The Radiant Light of Prophetic Character

Please join us for a very special evening as we gather to reflect on the sublime and virtuous character of the beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This event will include a tafsir (explanation) of the Quranic ayah (verse) “وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍۢ” (“And truly you are ˹a man˺ of exalted character“ (68:4)), and recitations of qasaa'id  (poems) that elucidate the noble and resplendent qualities of the Prophet ﷺ. Such gatherings are a balm for the soul and a source of light in dark times. We are blessed and honored to welcome guests Sheikh Yusuf Weltch and Sidi Malik Kiswani for this special event.

Doors open at 7:30pm, and the event will start promptly at 8pm. To receive updates and to reserve your seat, please register now.

Please refer to the notes below for answers to frequently asked questions.

• Childcare: Childcare will not be available. Due to the nature of the event and the space, we kindly request that you only bring children if they can sit quietly throughout the presentations.
• Finding the place: The venue (Ascender) is located at 6401 Penn Ave. in a shopping plaza (with Trader Joe's, Staples, and a McDonald's). Enter through the main entrance at 6401 and take the elevator to the third floor.
• Prayers: Due to the limitations of space, we will not be praying Isha prayer together. You can pray at the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh, which is a 10-15 minute drive away from the venue.
• Entry fees & registration: The event is free and open to the public. However, the event is ticketed and space is limited, so we encourage you to register early to secure your spot.
• Parking: Parking is free and plentiful.
• Food: Drinks and light refreshments will be offered. We recommend you have dinner before arriving.

Presenter bios: 

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch:  By the grace of Allah the Exalted, Shaykh Yusuf Weltch embraced Islam in September of 2008 at the hands of his older brother. Shortly after converting, he was afforded an opportunity to go abroad and learn about the principles of inviting others to Allah (Da'wa), traveling to the blessed lands of Mecca and Medina, as well as Bangladesh and India.

Upon returning to the United States, Shaykh Yusuf was accepted by Darul Uloom New York, where he continued studying the sacred sciences for four more years. He then traveled to the blessed city of Tarim, Yemen, spending three especially formative years at the acclaimed school Dar al-Mustafa established by renowned scholar Habib Umar Bin Hafiz. During this time, he completed the memorization of the Quran, the Forty Hadith of Imam Nawawi, while also studying several manuals of Fiqh, as well as numerous books of the Islamic spiritual tradition.

He returned to North America in 2019 to begin teaching with SeekersGuidance in Toronto, and in July 2021 he joined the faculty at Al-Maqasid.

Malik Kiswani is of Palestinian descent, born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He also spent formative years in the Muslim world, where he learned Arabic and studied classical Islamic texts with scholars in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan. Malik later continued his studies at Al-Maqasid Seminary in Pennsylvania, where he now resides.

Professionally, Malik studied business and organizational leadership and currently serves as Executive Assistant to the Founder of Al-Maqasid, supporting the seminary’s educational and community initiatives.

Alongside his administrative work, Malik has pursued a lifelong passion for sacred song. From a young age he trained under renowned munshidīn, including Shaykh Mustafa Kareem and the Durra family in Syria, Dr. Jihad Kalouti in Jordan, as well as traditional singers across Egypt, Lebanon, and Hadramawt, Yemen. By the grace of Allah, he has performed in some of the most esteemed gatherings around the globe. Malik’s mission is to cultivate a deep love for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through song—an art form that speaks to the heart and spirit—spreading the love of Allah ﷻ and His Beloved ﷺ worldwide.