After earning a degree in Philosophy and Comparative Religion, Imam Mahmoud began a long term traditional Islamic education specializing in Islamic Theology, Metaphysics, and Sufism earning Ijazat in these and other areas. Imam Mahmoud was privileged in having studied with sh. Abdullah el Haddad al Idrisi, al Habib Muhammad Saddiq al-Alawi, sh. Rams Ajem and many other prominent Ulama.

Imam Mahmoud is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of Risalah Foundation, an Ontario non – profit organization which provides cultural, educational and social services.

Imam Mahmoud is the Imam and Khatib of Jamia Riyadh Jannah is Mississauga where he provided leadership to the Mosque, conducts daily and Jumah prayers, manages the JRJ Madrasah and Youth Development Program as well as provides youth counselling and family mediation services.