Sheikh Yahya Safi was born in Tripoli, Lebanon in 1970. Married with two children, he completed his secondary schooling at Al Iman Al Islamiah in 1988.
During his secondary studies, he attained many awards in Islamic competitions and went on to complete 4 years in education at the University of Tripoli for Islamic Studies, and was awarded a degree in Islamic Jurisprudence (Islamic Shari’ah Law) in 1992. Proceeding this, Sheikh Safi enrolled at the American University in Beirut in 1989 and studied the English language for a period of 18 months.
His studies continued at Al Jinan University in Tripoli (1993) in the faculty of Interpreting/Translations. Further, he successfully completed 2 years in Arabic studies at the Lebanese University (Arts faculty). This was followed with a Diploma in Islamic Shari'ah studies in 1995 at the University of Al Jinan. Sheikh Safi finally completed his Masters Degree in the studies and interpretation of the Qur'an in 2002.
Sheikh Yahya was an Imam and religious speaker in a number of Mosques in Tripoli for many years. He was also involved in coordinating, supervising and teaching Islamic studies in Summer schools.
Sheikh Yahya arrived in Australia in 1996 as the newly appointed Imam for the Imam Ali Mosque at Lakemba- the largest Mosque in Australia.
He was also the manager of the Religious Affairs Unit in the Islamic Welfare Centre, which caters to the diverse needs of the Muslim community. Since 1996, he has been responsible for the management and coordination of marriages, divorces, and personal family conflicts/relations.
Sheikh Safi participated in numerous conferences, meetings, functions, and public events addressing community relations and peace-building activities. He has delivered and written numerous lectures for radio broadcasts, conferences, media events, other seminars/weekly meetings, and lectures at the Mosque.
In Pursue of Excellence in English language proficiency, Sheikh Safi completed Certificate IV in English for academic purposes at TAFE.
Sheikh Yahya is also enrolled at the University of Western Sydney, where he is undertaking studies in Community languages, in Interpreting and Translation (Arabic and English).
One of his recent accomplishments include a book which he has published about Social Reform, entitled 'Establishing a framework for personal change,' in accordance with a verse from the Qu'ran, which is currently being translated into the English language.
Sheikh Yahya is currently preparing for a PH D in Islamic commentaries and the studies of the Qu'ran. The focus of the thesis will be on the Islamic guidelines for relations between Muslims and non-Muslims in Western countries.
E-mail: yahya@sydneyic.org.au
