About Us

Layali Eshqaidef is the Founder and President of Kalimah Programs for Arabic Culture and Arts (KalimahPrograms.org). She is passionate about spreading the love for Arabic among diverse audiences from babies to adults globally. She has been teaching Arabic in different capacities for over twenty years in schools and colleges. She has designed and directed various integrated, play-based lessons, units, and programs, including Kalimah's Arabic immersion STEAM summer camps in the DMV area. As an Arabic Education Consultant, she has developed a multi-layer language program evaluation process that helps schools and organizations make the shift to interactive, hands-on, fun learning. She believes in empowering students to find their voice and exercise their agency as they develop skills to become lifelong learners and responsible global citizens.

Halima Reribi is a preschool teacher’s assistant with a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology. She is also continuing her studies in Early Childhood Education, reflecting her strong passion for supporting young learners.

She believes children thrive through play and is dedicated to creating a safe, fun, and engaging environment where every child feels valued and encouraged to grow at their own pace.

In her free time, she enjoys biking, photography, traveling, and volunteering.

Farah is an English Education graduate with a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Teaching is her passion, and she enjoys creating a fun, engaging, and supportive learning environment for her students.

She believes in fostering confidence in reading, speaking, and communication, ensuring every child feels encouraged and capable. Her approach is student-centered, with a focus on interactive lessons that make learning enjoyable and effective. She is excited to be part of her students’ learning journey.

Souhila is married, a proud mother of four, and the grandmother of Idris and Leila. She was born in Algeria, spent time in Montreal, Canada, and moved to Maryland, United States, in 1999.

She holds a college degree in Finance and Accounting and previously worked in Office Operations. She currently works as a school bus driver for Montgomery County Public Schools.

She also volunteers as an Arabic teacher at Jannah Academy’s Sunday School and enjoys working with children, finding joy in seeing them grow, learn, and feel connected to their community.

In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, making jewelry, and watching Turkish movies, which allow her to relax, express her creativity, and explore different cultures. She is excited to be joining Kalimah and looks forward to sharing her knowledge, learning from others, and being part of the community.

Zain Abuhatab is a Freshman at UMBC’s Business Technology Administration program. He enjoys everything relating to technology and applies his skills to support growth and learning among children at Kalimah.