The past is intricate and can often feel overwhelming to navigate. To help our young students unravel the rich and complex history of Muslim Spain, we have selected a scholarly and accomplished guide.

Dr. Firas Alkhateeb is an instructor of history, philosophy, and language and co-chair of the Humanities Department at Darul Qasim College. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago in Middle Eastern Studies with a focus in Islamic intellectual history, political theory, and Sufi philosophy. In addition to this, he has studied the Islamic sciences in a traditional manner under esteemed scholars in Chicago and Istanbul. 

He has previously taught high school history at Universal School in Bridgeview, IL from 2010 to 2015. He is the author of Lost Islamic History: Reclaiming Muslim Civilization from the Past. He particularly focuses on creating coherent and engaging narratives of Muslim history that are designed to inspire Muslim students to engage in the modern world within a uniquely Islamic framework.

Firas resides in Chicago with his wife and three children. 

Sumaiyya Rahman holds a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she cultivated her background in design and art. After several years of professional design work, she combined her passion for history and design in an educational setting, facilitating the study of Muslim history at the middle school level. 

With experience teaching history at both middle and high school levels, Sumaiyya expanded her academic pursuits by earning a master’s degree in the history of the Muslim world, Persian, and Persian literature from the University of Chicago. Her master’s thesis focused on the works of ‘Abdur Rahmān Jāmi’, particularly his epic poem, Yusuf o Zulaikha and its integration of Akbarian metaphysics.

Sumaiyya is currently continuing her studies in the traditional Islamic sciences. She currently lives with her husband, two sons and cat, and harbors a constant desire for travel and exploration. Andalus is one of her favorite destinations and will be providing academic support during this trip.

Cima Dairanieh brings over 20 years of expertise in operations, with a wealth of experience advising nonprofits through various stages of development and growth. Her own transformative journey to Andalusia was a life-changing milestone that deepened her belief in the power of travel as a catalyst for personal and spiritual growth.

Driven by this conviction, Cima is lending her support  to this initiative to inspire others to explore, learn, and grow. Throughout her career, she has been a steadfast advocate for supporting the advancement of Muslims across diverse sectors of the community, leaving a meaningful and lasting impact.

Currently based in Chicago, Cima resides with her husband and two children. She is also continuing her pursuit of traditional Islamic studies, reflecting her dedication to lifelong learning and spiritual enrichment.