Ammar Shahin

Shaykh Ammar Shahin is a respected Islamic scholar, educator, and community leader, currently serving as the Imam of the Islamic Center of Davis in California. Born in Cairo, Egypt, he began his Islamic education under the guidance of his father, the sheikh of their village. By the age of twelve, he had memorized the Qur’an in various modes of recitation. He pursued formal Islamic studies at the Institute for Preparation of Preachers, earning a diploma in Islamic studies, and furthered his education at Al-Forqan Institute. After relocating to the United States in 1999, he obtained a B.S. in Computer Engineering. He continued his Islamic education, earning a B.A. from Al-Azhar University in Islamic Sciences and Arabic Language, and both a B.A. and M.A. in Islamic Studies from the Islamic University of Minnesota. He is also a Ph.D. candidate at the Islamic University of Malaysia. Throughout his academic journey, Shaykh Shahin studied under renowned scholars, receiving ijazaat (licenses) in various Islamic sciences, including the six major books of Hadith, Fiqh, Tafsir, and multiple modes of Qur’anic recitation. His studies encompassed the Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali schools of thought. Beyond his role at the Islamic Center of Davis, Shaykh Shahin is an instructor at Zidni Islamic Institute, where he leads educational workshops and seminars on topics such as Ruqyah, Dream Interpretation, and Hijama. He also leads Hajj and Umrah groups annually, providing spiritual guidance to pilgrims. Shaykh Shahin is dedicated to making Islamic knowledge accessible and relevant, emphasizing the importance of understanding and practicing the faith in contemporary contexts. His commitment to education and community engagement continues to inspire Muslims across the United States and beyond.