The Dean

Shaykh Dr. Moaaz Safwat Salem is the Dean at Dar al-Burhan Academy for Quran Studies in the city of Vaughan, Canada. The Shaykh is a world-renowned teacher and scholar of the Ten Major Qira’āt by way of Tayyibat al-Nashr, and the Ten Minor Qira’āt by the way of Al-Shatibiyyah and Al-Dorrah. As the Dean of the academy, Shaykh Moaaz holds the faculty and its students to the highest expectations, conducts regular progress monitoring, adjusts teaching approaches as needed, and empowers students to take ownership of their journey in Quran recitation and memorization.
Shaykh Moaaz memorized the Jazariya with an Ijaza before reaching the age of four years old at the hands of the renowned Muqri Shaykh Ayman Suwayd. His journey in memorization continued with his father Shaykh Safwat Mahmoud Salem, until he completed it at the age of thirteen in the Sacred Precinct of Makkah. He furthered his studies by meeting with and studying at the feet of various scholars from across the globe, receiving Ijazat from some of the most credible sources. By the age of seventeen, Shaykh Moaaz was teaching advanced students and holding large classes in Quran recitation and Tajweed, in addition to attaining several teaching licenses from leading scholars in Quran and Hadith.
Shaykh Moaaz went on to complete a PhD in Qur’anic Recitations from the Department of Qira’āt in the Faculty of Da’wah and Usul Al-Dīn at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah. He also served as a Lecturer at Imam Al-Shatibi Institute from 2006 to 2016 in different departments. Shaykh Moaaz is a Member of the Curriculum Committee for Tafsir and Quranic Sciences Diploma and has hosted several televised programs on the history of the Quran and recitation.
Shaykh Moaaz memorized the Jazariya with an Ijaza before reaching the age of four years old at the hands of the renowned Muqri Shaykh Ayman Suwayd. His journey in memorization continued with his father Shaykh Safwat Mahmoud Salem, until he completed it at the age of thirteen in the Sacred Precinct of Makkah. He furthered his studies by meeting with and studying at the feet of various scholars from across the globe, receiving Ijazat from some of the most credible sources. By the age of seventeen, Shaykh Moaaz was teaching advanced students and holding large classes in Quran recitation and Tajweed, in addition to attaining several teaching licenses from leading scholars in Quran and Hadith.
Shaykh Moaaz went on to complete a PhD in Qur’anic Recitations from the Department of Qira’āt in the Faculty of Da’wah and Usul Al-Dīn at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah. He also served as a Lecturer at Imam Al-Shatibi Institute from 2006 to 2016 in different departments. Shaykh Moaaz is a Member of the Curriculum Committee for Tafsir and Quranic Sciences Diploma and has hosted several televised programs on the history of the Quran and recitation.
The Lead Instructor

Shaykh Ahmed Al-Suwaid is the Lead Instructor at Dar al-Burhan Academy for Quran Studies in the city of Vaughan, Canada. His gentle demeanour and serious approach to teaching the Quran engenders in his students; respect, love and reverence for the Book of Allah ﷻ.
Shaykh Ahmed's journey with the Quran began in the blessed city of Makkah where he was born and raised. Upon completing his memorization of the Quran, he was tasked with leading the Taraweeh prayers in various mosques throughout the holy city at only eleven years of age. From 1998 to 2012, Shaykh Ahmed was trained in the Sacred Precinct of Makkah under the tutelage of distinguished teachers and scholars, and completed the study of various classical texts in Tajweed, Tafseer (Quranic exegesis), and the Seven Readings of the Quran.
Shaykh Ahmed has received authorizations to teach and impart the Holy Quran from several prominent teachers, including Shaykh Dr. Hamid Al-Ansari, and has extensive teaching experience in various institutions throughout the Arabian peninsula, Jordan and Canada. Shaykh Ahmed possesses a Bachelors of Economics with a minor in Islamic Finance from Ummul Qura University with honours, and a Bachelors of Islamic Law (Shariah) with honours, from Darul Hadith Khayriyah College, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Shaykh Ahmed's journey with the Quran began in the blessed city of Makkah where he was born and raised. Upon completing his memorization of the Quran, he was tasked with leading the Taraweeh prayers in various mosques throughout the holy city at only eleven years of age. From 1998 to 2012, Shaykh Ahmed was trained in the Sacred Precinct of Makkah under the tutelage of distinguished teachers and scholars, and completed the study of various classical texts in Tajweed, Tafseer (Quranic exegesis), and the Seven Readings of the Quran.
Shaykh Ahmed has received authorizations to teach and impart the Holy Quran from several prominent teachers, including Shaykh Dr. Hamid Al-Ansari, and has extensive teaching experience in various institutions throughout the Arabian peninsula, Jordan and Canada. Shaykh Ahmed possesses a Bachelors of Economics with a minor in Islamic Finance from Ummul Qura University with honours, and a Bachelors of Islamic Law (Shariah) with honours, from Darul Hadith Khayriyah College, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Faculty
Dar al-Burhan was founded and designed by a conglomerate of local Muslim students, educators and leaders:
Administrative Body
The administrative body comprised of Sh. Ramzy Ajem and Syed Mubeen Alam, brings together over 60 years of combined experience in education, teacher training, pedagogy, curriculum development, and institutional management.
Dr. Moaaz Safwat, Dean
Shaykh Dr. Moaaz Safwat Mahmoud Ahmed Salem is a world-renowned teacher and scholar of the highest calibre in Quran Studies. His role as Dean at the academy ensures that the faculty maintains the highest standards when teaching the Quran and imparting its character.
Qari Misbah, Supervisor & Program Developer
An Imam, Hafiz and first-class reciter of the Quran who has a unique Prophetic Authorization (Ijaza), and is highly skilled in monitoring, documenting and ensuring the program is meeting set benchmarks.
Hafiz Humza, Guidance Counsellor & Program Developer
A recent university graduate in psychology and neuroscience who memorized the entire Quran locally with the Ijaza, and is known in Quran circles for his adeptness in mentoring new students.
Hafiz Rizwan, Program Developer
A project manager by profession and father who had memorized the entire Quran with the Ijaza while a teen.
Hafiz Yahya, Program Developer
A university student who has recently completed his memorization of the Quran locally, and has an intimate understanding of the arduous journey.
Each member of this team brings with him the unique inspirations of distinguished contemporary Quran masters from within North America, the UK, North Africa, Damascus and the Hijaz (in particular Jeddah and Mecca).
Need is the mother of all invention, and our team understands the need Muslim families have for excellent institutions that can address a new generation of Muslim boys in the discipline of Quran memorization.
With Allah's permission and aid, we have come together to develop premium academy for the study of the Quran that prides itself on excellence in pedagogy, educational resources and character development.
Need is the mother of all invention, and our team understands the need Muslim families have for excellent institutions that can address a new generation of Muslim boys in the discipline of Quran memorization.
With Allah's permission and aid, we have come together to develop premium academy for the study of the Quran that prides itself on excellence in pedagogy, educational resources and character development.