About Shaykh Hassan Cisse (rta) – Founder of AAII

With the aid of his brothers, renowed global Islamic Scholars of Qur’an and Hadith – Shaykh Ahmed Tidiane Aliou Cisse and Shaykh Muhammadou Mahy Cisse and for his deeply ingrained work and contributions, Shaykh Hassan Aliou Cisse (rta) received many declarations, medals, and awards. Today, Shaykh Ahmed Tijani Cisse and Shaykh Muhammadou Mahy Cisse work to continue to develop and support global humanitarian efforts, healthcare, and Islamic knowledge and education. Shaykh Hassan Ali Cisse was the Founder and Chairman of the African American Islamic Institute (AAII) from 1988 until his death in 2008. He was an internationally respected Islamic scholar and leader, as reflected in the responsibilities entrusted to him: • Chief Imam, The Central Mosque, Medina-Kaolack, Senegal • President, Elhadji Ibrahim Niass University, Dakar, Senegal • President, Network of African Islamic Organizations for Population and Development • Special Adviser for Islamic Affairs, Republic of Ghana • Honorary Member, Ulama League of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania • A Distinguished Leader of the Tariqa Tijaniyya. 

More About Shaykh Hassan Cisse

• Memorization of the Holy Qur’an at 10 years of age
• Completion of elementary and secondary studies in Senegal and Mauritania
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Islamic Studies and Islamic Literature, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
• Master of Philosophy (MA), University of London, England
• Diploma in English Language, University of London, England
• Diploma in French Language, University of London, England
• Courses and Research toward Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Islamic Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA (interrupted).
• Fluency in English, French, Arabic, Hausa and Wolof

• Key to the City of Cleveland, OH
• Key to the City of Washington, DC
• Proclamation of June 16, 1986 as “Shaykh Hassan Cisse Day”, Washington, D.C.
• Key to the City of Detroit, MI
• Key to the City of Memphis, TN
• Honorary Citizen, Memphis TN
• Honorary Member of the City Council, Memphis, TN
• Proclamation of October 2, 1996 as “Shaykh Hassan Cisse Day”, New Orleans, LA • Key to the City of New Orleans, LA

Continuing the Mission

  Imam Shaykh Ahmed Tidiane Aliou Cisse assumed the Chief Imam of the Grand Mosque of Medina-Baye following the passing of his brother and AAII’s Founder and Chairman Shaykh Hassan Aliou Cisse (rta) in August, 2008. Imam Shaykh Tidiane Cisse brings a distinguished background in religious leadership, international business and diplomacy. He received his religious and academic education in Senegal and Egypt, and in 1985 studied English in the United States. He is fluent in Arabic, French, English, Hausa and Wolof; Completed Memorization of the Qur’an at an early age; M.A. Islamic Theology, Azhar University, Egypt; BA Arabic Language, Azhar University Egypt (5th in class); Diploma in Arabic Language, Azhar Preparatory School, Egypt (1st in class).
Shaykh Mouhamadou Mahy Cisse, Director of Nasrul Ilm’s International Islamic Studies Programs, renowned Islamic Scholar, a teacher, and a consummate spiritual guide whose teaching and lifestyle transparently reflects the Qur’an and life of Prophet Muhammad (saw). • At age 12, he completed memorization of the Quran under the supervision of Mauritanian scholar, Abdullah Ould Rabbani. • After extensive studying of all the disciplines taught in the Majaalis-al-Ilm under his father, then traveled to Egypt to continue his education. • Bachelor of arts in Islamic Studies and Arabic Literature from Al-Azhar University. • Renowned Scholar of the Arabic Language, Qur’an and Hadith • 2018 Founder/Developer of Centre de Sante Cheikh Ibrahima Niasse – Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse Health Center in Taiba Niassene, a locality in the Kaolack region of Senegal. • 2021 Founder and Director of Centre Islamic Nasrul Ilm – Nasrul Ilm Islamic Center in Medina Baye, Kaolack, Senegal.