaraan.com, a website dedicated to showcasing and preserving the life, legacy, and works of Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Brief Biography
Following his graduation in 2016, Mawlānā Ẓāfir devoted six years to instructing a diverse array of subjects at the esteemed institute founded by the late Shaykh Taha Karaan. Beyond his ardent engagement with the Shāfiʿī school of thought, Mawlānā Ẓāfir harbors a distinct passion for the seven qirāʾāt, resulting in the acquisition of numerous ijāzahs from several notable scholars.
Mawlānā Ẓāfir’s journey not only underscores his dedication to disseminating Islamic knowledge but also reveals a profound and enduring enthusiasm for continuous learning. His multifaceted approach to both teaching and learning serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
Brief Biography
After graduating in 2023 from the esteemed seminary of the late Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlānā Arshad joined The Kūrānī Institute, where he has continued to deepen his scholarly pursuits. His particular interests lie in the fields of ḥadīth and Islamic manuscripts, showcasing his dedication to the preservation and understanding of Islamic traditions and texts. Currently, Mawlānā Arshad is working on several projects, including a comprehensive exploration al-Bukhārī’s taʿliqāt.
His commitment to both traditional Islamic studies and academic scholarship positions him as a promising and influential figure within the Cape’s scholarly community.
Brief Biography
Mawlānā Saleem Gaibie stands as a foremost authority in the sacred sciences of tajwīd and qirāʾah within the English-speaking world. As one of the foremost students of Qarī Ayyub Ishaq, South Africa’s most senior authority of tajwīd and qirāʾah, Mawlānā Saleem is not only a prolific author with a portfolio of over ten works but his unwavering dedication to the sciences of tajwīd and qirāʾah is also manifest in the sheer number of students he has the world over.
Currently, Mawlānā Saleem is also completing his MA thesis at the University of Western Cape and is the director and principal of al-Tanzil, an institute he founded in 2015 that is dedicated to the sciences of tajwīd and qirāʾah in the Cape.
Brief Biography
Mawlānā Muhammad Carr, a well-respected figure in the Cape’s scholarly community, holds distinguished roles as an imam, author, lecturer, Islamic finance advisor, and community leader.
His leadership at The Kūrānī Institute not only showcases his commitment to academic and spiritual excellence but also underscores his dedication to fostering an environment that encourages critical thinking and promotes spiritual and intellectual growth. Mawlānā Carr’s holistic approach to scholarship and community service solidifies his reputation as a respected and well-rounded figure, inspiring those around him to engage deeply with their faith and the broader societal context.
Brief Biography
Mawlānā Ebrahim Gafoor, with an extensive career spanning over four decades as an imam in the Cape, is recognized as a highly respected scholar and influential community leader.
Alongside his role as a lecturer at The Kūrānī Institute, Mawlānā Ebrahim also takes charge of a full-time taḥfīẓ class. Beyond these commitments, he generously imparts his expertise in marital counseling, offering invaluable guidance to individuals and couples in Cape Town. Moreover, Mawlānā Gafoor actively serves on the MJC’s Imārah Council—the organization’s highest governing body.
His multifaceted contributions not only showcase the depth of his knowledge but also underscore his unwavering dedication to fostering spiritual, educational, and social well-being within the community he serves.
