About Rihlati &
Our Esteemed Team
Rihlati develops educational journeys for Muslim travelers, connecting intensive Islamic scholarship, Qur’anic mastery, and authentic cultural immersion.
Connecting Faith, Learning, and Journey
At Rihlati, we believe that travel should be more than a vacation—it should be a soul-enriching experience of learning, reflection, and spiritual growth.
Our programs bring together qualified Islamic scholars and educators to guide participants through structured study in sacred cities like Madinah and Makkah. From daily Qur’an recitation to in-depth Islamic studies and historical tours, every detail is crafted to leave a lasting impact.
Sacred Spaces
Direct study in the blessed environments of Madinah & Makkah.
Scholarship
Instruction from qualified teachers with decades of expertise.
Fellowship
Traveling alongside a warm, supportive community of learners.
Meet Our Esteemed Team
Ustadhah Zenab Hamdan
Co-FounderUstadhah Zenab Hamdan is a Chadian native born and raised in the Holy City of AlMadinah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She memorized the Qur’an in two years, concluding at the tender age of 12. She started teaching Tajweed and Qur’an at the age of 18 and never looked back!
She went on later to get certified in teacher training courses in AlMadinah. She also taught at an International Islamic studies school for women that overlooked Mount Uhud. She taught Qur’an and Islamic studies to students of many nationalities—ranging from Japanese, Russian, American, Nigerian, and Indonesian—giving her the unique privilege to understand the distinct dialectical challenges in reciting the Qur’an.
Before her departure to America in 2011, she managed a Qur’an memorization school in Madinah, further strengthening her leadership and administrative expertise. She later co-founded her own Islamic school in Houston, Texas for children, focusing on recitation, memorization, and deep understanding of the Holy Qur’an.
Ustadhah Zaynab
Co-FounderUstadhah Zaynab is the co-founder and principal of Al-Tibyaan Academy, located in College Park, Maryland.
She memorized the Holy Qur’an and mastered its seven different recitation styles (the Seven Qira’aat) at a prestigious Qur’an institute in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where she was born and raised.
With over 20 years of dedicated experience teaching the Qur’an, Ustadhah Zaynab specializes in the sciences of Tajweed, Tafsir, and textual analysis, inspiring students across North America and abroad to build a deep, meaningful relationship with the Word of Allah.
Words of Gratitude
Real reflections and experiences shared by travelers on our educational journeys.
“We are so grateful for all of your efforts, care, and compassion in planning the trip. Alhamdulillah we all really enjoyed ourselves and learned a great deal from our beloved teacher Alhamdulillah. Ma sha Allah Alhamdulillah all of the sisters were so kind and warm. The experience was lovely, and we want to express our gratitude to you all Alhamdulillah. May Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala accept from you all and bless, protect, and guide you and your families. May Allah Subhana wa Ta’ala shower you all with His Love and Mercy, and may you find all of your good deeds infinitely increased in the hereafter.”
AlDannitu
Verified Rihlati Traveler“I honestly don’t have the words to express how much this entire experience—and each of you—has meant to me. Every conversation, every laugh, every quiet moment of reflection… it all meant so much more than you probably realize. I pray that Allah reunites us again in the best of gatherings, in this life and the next!”