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27 October 2026 / 15. Jamaad-Ul-Awwal 1448

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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

MCE: Progress report August 2016

The Madrasah Centre of Excellence is making great strides in both curriculum and teacher development. Read an update on both projects and find out about an opportunity to join the team

HED Program – I Hear, You Listen? Enabling Effective Communication with the Deaf Community.

A summary written by Ammaar Habib Hussein, a student of the Higher Education Department (‘HED’) class at SI Madressa, Stanmore.

MCE Teacher Skills Programme Report from Jan to Dec 2015

The overall goal of this development programme is to increase the skills of teachers, and to shift their attitudes and behaviours so that they may be better able to support the learning of the students in the Madrasah.