Our Team

Muʿallimah Faa-izah Appollis began her Qurʾānic journey at Madrasah Fāṭima Taz-Zahrā (2010–2012), completing three years of the ʿĀlimah course under Moulānā Dāwood Sampson. She went on to complete her ḥifẓ at Maʿhad al-Furqān in 2016 under Ḥāfiẓ Riḍwān Rhoda; and she also received ijāzah in Tuḥfat al-Aṭfāl.

From 2019 to 2024, she taught at various institutions, including Jam eyyatul Qurraa, Fatima Taz-Zahra, and Darul Amān Institute. In 2023, she began her studies in Qurʾānic Sciences at Alif Academy, where she is completing Level 2 and reading her ḥafṣ khatm to Muʿallimah Kauthar Brenner. She later joined Qirā'āt al Qur'an for further recitation studies. 

Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree, Muʿallimah Faa-izah serves as Head of the part-time Ḥifẓ Department at Alif Academy. She teaches online students from around the world; ranging from young girls to women in their 60s; with a personalized and compassionate approach. Her programs include tajwīd refinement, selected sūrah memorization, and full ḥifẓ, all designed to nurture consistency, sincerity, and a lifelong connection with the Qurʾān.

Muʿallimah Juwayriyyah began her Qurʾanic journey under the guidance of her mother, Muʿallimah ʿĀishah Ṣiddīqah Slarmie, from whom she completed her first khatm. She continued her ḥifẓ under Muʿallimah ʿĀishah Ceres and completed her memorisation in 2006.

She later revised her ḥifẓ and received sanad and ijāzah in the narration of Ḥafṣ ʿan ʿĀṣim via the Rauḍah of Muʿaddil from Shaykh Ighsaan Abrahams. She also read a collective khatm to Shaykh ʿAbd Allāh ibn Ṣāliḥ ibn Muḥammad ʿUbayd in the narration of Ḥafṣ via the Shāṭibiyyah, the Rauḍah and the Miṣbāḥ.

She further qualified in the readings of ʿĀṣim and Ibn ʿĀmir under the guidance of Shaykh Abdullah Peterson at al-Tanzil Institute.

Muʿallimah Juwayriyyah has also spent time studying at Dār al-Naʿeem and at Madrasah Mueinul Islam (Girls’ Dār al-ʿUlūm). Throughout her studies, she has remained deeply committed not only to preserving the Qurʾān, but to embodying its character.

With years of experience teaching Qurʾān in both full-time and part-time settings, she brings a gentle, sincere, and encouraging approach to her students.

Muʿallimah Kauthar Brenner, from Cape Town, South Africa, began her journey with the Qurʾān at a young age. She learned the fundamentals of tajwīd at her local masjid, and at the age of sixteen (2015), she embarked on her full-time ḥifẓ studies.

After completing her memorization of the Qurʾān at Dār Ahlil Qurʾān under the guidance of Muʿallimah Maahirah Abdulrazaak, she went on to read to Shaykh Ighsaan Abrahams, from whom she received sanad and ijāzah in the riwāyah of Ḥafṣ, and later completed a khatm in the riwāyah of Sūsī (2019).

In 2021, she undertook a bridging course in qirāʾāt with Shaykh Munowar Harneker, and the following year began her sabaʿah qirāʾāt studies under the tutelage of Moulana Mustaqeem Paulse.

Her passion for the Arabic language led her to study with her beloved teacher Shaykhah Rukayya Samsodien, founder of Baseerah Institute in Cape Town. Alongside her Qurʾānic pursuits, she is currently furthering her tajwīd studies and teaching part-time with Muʿallimah Gadija Bester at Alif Academy.

Beyond her Qurʾānic and Arabic studies, Muʿallimah Kauthar also explores traditional Chinese-Arabic calligraphy through the Deen Arts Foundation, reflecting her love for the beauty and depth of the Qurʾānic tradition in all its forms.

Muʿallimah Kulthoom Davids is a graduate of Darun Na’eem, where her journey in Islamic studies began. She has taught Ḥifẓ both part-time and full-time for over ten years, guiding students with steadiness, clarity, and sincere care.

Her path in qirāʾāt has been shaped through years of dedicated study under respected teachers. She completed the Riwāyah of Shuʿbah under Shaykh Aburahmaan Davids, and the Qirāʾah of ʿĀṣim under the supervision of her father, Shaykh Ihsaan Davids, whose mentorship formed the foundation of her sanad and precision in recitation. She further enriched her studies under Qārī Saleem Gaibie and Shaykh Munowar Harneker, deepening her understanding of tajwīd and the traditional methods of Qurʾānic transmission.

