Talha Ali was born in Chicago and grew up in the Chicago suburbs. For high school, he attended the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA), a highly selective ‘pioneering educational community’ that is reputed for its unique curriculum focusing on critical and multi-disciplinary thinking. He then attended Cornell University where he received a Bachelor degree in Materials Engineering and a Master degree in Operations Research.
In addition to studying tajwid and other Islamic sciences in early childhood in a seminary setting, he studied Arabic and Persian in Pakistan after completing his college degrees. He then privately studied various classical texts in Arabic, fiqh, hadith, and tafsir, such as Nur Al Anwar, Hidayah, and Mishkat Al Masabih with senior scholars, primarily Mawlana Aziz Ahmed.
Talha has a deep interest in Islamic education for children and curricular development. He has traveled internationally and nationally to receive training in and observe institutional best practices and pedagogy for Quran and Islamic studies education. He also regularly consults with senior scholars in the field. As a founding member and president of Masjid Uthman, he collaborated with Uthman Academy teachers to develop Uthman Academy’s maktab, hifz, and adult studies curriculums and pedagogy. He regularly advises other institutions locally and nationally in establishing similar systems in their own communities. Talha has also taught the Arabic language and Arabic grammar as well as Arabic works of fiqh to children and adults.
Professionally, Talha is Senior Director for Business Intelligence and Data at a public company. At Masjid Uthman, he serves in a volunteer capacity.
The Sirat School aims to provide a classical education that blends Islamic sciences and Arabic with the rigorous study of mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies - all in an environment that builds spirituality and character.