The journey of Omar Issa Dukureh bridges two West African nations and over three decades of service to the Qur'an. From memorizing the Book of Allah to supervising its memorization for generations of students, his path is one of dedication to education and da'wah.
His Original Biography
From Sierra Leone to The Gambia
Omar Issa Dukureh was born in 1972 in the Republic of Sierra Leone, West Africa, and holds Gambian nationality. Belonging to the Dukureh family, he received his early traditional education in Sierra Leone before his educational journey brought him to The Gambia, where he has since built his life of service.
His formation combines traditional West African Islamic learning with formal Islamic education, centered on the Qur'an and its sciences.
Learning, Memorizing, and Teaching the Qur'an
His educational path reflects a lifelong relationship with the Holy Qur'an — as a student, memorizer, and later as a teacher and supervisor.
Traditional Education — Sierra Leone
Received his traditional Islamic education in Sierra Leone, building a foundation in Qur'an and basic Islamic sciences.
Dar al-Qur'an and Hadith Primary & Preparatory
Completed his primary and preparatory (intermediate) studies at Dar al-Qur'an and Hadith, focusing on Qur'an memorization and Hadith sciences.
Qur'an Memorization School Al-Khair Institute
In 1984, he joined the Qur'an memorization department. He devoted himself to memorizing the Holy Qur'an, completing his memorization and receiving recognition for his efforts.
Completion of Qur'an Memorization
Completed the memorization of the entire Qur'an in 1988, marking a major milestone that would define his future service in Qur'an education.
Academic Qualifications The Gambia
Obtained his intermediate and secondary qualifications in The Gambia between 1992 and 1996, followed by higher studies. In 2001, he completed advanced studies in Shari'ah and Islamic education, with focus on Qur'an sciences and teaching methodology.
Leading Qur'an Education at Imam Malik Institute
Since 2001, Omar Issa Dukureh has held a series of key educational, administrative and da'wah responsibilities, particularly at Imam Malik Institute.
First Director Imam Malik Islamic Institute, Serekunda
Served as the first Director of Imam Malik Islamic Institute in Serekunda, establishing its early educational programs and administrative structure.
Deputy Director
Served as Deputy Director of the institute, supporting academic planning and daily administration.
Supervisor of Qur'an Memorization Department
Supervisor of the Qur'an memorization department, overseeing halaqas, memorization programs, and student progress.
Deputy Director of Educational Affairs
Deputy Director for Educational Affairs, responsible for academic quality, curriculum implementation, and teacher coordination.
Supervisor of Da'wah Program — Sheikh Hassan Bin Muhammad Al Sheikh
Supervisor of the da'wah program affiliated with Sheikh Hassan Bin Muhammad Al Sheikh in The Gambia, coordinating Islamic awareness and outreach activities.
Service to the Qur'an and Community
A Bridge Between Communities
Fluent in multiple languages reflecting his cross-cultural journey: Arabic, English, Soninke, Mandinka, Malinke, and Krio (Sierra Leonean). This linguistic diversity enables him to connect with students and communities across The Gambia and Sierra Leone.
His work is marked by dedication to the Qur'an, commitment to education, and a focus on building strong memorization programs that preserve the Book of Allah for future generations.
إنما يخشى الله من عباده العلماء
خيركم من تعلم القرآن وعلمه
The best of you are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it Omar Issa Dukureh