She completed her Arabic studies at the Fajr Arabic Center in Cairo, Egypt, and is currently reading for Aṣḥāb al-Ṣilah under Shaykha Hiba al-Deen, with whom she also completed the Riwāyah of Warsh. She continues her advanced qirāʾāt studies at the Al-Azhar Institute for Qirāʾāt in Egypt, and is currently reading the seven qirāʾāt with Muʿallimah Gadija Bester.

Muʿallimah Kulthoom is both a student and teacher at Al-Tanzil, and serves as one of the Qirāʾāt teachers at Alif Academy.

Her passion lies in reviving the Prophetic tradition of recitation and preserving the sacred chain of transmission;  a legacy carried heart-to-heart and voice-to-voice through generations.

Muʿallimah Mariam Khan completed a four-year ʿĀlimah program at Madrasah tul Munthireen under the guidance of Moulana Yazeed Jabaar, followed by two additional years at the same institute, where she completed her ḥifẓ under Muʿallimah Saabirah Jacobs.

She currently serves as a full-time ḥifẓ teacher at Dar Tayyibah al-Nashr and is both a teacher and student at At-Tanzīl.

Muʿallimah Mariam has a particular interest in tajwīd poetry, having taught texts such as Tuḥfat al-Aṭfāl and Al-Fawāʾid al-Mukkiyyah. She is currently completing the Ṭuruq of Ḥafṣ, while continuing tajwīd and qirāʾāt studies under Shaykh Ighsaan Davids and at al-Tanzil Institute. 

Muʿallimah Nazreen has devoted the past several years to her Qurʾānic studies at Al-Tanzil, under the guidance of Muʿallimah Gadija Bester and Qārī Saleem Gaibie, through whom she developed a strong foundation in tajwīd and a deep, steady relationship with the Qurʾān.

She is currently pursuing her studies in the qirāʾāt, and has been blessed to learn under esteemed teachers, including Muʿallimah Siddeeqah Ahmed, Muʿallimah Kulthoom Davids, Muʿallimah Juwayriyyah Slarmie Solomon and Shaykh Munowar Harneker.

In addition to her Qurʾānic studies, Muʿallimah Nazreen completed a four-year diploma program at Zaynub Institute, which provided an in-depth study of Qurʾān tafsīr, ḥadīth, fiqh, Arabic grammar, as well as spirituality and personal development.

Her presence at Alif Academy is a blessing, and her commitment to both learning and teaching continues to inspire a deep reverence for the Qurʾān in all those around her. 

Muʿallimah Zainab Khan completed her ʿĀlimah studies at Madrasatu Banaatil Islām  (Girls’ Dār al-ʿUlūm) in Port Elizabeth, where she now serves as a teacher while continuing her own Qurʾānic studies.

After completing her ḥifẓ, she received practical tajwīd training under the continuous guidance of Muʿallimah Naziera Ackerdien, with whom she continues to study and refine her recitation.

Her passion for Qurʾānic precision led her to pursue further studies in Tajwīd, Rasm, and Dhabt under Ustādhah Saaima Yacoob. She continues to deepen her understanding of the theory and application of Tajwīd under Ustādh Munowar Harneker, and is currently advancing in the qirāʾāt under the guidance of Muʿallimah Gadija Bester and Muʿallimah Kulthoom Davids.

Her dedication to continual learning and teaching reflects a sincere love for the Qurʾān and its preservation, both in mastery and in spirit.

Muʿallimah Gadija is the founder of Alif Academy and is responsible for overseeing aspects of the administration, in addition to teaching at the academy. She is also both a student and a teacher at Al-Tanzil Institute, where she focuses on deepening her knowledge of the Qurʾān. Muʿallimah Gadija has completed the ten qirāʾāt and is currently pursuing further studies in that field. Muallima Gadija's educational Islamic background include Aalimiyyah studies at Madrassah Muʿeinul Islam in Johannesburg, she is also a teacher at DUAI Ināth and student of Mu’allimah Wardah Mohammad. Students can benefit greatly from her guidance and instruction as they embark on their Qurʾanic learning journey.

Mu'allimah Maryam oversees the administration of Alif Academy while also being a dedicated student of the institution. Her commitment to both roles reflects her passion for Qurʾanic education and her dedication to fostering a nurturing learning environment. As an integral part of the academy's leadership, Mu’allimah Maryam plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of the institution and the success of its students. Her dual role as an administrator and a student exemplifies her deep-rooted commitment to Qurʾanic studies and her desire to contribute to the growth and development of Alif Academy.