Kaltun KaraniKaltun is the founder and of Hikma Academy where she teaches her students the meaning of the Quran and other Islamic sciences in a way that is relevant to their lives.  Her dream is to equip her students with the knowledge and understanding of Islam that will help them be mindful of Allah, intentional in their living and contributing members of society.

Kaltun is a Somali-American, born and raised in the UAE and immigrated to the USA in 1995, along with her family, at the age of 13.  She’s fluent in Somali, Arabic and English.  She’s happily married, has two children, and she loves caring for her aging mother.  She enjoys people, learning, teaching, swimming, traveling, and solitude in nature.

Professional Bio: Kaltun Karani is the founder of Hikma Academy and a teacher of tafseer. She has over ten years of experience working with youth and women in the community as a teacher and mentor in spiritual and personal development, and has worked as an early childhood coach supporting teachers in quality interactions with children. She has bachelors degrees in marketing from The Ohio State University and in Islamic studies from AlMaghrib Institute, and is currently pursuing a master of education in counseling. A wife, mother, and daughter, Kaltun is a student of hifdh and she enjoys reading, writing, swimming, and connecting with friends and family.

Safiya Hashi is a dedicated student and teacher of Quran and Islamic Studies.  She’s a passionate teacher and coach of teen girls, helping them build confidence in their Islamic identity while creating sisterhood.  Safiya believes that young girls need to not only be reciting the Quran, but also understanding, reflecting, asking questions and having discussions about the Quran to fully appreciate it.  She is committed to create an environment that is fun where these meaningful discussions can take place in a comfortable setting while challenging them to think and apply what their purpose is.

Safiya is the youngest of 8 sisters and 2 brothers.  The love of the Quran was instilled in her and her siblings by their late father, rahimahu Allah, who raised them with the Quran as their number one priority.  Safiya completed her Quran memorization in 2009 in Missouri and she continues to review with her teacher.  She has been an avid student of Islamic education and while pursuing her degree in Elementary Education. In her free time, Safiya loves to read and volunteer for a good cause.