Shaykh Dr. Mustafa al-Khaliq
Director, Imam (AJ) Center – Paris
Imam (AJ) Center – ParisAbout
A hawza rooted in Paris and open to the wider Francophone world.
Espo Paris Academy presents the work of Imam (AJ) Center – Paris: the first comprehensive Shi'a hawza in France, preparing students, teachers, and preachers through traditional study shaped for life in France, Europe, and connected communities beyond.
A hawza built for study, teaching, and service.
Traditional hawza sciences, taught with an awareness of the languages, questions, and responsibilities that shape Muslim life in the West.
Hawza study
A traditional course of study adapted to the realities of students living in Western societies.
Multilingual teaching
The only hawza offering instruction across French, English, Persian, Arabic, and Azerbaijani.
Teacher formation
A dedicated programme preparing teachers for weekend Islamic schools across the West.
Online access
Distance learning carries the same courses to students far beyond Paris.
Pathway to Najaf
Foundational study in Paris prepares students for advanced specialization in Najaf al-Ashraf.
Francophone reach
France is a gateway to the Maghreb, to Africa, and to the wider French-speaking world.
Scholars and teaching staff
A hawza carried by scholars, teachers, and community educators.
From long-form hawza study to weekend-school formation, the work is sustained by teachers serving across languages, countries, and generations.
Shaykh Dr. Fares al-Khatib
Teaching faculty and Husayni orator
Shaykh Abdullah Shami-Zadeh
Teaching faculty
Shaykh Ismail al-Kanawi
Director, Imam al-Sadiq Seminary, Nigeria
Shaykh Abu Fatimah
Director, Lady al-Zahra Center, Cameroon
Shaykh Mujtaba al-Khaliq
Teaching faculty, United States
Shaykh Hassan al-Nasiri
Administration and Arabic instruction
The aim is to prepare teachers and preachers from within Western societies themselves, with the language and grounding needed to serve their communities well.
Ayatollah Shaykh Ismail al-Khaliq
Founder