The Young Seekers: Guiding Muslim Youth

Selim Kandil serves as the Educational Director at the Divan Center, where he leads educational and mentorship programs that promote intellectual growth, moral development, and spiritual awareness among youth and adults. His work emphasizes holistic education—integrating faith, service, and community engagement within a framework of character formation and lifelong learning.

Mr. Kandil holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Virginia, where he developed a strong foundation in analytical thinking and leadership. Combining his academic background with a deep interest in theology and moral philosophy, he has dedicated his career to fostering educational environments that inspire ethical reflection and social responsibility.

Deeply engaged in Risale-i Nur studies, Mr. Kandil focuses on exploring the intersection of faith, reason, and contemporary life. His mentorship approach draws on the teachings of Bediüzzaman Said Nursi and the educational philosophy of the Hizmet movement, encouraging students to integrate intellectual inquiry with spiritual growth and service to humanity.

Through his leadership at the Divan Center, Mr. Kandil continues to cultivate learning communities rooted in dialogue, reflection, and purpose—helping learners navigate modern challenges with wisdom, empathy, and moral clarity.

Serdar Kılıç is a teacher, student and university coordinator in Virginia. He teaches a variety of classes, from within the homeschool program and without. He studies many different fields, physics and philosophy in college and a variety of Islamic disciplines in private with renowned teachers and scholars. Amidst these engagements, he is also heavily involved with the coordination of university youth and high school mentoring in Virginia.

Nuray Tudes serves as the Youth Coordinator for Sky Academy at the CJCC location, where she oversees educational and mentorship programs designed to support the academic, emotional, and spiritual development of young learners across North America. Her work emphasizes holistic growth—bridging moral education, community engagement, and intellectual exploration.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studies with a concentration in Qur’an and Hadith from Hassan II University of Casablanca, where she also gained proficiency in Arabic, French, and Darija. Her undergraduate thesis focused on the journey of Khidr and Moses, examining its profound moral and metaphysical dimensions through the themes of truth, error, and divine wisdom.

Currently, Ms. Tudes is pursuing a Master’s in Education with a specialization in Advanced Teaching, where her graduate research explores student well-being, moral formation, and cross-cultural education. She is also a graduate of the Harvard Youth Psychology Program and the Boston College Counselor Development Program, with specialized training in youth mental health, emotional intelligence, and educational counseling.

In addition to her teaching and mentorship roles, Ms. Tudes has contributed to curriculum design and youth development projects inspired by the values of Hizmet, intercultural dialogue, and educational excellence. Her interdisciplinary background in theology, education, and psychology informs a learning philosophy that integrates faith, reflection, and character formation within the modern educational landscape.

Her ongoing work continues to focus on creating transformative learning environments where young people cultivate intellectual depth, ethical sensitivity, and a strong sense of purpose in an increasingly complex world.

Esat is a dedicated educator who bridges faith and learning in inspiring ways. After completing four years of Islamic education in Alabama, he devoted himself to mentoring homeschool and high school students, guiding them both academically and spiritually in a dormitory setting. Alongside his passion for teaching, he pursued degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics, and later shared his skills by teaching computer classes for over a year. Currently, Esat is in his second year as a full-time middle school math teacher at a charter school in the Miami area. His deep interest in Nubuwwet (Prophethood) reflects his commitment to helping young people understand the life, character, and mission of the prophets — and how their timeless values can illuminate the challenges of today’s world.

Our instructors are among the most knowledgeable and active youth in our community. Each of them spearheads the education and development of their local community’s students, coordinating and leading weekly programs. In addition to being actively engaged in teaching, they are motivated to show how the ideals and lessons taken from the Prophet’s life applies to our modern life and how the youth of our day can relate to those stories.

Ibrahim Anli is a civic entrepreneur with a career record that bridges nonprofit and academic experience. He has been serving as the executive director of Rumi Forumsince 2019.
Ibrahim was a visiting researcher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2007-08. He joined the Journalists and Writers Foundation’s (JWF) Ankara office as its diplomacy coordinator in 2010. He became the secretary general of Abant Platform, JWF’s Istanbul based forum of intellectuals, in 2013. Ibrahim was a full-time lecturerat the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy at Tishk International University in Erbil, Kurdistan in 2016-17.

Ibrahim has published a number of peer reviewed book chapters and articles. He holds a BA in Economics from Istanbul University, an MA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Sabanci University, and a certificate in Strategic Management for Leaders of NGOs from Harvard University. He is a member of Braver Angels Scholars Council and also serves on the board of Religion Communicators Council.

Course Name: Dialogue for Young Seekers

Course Description:

Week 1: Introduction to Interfaith Dialogue
Week 2: Exploring World Religions I
Week 3: Exploring World Religions II
Week 4: Interfaith Dialogue Skills
Week 5: Religion and Society
Week 6: Interfaith Service Project Planning
Week 7: Interfaith Service Project Execution
Week 8: Reflection and Moving Forward
Week 9-14: Guest Speakers

Dlovan Kareem is a graduate of the Faculty of Theology at Istanbul Fatih University, where he developed a strong foundation in Qur’anic sciences, Hadith, Islamic jurisprudence, and theology. He later earned a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Hartford Seminary—now known as Hartford International University for Religion and Peace—in Connecticut, USA.
Since relocating to the United States in 2017, Kareem has been deeply involved in Islamic education, teaching Seerah (the life of the Prophet Muhammad), Hadith, and Tafseer (Qur’anic interpretation) in homeschool and community settings. He holds an Ijazah (traditional certification) in Qur’an recitation, signifying both his mastery of Tajweed and his authorization to teach the Qur’an through an unbroken scholarly chain of transmission.
In addition to his academic and teaching background, Kareem has served as a dedicated volunteer in various educational and interfaith initiatives. For more than seven years, he has been a student and follower of Fethullah Gülen Hocaefendi, drawing inspiration from his emphasis on education, dialogue, and service to humanity. This mentorship has shaped Kareem’s approach to faith-based education, community engagement, and moral leadership.

Course Name: Hadith

Our instructors are among the most knowledgeable and active youth in our community. Each of them spearheads the education and development of their local community’s students, coordinating and leading weekly programs.

Course Name: Digital Guidance and Art