Dr. Hisham Yahya Altalib — A Pioneering Leader in Muslim Student Life

Born in Mosul, Iraq in 1940, Dr. Altalib grew up in a devout Muslim family. His spiritual journey was shaped early on in school and later across continents as he pursued academic and religious paths with purpose and humility hishamaltalib.comiifso.org.

Building Muslim Student Communities From the Ground Up

After earning his BSc in Electrical Engineering from Liverpool University (1962) and a PhD in the same field at Purdue University (1974), Dr. Altalib became a pillar of Islamic student organization in North America hishamaltalib.comiifso.org.

He served as the first full-time Director of the Training Department of the MSA (Muslim Students Association of the U.S. and Canada) from 1975 to 1977 — playing an instrumental role in shaping leadership development and training across campus chapters, hishamaltalib.comiifso.org.

Dr. Altalib also held the position of Secretary-General at the International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations (IIFSO) from 1976 to 1980, further expanding his impact on Muslim student networks worldwide iifso.org.

As a founding member and director of both the SAAR Foundation (1983–1995) and the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT, founded in 1981), Dr. Altalib continued shaping Islamic intellectual discourse well beyond student organizations iifso.orghishamaltalib.com.

His written works include Training Guide for Islamic Workers, Parent-Child Relations, and The Da’wah Covenant of Honor, tools that continue to influence leaders, educators, and families across generations iifso.orghishamaltalib.com.

Dr. Altalib’s life reminds us that powerful movements often start in modest settings—like student clubs—but can grow into transformational forces when guided by a clear vision and service. He didn’t seek recognition, but dedicated himself to empowering others through training, mentorship, and thought leadership.

Dr. Hisham Yahya Altalib was born in Iraq in 1940. He holds a B.Sc. in electrical engineering from Liverpool University (1962) and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana, USA (1974).

While working as an electrical engineer, Dr. Altalib soon became actively involved in Islamic work in North America, a role that continues to this day. He has held several positions in various Islamic Organizations, including the first full-time director of the Leadership Training Department of the Muslim Students Association of the United States and Canada (MSA) (1975–1977) and secretary general of the International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations (IIFSO) in 1976. He has conducted many training camps and seminars in America and abroad.

A founding member and Director of the SAAR Foundation (1983–1995), as well as a founding member of the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) in 1981, he is also the author of the well-known book A Training Guide for Islamic Workers, which to date has been translated into 20 languages. He is currently the director of finance of the IIIT.