Our Board of Directors
IDRIS TROTMAN
Idris Trotman, a retired New Haven Public Schools administrator and educator, brings over 40 years of dedication and expertise to our board. His multifaceted career has included guiding young minds in pre-K and influencing postgraduate academia. Among his many accomplishments, Idris was honored as the New Haven Community Foundation's Teacher of the Year. He also spearheaded the development of policies in New Haven designed to enhance positive home-school relationships—a testament to his deep commitment to collaboration and community building.
A lifelong learner, Idris also studied at Jamiyyah Abu Nur in Damascus, Syria, deepening his understanding of Islamic teachings and Quranic scholarship. His diverse background enables him to provide unique insights into curriculum development and education.
By Allah's Mercy, he is currently leading our Strategic Planning and Education Committee. His wisdom and vision are invaluable as we continue to inspire, nurture, and educate the next generation.
Mustapha Abdush-Shakur
Mustapha Abdush-Shakur is committed to uplifting individuals and communities. For 26 years, Mustapha worked at Youth Continuum in New Haven, CT. Beginning as a Resident Advisor and later transitioning to the role of Case Manager, he helped young people who, due to challenging circumstances, could not live in their home environments. Mustapha’s empathetic guidance helped the young people at Youth Continuum find stability and hope in difficult circumstances. Mustapha was dedicated to the upliftment of the community in New Haven and he played a vital role in establishing Masjid Al-Islam in New Haven, CT. After moving to Memphis, Mustapha brought that same sense of purpose to the board of Miraaj Academy, where his unwavering dedication to service and community enrichment continues to drive positive change.
Maryam Sorrells
With over 30 years in education and leadership, Maryam Sorrells is a driving force at Miraaj Academy. Since becoming a board member in 2023 and joining the education committee, she has brought unparalleled expertise in strategic planning, curriculum development, and teacher assessment. Her experience spans roles as a school administrator, assistant principal, educator, and university adjunct professor. She is currently serving as Principal of the New Haven Islamic Center School, Assistant Director of the NICE Center in Orange, CT, and supervisor of student teaching at Southern Connecticut State University where she instructs and mentors aspiring teachers. Maryam works tirelessly to uplift the community in education and has published two books; Man Made Biblical Errors and Transformation Through Brokenness.
SIRAJ MUHAMMAD
A lifelong advocate for community development and Islamic education, Siraj Muhammad brings over 23 years of experience in public service to our board. Siraj spent his career serving in various departments in the Town of Hamden, where he achieved notable contributions as Acting Director of Community Services. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Siraj established the first Hifz program in New Haven, CT. As a Miraaj Board Member, Siraj’s passion lies in empowering younger generations through sound Islamic education, beginning with developing a deep connection to the Qur’an. Retired and living in Morocco, he connects our students with centuries of Islamic scholarship to help them develop a deeper understanding of the relevance of Quran in their daily lives.
TAHIRA ABDUL-MALIK
Tahira Abdul-Malik brings over 30 years of leadership experience in data management, analytics, and digital transformation. Serving institutions like Yale Law School, Yale New Health Systems, and significant financial organizations, Tahira has led strategic enterprise data initiatives. She holds two U.S. patents for her contributions to AI-driven data management processes.
Tahira’s commitment to serving the community has guided her efforts to help establish mosques and Dawah programs in Ohio, NJ, and CT. She has served on numerous nonprofit boards, supporting causes like prison outreach, community development, leadership development, food insecurity, STEM mentoring, and education. At Miraaj Academy, Tahira plays a pivotal role in fostering leadership development, operational excellence, service-learning project management, and student professional readiness.
