Shaheda Hakim is a highly esteemed Islamic scholar who has devoted her life to the pursuit of Islamic knowledge and the service of others. With a rich background in Islamic studies and an impressive teaching career in various schools, she has made a significant impact on the Islamic community through her halaqas, youth and family counseling, and extensive community service.

Shaheda is from a family of Islamic Scholars, and her father, Mufti Abdul Jaleel, taught hadith at the highest level for 40 years. She grew up in South Africa and completed her Master's degree in Islamic Sciences at a traditional Islamic Madrasah. Thereafter, she moved to America and began serving the Muslim community with her late husband, Sheikh Irfan Kabiruddin.

She began working at various Islamic institutes, teaching Qur’an and Islamic Studies to young girls and boys. She has taught at Al Huda Islamic School, Masjidul Islam in Rhode Island MA, and the Islamic Society of Baltimore, in addition to Halaqas in various other Masaajid and classes for sisters and children at home.

Over her many years of teaching and mentoring young minds, she has garnered a close relationship with many young girls and has helped many through their spiritual struggles. This has led to a realization that young women-and men are not getting the spiritual nourishment needed to help them function as strong Muslims in America. The concentration of this problem was on high school-aged Muslim youth. Thus the vision for an Islamic high school was born. The goal of an institute like this was to enable Muslim youngsters to excel in the academic field without compromising their spiritual and core Islamic selves.

After thoroughly consulting multiple teachers, Islamic scholars, and college students, a plan was formulated with Shaheda at the helm of this momentous task.

She applied for the establishment of a high school in 2016 and was approved two years later. but due to space limitations and the subsequent pandemic, the initiative could not move forward.

Many Halaqas and programs for sisters were conducted online during the pandemic. The need was there for a location to facilitate these programs as well as be a foundation for the High School. Al Salaam Center in Owings Mills was opened in 2021 in an attempt to realize the initial goal. However, the location and layout proved to be unsuitable for an Islamic High School.

In 2022, the search for a new location began, and a suitable place was found in Ellicott City, MD. Shaheda Hakim reapplied and was certified to establish an Islamic high school, now in Howard County, MD. She currently coordinates the Educational committee of Al Salaam Academy. In addition to that, she owns and runs Al Misbah, an Islamic early education center, and conducts programs for young Muslim women. She is also currently pursuing a career in educational leadership to enable her to contribute more to the Muslim community.

S. Hakim resides with her three boys in Baltimore, MD.

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