Sheikh Mustafa Akhound was born in the city of Isfahan, Iran, to a distinguished family known for its leadership, and dedication to serving Islam and the Muslim community. His father is Sheikh Imam Makki Akhund. He studied for 4 years in the prominent seminaries in Qom, Iran, and Syria. Currently, he is continuing his seminary studies online. When he was 14 years old, Imam Mustafa and his family migrated to the United States of America. He grew up in Northern Virginia, where he began his academic studies and received his Bachelors in Religious Studies from GMU. He speaks Arabic, Farsi, and English fluently and frequently lectures across the United States and other parts of the world, and is known for his ability to connect with and influence the Muslim youth, especially those living in the West. He strongly believes in the potential of the propagation of Islamic teachings and values, and therefore has committed himself to that cause. He is the Imam of one of the largest mosques in Northern Virginia, Imam Ali Center, Springfield, VA.