Translate this page

English Arabic French German Greek Swahili Turkish

23 April 2026 / 6. Zil-Qad 1447

Publications

IRE -

Islamic Religious Education


Introducing our new Head of Madrasah Centre of Excellence
The President of The World Federation, Alhaj Safder Bhai Jaffer, would like to congratulate Sister Zulekha Hirji on her new role as Head of Madrasah Centre of Excellence (MCE).

"It gives me great pleasure to introduce our new head of MCE, Zulekha Hirji who will be succeeding our longest standing member of MCE Naushad Mehrali. 

Naushad Mehrali has shown great passion and dedication to the MCE department. He has grown the department successfully and was able to expedite many important programmes earlier due to the pandemic.

We are thankful for Naushad Bhai who will be around for a smooth transition and advisory capacity upon Sister Zulekha Hirji joining in September."

-Al-Haj Safder Jaffer, President of The World Federation

Zulekha Hirji has been working in education for the past 16 years, and her passion lies in working with others and being a part of a movement that ensures that children around the world have the opportunity to access the highest quality Islamic education that allows them to fulfil their full potential.
 
Zulekha has a BA Hons in Accounting and Masters in Education from the Institute of Education, UCL.  Over the course of her career, as well as with Madressa and voluntary outreach work Zulekha has worked with children of all ages in Dubai and London. 
 
Along with the team, Zulekha intends to make MCE synonymous with Shia Islamic Education around the world so that students, teachers and their families embark on a learning journey together for the holistic development for our community as a whole.

Naushad Mehrali  Al Nur Award
(Award for Length of Service to the Community or Humanity)

The nurturing of upcoming generations has always been an uppermost priority of The World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Community. Your decades of exemplary commitment as an educator of our young resonates as your remarkable lifelong passion.
 
Rightfully, when the Madrasah Centre of Excellence (MCE) concept was in its embryonic phase, it was your steady hand that delivered and nurtured it in its formative years over the last decade.
 
Your unassuming yet determined mindset subsequently helped make the MCE a formidable force in addressing contemporary challenges of our madaris around the globe.
 
Murabbi Naushad Bhai, by way of this award, The World Federation appreciates your immense contribution to the lasting legacy of an innovative, robust and sustainable way forward towards the Tarbiyah of our future generations.

Related News

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

"Stepping foot into a new country, a new culture, without the guidance of my parents would have been a scary experience, had we not been welcomed into the open arms of our mentors. Being a part of the Madinah and Bab al Ilm family I had the time of my life. I can never do the course justice in explaining my experiences but I'll try. Being on this course in Iran felt like a home away from home, I rarely missed my family as our exciting schedule kept us busy. From climbing Mount Khizr, to our early morning twilight sessions, the course always had us on our feet and moving.

MCE conducts Draft Curriculum Framework Consultation in Toronto

The Curriculum Development team of the Madrasah Centre of Excellence (MCE), in conjunction with the Centre of Islamic Learning (CIL), NASIMCO, held a consultation workshop on the Draft Curriculum Framework for Madrasah.

MCE meets the Madrasah teachers in Africa

Whilst attending the triennial conference in Dar es Salaam, Al-Haj Naushad Mehrali, the Head of Madrasah Centre of Excellence (MCE), took the opportunity to visit other places in East Africa to update the Madrasah management and teachers on MCE’s activities and to engage with them.