Founder
Sheikha Syeda Zainab Adams Gillani, M.P.A., M.F.A
Sheikha Syeda Zainab Adams Gillani serves as the Founder of Lighthouse Academia Group as she is dedicated to the building of educational institutions that provide beneficial knowledge to encompass all aspects of a student’s life including academic, spiritual, physical, and intellectual.
Mrs. Gillani studied for over ten years under the direct tutelage of Sufi Master of the Qadri order, Hazrat El Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gillani Hashmi Al Hassani wal Hussaini (may Allah be pleased with him), spiritual custodian of the shrine of Hazrat Mian Mir of Lahore, Pakistan. She was appointed by him during his lifetime as his spiritual successor.
Under Sheikh Gillani leadership she oversaw the American Muslim Medical Relief Team (AMMRT) international reliefs efforts in West Africa, the Americas, and South East Asia. Seeing American Muslims come to the aid of their Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world has greatly contributed in changing many people's perceptions of the West and helping build bridges in the name of brotherhood, fostering dialogue, and combating extremism.
More recently, she led a team of American doctors, nurses, Muslim Boy Scouts (MSA), and volunteers to provide free emergency medical care to victims of Pakistan's devastating floods.
Mrs. Gillani holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Development Studies from the University of Waterloo, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Birmingham, UK, and a Master’s degree in Documentary Film Directing from Raindance-De Montfort University.
Her mastery of sufi literature can be found in the perceptive editing of books on sufism such as the famous Sakina-tul-Awliya (Tranquility of the Saints), authored by Dara Shikoh, son of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and student of the great saint of Lahore Hazrat Mian Mir. As an experienced documentary filmmaker and historian Mrs. Gillani produced the film ‘Mingling of Oceans’ (Majma ul Bahrain) to offer the world the framework for a pathway to spiritual enlightenment and peace in the modern world through lessons from the accounts of students like Mughal Crown Prince Dara Shikoh Qadri.
In 2008, Mrs. Gillani used her keen business acumen to launch a successful international retail business. Her global outlook in business management has set her retail business up for success as she adapts and propels the organization forward through great customer experience and satisfaction.