About SII
Nurturing faith, knowledge, and character, one student at a time
Southern Islamic Institute is a new online Islamic school for families across the United States, based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It was founded by Abd al-Rahim Ferrand and is operated by Ameen Systems. We are in our founding year.
Our mission
To provide high-quality, faith-centered education rooted in Islamic values, equipping students with both religious understanding and worldly knowledge to live purposeful, ethical, and impactful lives.
Our vision
Where we are headed
To become a trusted Islamic school that fosters lifelong learning, character development, and spiritual growth through an accessible online school, and to earn accreditation along the way.
Our values
Five words we try to live up to
- Faith. Allah comes first in how we teach, how we schedule the day, and how we treat each other.
- Honesty. We say what is true today, we correct our mistakes in public, and we never claim what we have not earned.
- Excellence. Ihsan in the work: careful lessons, real feedback, and teachers who know each child.
- Mercy. Patience with children who struggle, fairness in every decision, and a safe way for any child to ask for help.
- Family. Parents are partners, not spectators. You see what we see about your child.
From our founder
A letter from Abd al-Rahim Ferrand
As-salaamu 'alaykum,
For a long time, something has been on my heart: building a new kind of Islamic school, one that truly reflects our values, serves our families, and feels like home for the next generation. I believe faith, love, and academic excellence belong in the same building. For now, our building is online, so a family anywhere in the country can be part of it.
I want to be honest with you about where we are. Southern Islamic Institute is at its beginning. When I started, I was the only one building it. I wrote down everything I hoped it would be: the curriculum, the policies, the roles, the plans. Some of what our first website said went further than the truth, such as calling the school open. We took all of that down. On this site, we say only what is true today, and we show you how far along we are.
SII is operated by Ameen Systems, and we are building it carefully: the software first, then the courses, then the teachers and scholars who will bring it to life. We will not take a child's information until the privacy and safety groundwork is in place, and we will not take tuition until the school is ready to teach.
I believe the best things are built together. If you have a child who needs a school like this, join our interest list and tell us what matters to you. If you are a teacher or a scholar who wants to help build it, look at the roles we plan to hire for. You do not need to have built a school before. You need sincerity and care for the next generation.
Barakah starts small. I ask Allah to put sincerity in this work, to protect it, and to make it a benefit to every child who learns with us.
Abd al-Rahim Ferrand
Founder, Southern Islamic Institute
How SII is run
Who is responsible, and who is still to come
You should know exactly who stands behind a school. Here is the honest picture today.
Operated by Ameen Systems
Ameen Systems operates SII. It is responsible for the school, for its decisions, and for the information families share with us. Tuition is a payment to Ameen Systems.
No governing board
SII has no board of directors. Early plans for a volunteer founding board are retired: a school run by a company does not have one, and we will not describe a board that does not exist.
A Scholarly Review Board, being formed
An advisory Scholarly Review Board of 3 to 5 paid scholars will review what we teach about Islam. Members are named here only with their written consent. How review works.
Roles still to be filled
Our Principal, teachers, Qur'an lead, advisors, Safeguarding Lead and deputy, content reviewer, and an independent safeguarding adviser are roles still to be filled. The Safeguarding Lead and deputy, the Qur'an lead, the content reviewer, and the independent adviser will be hired and cleared before any child enrolls. Every role is paid, and everyone is cleared before they reach a child. Careers.
We will add names to this page as people join, only with their consent, and only once they are cleared. A phone line and a mailing address are published before enrollment opens.
Where we are
What is ready, what is not, and the checklist we must finish first.
Accreditation
Not yet accredited. Our road map, and what it means for families.
Contact us
A person reads every message and replies by email.