Shaykh Hassan Ali Cisse
Founder andChairman

OUR MISSION

The African American Islamic Institute is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) headquartered in Kaolack, Senegal and functioning in Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Benin, and the United States of America. As an Institute of Nasrul Ilm, i.e., Helping Knowledge, guidelines for the Institute’s activities are provided by the teachings of Islam: feed the hungry, care for the sick, protect the interests of women and children, teach the unlettered, pursue knowledge, and foster greater understanding and peace among mankind. By generating a deeper understanding of Islam in the way of Shaykh Hassan Cisse, Founder and Chairman, the Institute strives to inspire humanity to fulfill its purpose on earth, which is to worship Allah and to build bridges of understanding, compassion and respect among “the nations and tribes” Allah created “to know one another”.

OUR PROGRAM

The Institute’s objective, under the direction and guidance of Shaykh Hassan Cisse, it’s Founder and Chairman, is to develop a capability for sustainable human and natural resource development through education (both religious and secular), agricultural development, health care, economic development, and cultural exchange. By initiating farm projects, the Institute fosters dignity through work, and peace through the eradication of poverty, by enabling people to develop the capability to feed themselves, their families and their communities; by providing health care, the Institute improves the quality of life for thousands of children and adults, leaving a legacy of health and well being to future generations; by exploring international commerce and trade, the Institute develops economic opportunity and development strategies; by teaching children and adults to read and to study Qur`an and Hadith, the Institute promotes literacy and offers future generations a legacy of knowledge and an ethical framework for living; by sponsoring cultural exchange opportunities in conjunction with the International Sister Cities Program, the Institute promotes respect and appreciation for the diversity found within the human family.

OUR PROJECTS

Education

The African American Islamic Institute has established a Qur`anic School in Madina-Kaolack, Senegal, where children from the United States, Europe, the Caribbean and Africa study Qur`an and receive support in secular subjects, for which they receive academic credit to permit their successful re-entry into the educational system upon their return home. Students who have completed their studies by memorizing the entire Qur`an have been admitted to colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. The School offers children and young adults a unique opportunity to live and study in an Islamic environment and emersion in a rich and meaningful cultural experience, under the direction and guidance of Shaykh Hassan Cisse. The Institute recruits teachers and educators to teach English, Mathematics, and Computer Literacy to children and adults and has established a Literacy Center where students of all ages are learning to read. Contributions of books in English, French and Arabic, and computer hardware and software are welcome.

Health Care

The African American Islamic Institute has established the Shifa al-Asqam Clinic, a Socio-Medical Center in Madina-Kaolack, under the medical direction of Dr. Khadijah Cisse, an American, Board Certified physician. Once equipped and staffed, this new 100 bed clinic will serve a rural population of approximately 10,000 medically under-served children and adults. It is anticipated that 200 patients a day will be seen in this health care facility. The African American Islamic Institute recruits physicians, nurses, dentists and other health care professionals to provide medical care and health education through commitments of anywhere between two (2) weeks to one year of service. Over the years, many American physicians have spent their 'vacations' caring for children and adults in this medically under-served community without the equipment that is so essential for accurate, life-saving diagnosis and treatment. Volunteers provide their own airfare, with the Institute providing room and board for the duration of their service. Contributions of medical equipment will enable us to upgrade the level of care to which families in this community have access. For example, to begin a health education campaign around breast cancer, we must have the capacity to offer mammograms; our planned pre-natal clinic requires GYN examination tables, fetal monitors and the capability to perform sonograms.

     In addition, medicine (for Malaria, Cholera, headache and gastro-intestinal distress, antibiotics) and pediatric and adult vitamin supplements to compensate for the absence of fruits and vegetables nine (9) months of the year, as well as vitamins for lactating mothers are sought.