Bayan Kokoye

About Sis. Bayan

Bayan Kokoye was born in Halabja, Kurdistan, Iraq, and has dedicated her life to education, community service, and Islamic scholarship. She earned a degree in elementary education and spent several years as an educator, not only teaching in traditional settings but also providing valuable community-based classes. Her contributions include offering English as a Second Language (ESL) courses and conducting educational sessions on the benefits of breastfeeding, helping to empower and support families in her community.

A passionate advocate for Islamic education, Bayan holds a Sanad (certification) in teaching and certifying full Tajweed and in Qur’anic recitation (Riwayat Hafs ’an ’Asim). Her dedication to faith and learning has been a driving force in her community work. In 1998, she played a key role in founding the Salahadeen Center of Nashville (SCN), where she served on the Executive Board for one term. However, her involvement with SCN has gone far beyond leadership positions—she has been an active participant in its programs for decades, teaching at weekend and summer schools, leading Qur’an classes, and mentoring young girls through the Kurdish Achievers program, which she led for over 15 years, guiding girls aged 10 to 20 toward personal and academic success.

Her passion for Islamic education also led her to co-found the Tennessee Iqra’ Academy for Qur’anic Sciences, where she serves as an elected member of the Board of Directors and the Director of the Department of Education (Ta’aleem). Bayan Kokoye’s lifelong dedication to education, faith, and community service has made a lasting impact, shaping the lives of countless students and community members.