International Scholar
Dr. Tarek Elgawhary is a scholar of Islam and comparative religions, with an academic background that bridges the Western and classical Islamic traditions, having studied at both Princeton University and al-Azhar Seminary.
Throughout his career, he has taught courses in Legal Theory (Usul Al Fiqh) and Islamic Law (Fiqh), grounding his work in the classical Sunni interpretive tradition while remaining deeply attuned to the concerns of contemporary Muslim life.
He is the creator of the Making Sense of Islam platform, where he explores the intersections of Islam, mindfulness, and everyday living. His teachings span two tracks: the deep and systematic study of classical Islamic sciences, and practical courses designed to help people develop a more meaningful relationship with their faith and navigate the challenges of modern life.
Beyond teaching, Dr. Elgawhary is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the CEO and co-founder of Coexist Corp., a business enterprise stemming from the Coexist Foundation. He also serves as the resident scholar at the Islamic Community Center of Potomac (ICCP) in the United States.
He is the author of several works, including Rewriting Islamic Law, In Search of Mindfulness, and Invocations of the Siddiqiya-Shadhiliya Order. His writing reflects his broader mission, making the depth and wisdom of the Islamic tradition accessible, relevant, and alive for Muslim communities today.
Esteemed Scholar
Dr Ali Hussain is a musician, poet and has a doctoral degree in Islamic Studies from the University of Michigan, Department of Middle Eastern Studies. His research focuses on the image of Prophet Isa (as) in the writings of the Andalusian mystic Muhyi al-Din Ibn al-‘Arabi (qs).
Alongside this academic tract, Dr. Hussain has also studied classical Islam with various prominent Muslim scholars like . In 2013, he studied in Dar al-Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen with his eminence Habib Umar Bin Hafidh, where he studied Qur’an, Hadith and the science of Ihsan. Since 2015, he has also accompanied His Eminence Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Al-Qabbani, and learned from him various Islamic disciplines. His research interests include Islam and Sufism, art and creativity in Islam and the creative engagement that Sufi mystics have with Arabic through the mediation of the Quran.
Dr Ali Hussain was a lecturer in Classical and Qur’anic Arabic at the University of Michigan, and founder of the Adhwaq Centre for Spirituality, Culture and the Arts. He has authored several publications including, “Mystical Musings of a Contemporary Dervish”, “The Souk of Nostalgia: A Childhood Between Rivers and Mountains”, “The Art of Ibn ‘Arabi”, “Art in Memoirs: Setting Forth” and “Rumi and Gibran in Conversation”.
Event Speaker
Ustadh Syakir Pasuni is one of Singapore’s most respected religious figures, with over 18 years of experience spanning the faith-based sector and public service.
Currently serving as the Registrar of Muslim Marriages (ROMM), he has dedicated his career to strengthening the Muslim family unit and nurturing the spiritual well-being of the community. He previously served as Kadi and Deputy Registrar at ROMM, and as a Naib Kadi for nine years before that.
Among his most notable contributions is his role in conceptualising the Bersamamu (“With You”) programme — a flagship pre-marriage guidance initiative that has supported more than 36,000 Muslim couples in Singapore to date.
Beyond his institutional roles, Ustadh Syakir is a trusted voice in the community — known for his grounded, compassionate approach to Islamic guidance. He has served as Khatib and Imam at mosques across Singapore, and currently sits on the Fatwa Committee (2025–2028).
At Awakening Ihsan 3.0, Ustadh Syakir brings with him a deep understanding of the human heart — its struggles, its longings, and its capacity for stillness when anchored in faith.
Event Speaker
With a deep-rooted passion for Islamic education and digital engagement, Ustadha Syahidah Amir currently serves as the Principal at SimplyIslam, where she is committed to nurturing spiritually grounded and socially conscious Muslims.
Her experience spans teaching Qur’an and Fardhu ‘Ain at KAFA and an online Islamic school in London, as well as providing personalised tuition. She previously taught at SimplyIslam and served as Social Media Coordinator at Safinah Institute, and also contributed to national outreach efforts as a Social Media Strategist Intern at MUIS.
An alumna of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Ustadha Syahidah brings together academic grounding, grassroots experience, and a media-savvy approach to Islamic education.
Education Chief
Ustadh Muhammad Salleh al-Azhari is among SimplyIslam’s pioneer members, currently serving as its Education Chief, playing a pivotal role in the organisation’s educational and religious initiatives. He is a certified instructor recognised by both the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and the Asatizah Recognition Board (ARB), ensuring his adherence to the highest standards of Islamic education and scholarship.
Ustadh Muhammad Salleh completed his primary, secondary and pre-university education at Singapore’s prestigious Madrasah Aljunied, well-known for producing many of Singapore’s prominent Islamic scholars and leaders. He then continued his academic pursuit at Malaysia’s National University (UKM) where he gained a solid grounding in various disciplines, before furthering his studies at the esteemed Al-Azhar University in Egypt, one of the oldest and most respected institutions of Islamic learning in the world. His time at Al-Azhar provided him with deep insights into Islamic jurisprudence, theology, and the Arabic language.
Fluent in Arabic, Ustadh Muhammad Salleh has conducted numerous courses and translation projects, further showcasing his proficiency in the language. His ability to navigate complex Arabic texts and convey their meanings accurately to non-Arabic speakers has made him a valuable asset to the Islamic educational community. He teaches various subjects at SimplyIslam including Hadith, Aqidah, Prophetic Healing, Ruqyah, and others.