Sheikh Alaa was born in Cairo and lived in Egypt until he was 15 years old. During his youth, he spent his time as the goalie for the Junior National Team and moved to Toronto, Canada in the late 1970’s.

Sheikh Alaa worked as Vice-President of Business Development for an international company and during this time he competed and was placed first in the 1992 Bermuda Triathlon. He also trained in conflict resolution, crisis management, six sigma, communication skills, advance train the trainer, and inclusion training. He teaches Home Sweet Home and Parenting Matters courses for AlKauthar Institute around the world.

Sheikh Alaa studied for his Bachelors in Shariah from the American International University and earned a scholarship from the Shari'ah Academy/Mishkah University in Florida. Sheikh Alaa has also received his ijazah of Quran recitation for Hafs an Asim and studied comparative religion for five years through the IPCI in South Africa. He was on the board of directors of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth.

Sheikh Alaa currently lives in GTA (Greater Toronto Area) with his wife and three children. He is a member of the Canadian Council of Imams as well as a member of Horizon Interfaith Communication Media Council. Prior to this, he was an Imam for the Muslim Council of Calgary and acted as its media spokesperson. He has hosted Vision of Islam, a weekly television show which runs throughout Alberta, Canada. He has also appeared as a speaker on Islam on various television channels, including Peace TV.

Sheikh Alaa was a member of the Calgary Multi-Faith Committee and a member of the Muslim Christian Dialogue Committee. Sheikh Alaa received the Alberta Centennial award by the Alberta Government in 2005, granted to him for his outstanding service to the Alberta community and he also received recognition from the city of Mississauga and the Members of Council for his Leadership role in 2015.

Currently Sheikh Alaa is the Director of Religious Affairs for the Islamic Centre of Canada-ISNA. Prior to that, he was the Executive Director for the Canadian Islamic Congress. Sheikh Alaa is also a tutor with AlKauthar Institute and Director of Public Relations for Mercy Mission World.