Sayyid Ali Imran
Educator | Curriculum & Pedagogy | Lecturer | Instructor
Bridging Islamic intellectual tradition with contemporary educational practice. I work with schools, organizations, and communities to design transformative learning environments rooted in knowledge, ethics, and purpose.
About Me
I am an educator and researcher working at the intersection of Islamic thought, pedagogy, and curriculum design. With formal training in both traditional seminary studies and modern educational theory, my work focuses on developing learning environments that are intellectually rigorous, spiritually grounded, and socially meaningful. My experience spans classroom teaching, school leadership, teacher training, and community programming. I am particularly interested in how educational systems can move beyond information delivery toward the cultivation of character, critical thinking, and a deep sense of purpose.
Across my work, I aim to answer a central question: How can education shape individuals who think deeply, act ethically, and contribute meaningfully to society?
Areas of Consultation
I offer consultation and advisory services in the following areas:
Philosophy of Education, Islamic Pedagogy & Curriculum Design: Developing frameworks rooted in Islamic intellectual traditions for contemporary application.
Teacher Training & Professional Development: Workshops and training sessions on pedagogy, classroom culture, and instructional design.
School Systems & Program Development: Structuring holistic educational models, assessment systems, and student development frameworks.
Youth Development & Community Programming: Designing workshops, retreats and initiatives that foster identity, purpose, and leadership.
Academic Writing, Translation & Research: Support with scholarly writing, translation (Arabic/Farsi/Urdu), and research development.
Experience & Background
Education
- Master’s in Education (Pedagogy & Curriculum) — University of Toronto, OISE, 2022-2025
- Advanced Seminary Studies (Equivalent to PhD) — Qom, 2012-2021
- Master’s in Islamic Studies – Distance Learning – Middlesex University, London, 2016-2018
- BSc Honours in Business (Specialization in Marketing) – York University, 2006-2010
Professional Roles
- School Principal and Faith Leader
- Teacher Trainer and Workshop Facilitator
Academic & Intellectual Work
- Research in Islamic pedagogy, curriculum theory, and philosophy of education
- Translation and analysis of classical and contemporary Islamic texts
- Development of educational frameworks integrating traditional and modern knowledge systems
Speaking & Conferences
- Presenter at local and international educational conferences
- Workshops for educators, school leaders, and community organizations
Presentations, Papers & Publications
Publications & Conference Presentations
- “Rethinking Distinction in Islamic Education”, Faith School Education Conference, 18th-19th April 2026. Hosted by The Council of European Jamaats (COEJ)
- “Beyond Islamic Studies: Rethinking Faith-Based Education from Worldview to Pedagogy”, Faith School Education Conference, 18th-19th April 2026. Hosted by The Council of European Jamaats (COEJ)
- Sayyid, A.I. (2025, Jun 22). “Mapping Islamic Education for Parents”, ICAIR’s Annual Conference 2025. https://www.youtube.com/live/-wmBU9nC7ZM?feature=shared
- Gerami, S. M. H., & Sayyid, A. I. (2024, May 16). “Chapter 9 Turbat al-Husayn: Development of a Tabarruk Ritual in Early Shiʿi Community”. In Shiʿi Materiality Beyond Karbala. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004691377_011 Sayyid, A.I. (2024, Apr 21).
- “Muslim Teachers’ Perceptions of Tarbiyah”, ICAIR’s Annual Conference 2024. https://www.youtube.com/live/KxNLdyN0M78?feature=shared&t=5956
- Sayyid, A.I. (2023, Aug 19). “Muslim Teachers’ Perceptions of Tarbiyah and its Implications on ‘Āfīyah”, 6th Annual Australian Islamic Schooling Conference (AAISC6) A Focus on Wellbeing – ‘Āfiyah. Minaret College – Springvale, Melbourne. https://www.unisa.edu.au/research/centrefor-islamic-thought-and-education/news-events/events/6th-annual-australian-islamic-schoolingconference/
I have written and published several hundred articles over the past decade, which include translation works from Arabic and Farsi to English, transcriptions of classes I attended in the seminary, several essays, as well as many reflections. They can all be accessed on Iqra Online: https://iqraonline.net/author/ali/
Professional Teacher Training Modules
- ITE (I): Theology for Educators. https://alhaadi.ca/ite-i-islamic-theology-for-muslim-educators/
- ITE (II): Holistic Teaching Philosophy. https://alhaadi.ca/ite-ii-towards-a-holistic-teaching-philosophy/
- ITE (III): Logic for Educators. https://alhaadi.ca/ite-iii-logic-for-educators/
- LAW (I): Music in Islamic Law, Culture & Society. https://iqraonline.net/courses/music-in-islamic-law-culture-society/
- LAW (II): Gender Interactions – A Guide for Muslim Educators. https://alhaadi.ca/law-ii-gender-interactions-a-guide-for-muslim-educators/
- PBC (I): Professional Book Club for Muslim Educators | A Young Muslim’s Guide to the Modern World, by Seyyed Hossein Nasr. https://alhaadi.ca/professional-book-club-a-young-muslims-guide-modern-world-hossein-nasr/
