Quran Reading and Memorization
Site Design by
Khalid Sattar
AIA - Frankfort
Saima Mozaffar – Lead Teacher
Saima Ashraf Mozaffar is a certified teacher with a degree in Early Childhood Education from Governors State University. She also has a Bachelor's degree in English Literature from St. Joseph's College, Karachi, Pakistan. As a Mom, her highest priority has been the upbringing of her three children, ages 13, 10 and 8. In addition, Saima also runs a home-based company called "Zikr Inspirations". She creates oil paintings and other works of art incorporating "dua’as" from Qur’an and Sunnah. On Sundays, she teaches Weekend Islamic School at the American Islamic School in Frankfort. She also enjoys doing interfaith work in the South West Suburbs. This will be the second year for her teaching Camp Busy Bees at Frankfort, Insha’Allah, and she is very excited to be part of the program again. The goals and structure of the CBB curriculum appeal to her greatly. She is looking forward to imparting Islamic knowledge to students in fun and creative ways, Insha’Allah.
Saadia Ahmad
Saadia Ahmad is a teacher at the AIA Masjid in Frankfort, Illinois. She just graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics and plans to begin her Master of Science in Nutrition in August Insha'Allah. Although Saadia has been a Sunday School teacher in previous years, this is her first year teaching for Camp Busy Bees. Over the course of the camp, she looks forward to putting her time and efforts into making a difference in the lives of young Muslims and spreading knowledge about Islam.
Jamila Yusuf
Jamila Yusuf is a revert to Islam 13 years ago and a mom of 4 girls. She has a BA in Sociology and some coursework towards her Master’s in Social Work at UIC. She has experience working with adults and children with mental illness. Currently, she is a stay-at-home mom and is an active Islamic worker for ICNA, mentoring new Muslim sisters and participating in dawah activities.
Samana Siddiqui
Samana Siddiqui is currently a full-time mom of three children, ages 7 and under. She also writes for the website of the Sound Vision Foundation and the Chicago Crescent newspaper. A native of Canada, Samana taught a Halaqa for young Muslim women there for five years before moving to Chicago over eight years ago. She has a degree in Journalism from Concordia University in Canada.
MSI – Glendale Heights
Nosheen Cassim – Lead Teacher
Nosheen Cassim is the lead teacher for Camp Busy Bees at MSI. She loves to be around kids, and as a mother and teacher, she always feels like she can learn from kids as much as they learn from her. Her experience at Camp Busy Bees has taught her how fulfilling these BEE-autiful relationships with campers and volunteers are. It is her honor to be part of the Camp Busy Bees family. Masha’Allah, this will be her 3rd year at Camp, and she is very excited about reconnecting with her busy bees from previous years, as well as developing new bonds and friendships with the new bees!
Quarashia Al-Shehab
Quarashia Al-Shehab enjoys teaching and loves being around kids. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and is a certified Montessori teacher for Early Childhood. Some of her hobbies include reading and making materials for children so as to accommodate better teaching methods. She has been teaching for three years, and thinks teaching at Camp Busy Bees will provide her with a good opportunity to help her community and get closer to Allah (swt) as well, insha’Allah.
Aliya Hoda
Aliya Hoda graduated from the University of Illinois-Chicago with a degree in the Teaching of English. She now teaches middle school Reading and Language arts at Islamic Foundation School in Villa Park. She has also spent time being a writing tutor as well as learning Arabic and French. Her hobbies include baking, sewing, calligraphy, and enjoying the great outdoors.
ICC of Des Plaines - Des Plaines
Fatima Alvi – Lead Teacher
Fatima Alvi is the lead teacher at Des Plaines Potter Masjid. She is currently studying Early Childhood Education (birth-3rd grade). In the future she hopes to teach Insha’Allah. In her prior years (2005, 2007, & 2008) volunteering for Camp Busy Bees, Fatima has had wonderful experiences. Each summer, she is able to utilize skills to facilitate in the Islamic learning of young girls. During this time, she is also able to develop great bonds with fellow volunteers. Every summer’s theme brings a new opportunity for her to invest her time and energy, and Masha’Allah it has always been a pleasure for her to be a part of Camp Busy Bees.
Afeefa AliKhan
Afeefa AliKhan is a second year college student at Northeastern Illinois University. She is planning to pursue a double major in Secondary Education and English. She has also been a teacher's assistant for four years at MCC Sunday School. This year, insha’Allah, will be her second year teaching Qur’an Reading and Memorization at Camp Busy Bees. Being a part of Camp has allowed her to further her teaching experience, as well as develop bonds with the girls each summer as they learn many new Surahs of the Qur’an. She is looking forward to another great summer at Camp!
Nishath AliKhan
Nishath AliKhan is a recent graduate of Northeastern University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and endorsements in English and Social Studies. She has also completed a minor in Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Last year was her first year participating in Camp Busy Bees as a volunteer, and she is very excited to be able to participate again this year as a teacher! Now that Nishath is a certified teacher, she can not wait to start teaching!
Masjid-al-Huda - Schaumburg
Safa Qadeer - Lead Teacher
Safa Qadeer has been teaching at Camp Busy Bees for three years. She attends the University of Illinois at Chicago and is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Insha'Allah, she also plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Pharmacy. In her free time, she likes to read books and do puzzles. She loves returning to CBB every year just to see her old students and know that she, as well as all the other teachers and volunteers, are doing something in the path of Allah(swt). It is truly a rewarding experience.
Syeda Hussain
Syeda Hussain has been teaching at Camp Busy Bees for four years. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, specifically in the teaching of Mathematics. Today, Masha’Allah she is a Math teacher at Von Steuben High School. One of Syeda’s main hobbies is gardening. She continues to return to CBB every year because of the wonderful environment, where all the kids love to see what you have in store for them each day. Most of all, Syeda loves to teach children knowledge in fun and creative ways so that they will remember that learning is a fun, as well as educational, experience.
Sammer Zehra
Sammer Zehra grew up in Karachi, New York, and Mississippi. She recently moved to Chicago. She has a BA in English Education and is passionate about literature. She also loves swings, cats, chai and swimming.
ISNS - Rolling Meadows
Aisha Mohiuddin – Lead Teacher
Aisha Mohiuddin has a great passion for working with youth, Masha’Allah. Teaching is not only her profession; it is what she loves to do! Personally, she believes that teaching does not end in the classroom. She has experience working in both the Chicago Public Schools and Islamic Schools as well. In addition, she believes that it is absolutely necessary for all to participate in community service regularly. Therefore, Aisha volunteers during the weekends in the city (Chicago). It is an eye-opening and humbling experience for her every time! She is truly looking forward to the Camp Busy Bees program and working with these beautiful muslimahs. She has no doubt that when it is over, she will have learned/gained much from the experience.
Shaista Ali
Shabana Qazi
Shabana Qazi is an experienced Camp Busy Bees teacher and mother of four. She has been teaching for the last five years at ISNS Sunday school. She loves kids and her hobbies include baking and crafts.
CAMP
BUSY BEES
PO Box 597104
Chicago, IL 60659-7104
(630) 935-9375
