Ammar Charaf is a born and raised American-Muslim with Syrian, Bosnian, English, and Scottish roots. He grew up in New Jersey attending full-time Islamic school at a young age and then attended public school through middle school and high school. He went on to pursue a double major in Biology and Chemistry from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Upon completing his bachelor's, Ammar became certified to teach Biology, Chemistry and Physics, immediately became a full-time high school Chemistry teacher, and began pursuing a Masters in Education at night. Ammar completed a Masters in Education with a focus on Instructional Design and Technology from Seton Hall and then went on to pursue a second Masters in Chemistry from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. While teaching High School, Ammar also taught courses at various universities as an adjunct professor including the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Kean University, and continues to teach and tutor in various capacities.

Ammar’s Islamic knowledge and love for Islam comes from a variety of sources. In addition, to attending Islamic school at a young age, he would also attend Hidaya Weekend School while he attended public school to continue to learn about Islam. Additionally, Ammar grew up in a family that was very active in the Muslim communities in New Jersey. His mother, also a teacher, created wonderful Islamic stories, content, projects, and songs to help facilitate learning for various Islamic schools. In addition, Ammar’s father, Dr. Moutaz Charaf, is an active Imam in New Jersey, serving for over 35 years, directing weekend school programs, giving weekly Khutbahs, creating Islamic programs, and teaching seminars. Ammar would attend hundreds of events, classes, and halaqas, many of which his father was a guest speaker, including Islamic conventions, mosques, universities and interfaith events. Additionally Ammar participated in local mosque groups like Young Muslims. Through these programs Ammar was able to meet and learn from various scholars from all different cultural backgrounds. 

As a result of his unique background and upbringing, Ammar became involved in not just attending Islamic programs but also helping to host, organize, volunteer, and participate in varying capacities. With his melodic voice, Ammar was encouraged by his father to recite Quran and Nasheed (Islamic Songs) for a variety of events. As he increased in knowledge, and developed his teaching and public speaking skills, he was also asked to be the Master of Ceremony, to give Islamic Seminars to Youth, to speak at interfaith events, and to give Khutbahs at various Mosques. Ammar continues to organize events and programs at his local Mosque, teach at an Islamic Weekend School, and participate in as many events and programs as he can seeking to inspire and educate as an Islamic singer, songwriter, Qur’an reciter and speaker. He is especially passionate about programs that strive to build bridges of understanding between faiths and initiatives that work to inspire and support youth and children. While much of Ammar’s songs are in praise and remembrance of Allah (God) and our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Ammar also writes inspirational songs that inspire people of any faith or background to live with purpose and good morals and work towards being a positive and constructive member of society.

Ammar is deeply inspired by his faith. For Ammar, the more he learned about the religion of Islam the more he fell in love with the faith. As he learned the meanings of The Qur’an and reflected on the verses, he started to appreciate the Islamic worldview – that this life is designed in such a way where each of us is on a journey finding and knowing God, and only by our submission to Him in obedience and worship can we live a truly fruitful and fulfilling life in this world and earn God’s pleasure and acceptance
in the next. Additionally, as he learned more about the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his teachings, actions, interactions, and behaviors he would fall more in love with him and could not deny he must have been a sincere and devout human being and a true messenger from God. Islam just made so much sense, and every question that would raise a doubt could be easily, efficiently, and thoroughly resolved. Interestingly enough, right at the beginning The Qur’an states ‘This is The Book in which there is no doubt’ (Al Baqarah 2: Verse 2). 

Islam is a way of life that strives to cultivate God-conscious, sincere individuals, that actualize their true purpose so they can achieve success in both this life and the next. It redefines what success is and gives direction in all aspects of one’s daily life. It works to discipline the ego, just as exercise and eating right is a form of discipline for the body that leads to many benefits, whereas overindulgence can lead to short-term and long-term discomfort, pain, and suffering. Islam is a way of life that guides a person in the direction, behaviors, and actions of all his affairs. Everything becomes purposeful and we become mindful of God in all that we do. Islam for Ammar kept him grounded, optimistic, and content. Living Islam to the best of his ability, despite his shortcomings, was literally life-changing. It inspired Ammar to want to do better and to be better. It provided inspiration by trusting in God’s power and might to accomplish great things, and the courage and strength to deal with setbacks. It inspired Ammar to recalibrate his intentions often and to be honest and sincere in all his dealings. It taught him to take a break from his own selfish goals and ambitions, and to overcome laziness by getting involved in serving others to bring benefit to this world for nothing other than God’s pleasure and acceptance. Through this Ammar became more confident in himself, recognizing everything is in God’s hands and that his part was simply to work within his capacity to be a source of help and hope. This inspired Ammar to invest his time in learning, teaching, and volunteering. Islam was like a light that opened up Ammar up to a whole new and beautiful world. And, as his love, understanding, and appreciation for his faith increased, Ammar wanted nothing more than to share that light with the world to uplift and inspire people of all faiths and backgrounds and to build bridges of understanding.

Schools: Noor-ul-Iman, Al-Ghazaly School, Miftaahul-Uloom, Al-Hikmah Elementary School,
Academy of Greatness and Excellence, Al-Ghazaly Jr/Sr High School.

Mosques:  El-Zahra Islamic Center, Dar-ul-Islah, Minhaj-ul-Quran, Islamic Center of Passaic
County, Muslim Center of Greater Princeton, Al Falah Center, Boshniak American Community
Center, Albanian American Islamic Center, Bosnian Herzegovinian Islamic Center, Masjid Adam,
Masjid Dar Al-Dawah, Bosniak Islamic Center, Islamic Center of Rockland, Islamic Community
Cultural Center, Islamic Society of Central Jersey, New Brunswick Islamic Center, Islamic Center
of Verona, Fusion Center of Paramus, Muslim Youth Center of Philadelphia, Islamic Center of
Daytona Beach.

Colleges and Universities: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers-Newark, Rutgers-New
Brunswick, Rutgers-Camden, Farleigh Dickenson University-Madison, Bergen Community
College, Montclair State University, Princeton University, Syracuse University, Colgate
University, Columbia University, New York University, Drew University, Seton Hall University.

Organizations: Wafa House, Halal Food Festival, Cornerstone, Islamic TV USA, Celebrate
Mercy, Eid Committee of New Jersey, Helping Hand, Islamic Relief USA, New Jersey Muslim
Lawyers Association, ICNA Relief.