Aneesah R. W. Dawan

Aneesah R. W. Dawan was born to Muslim parents but accepted Al-Islam for herself at the age of 13. She is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas and graduate of the Historic Little Rock Central High School. Aneesah’s post-secondary education has been focused in the areas of Philosophy & Religious Studies at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Criminal Justice at the University of Houston-Downtown. In addition to her undergraduate work Aneesah studied Arabic and Islamic Studies at Abu Nour University in Damascus, Syria, obtaining a 2-year Arabic language certification.  

Aneesah’s earlier Islamic and Arabic education came from various Imams and teachers in the United States under the leadership of Imam W. D. Mohammed. Her most influential studies in Arabic and the science of tajweed came under the tutelage of Imam Qasim Ahmed while residing in Houston, Texas. Aneesah refined her Quranic recitation while studying in Syria and has become known for her precise, yet eloquent reading of Quran using the Hafs style of recitation. As a tool to teach tajweed and encourage the recitation of Quran among women, Aneesah began professionally recording the Quran for public distribution. Aneesah has lectured at various Islamic and Interfaith conferences representing women in Al-Islam and focusing on areas such as tajweed and tafsir.  

Her purpose is to provide a clear and sound understanding of Quran and the life of Prophet Muhammad (saw) while stressing the importance of the feminine voice to the benefit of mankind. Aneesah’s next educational goal is to complete a doctor of law (JD) degree with a focus on the intersections of Law and Religion.

Imam Abdul’Haq Muhammed

Founder/Executive Director - Quality Life Center, of SWFL. Abdul’Haq Muhammed is the founder and Executive Director of Quality Life Center of SWFL, a non-profit organization that focuses on the development both academically and personally of children. He also serves as the resident Imam for the Center for Islam and Cultural Awareness in Fort Myers, Florida.

Quality Life Center features programs ranging from early learning, academic enrichment, performing arts, mentoring, life skills, teen development, college and employment preparation. With over 35 employees educating and inspiring over 300 children and families daily, Quality Life Center works to achieve this by demystifying the world for young people and their families. With the growth and success of the organization, they are currently constructing additional space for a multipurpose recreation facility which will include a teen center, commercial kitchen and banquet hall.

Abdul’ Haq Muhammed is originally from Harlem, New York where he studied at the American Muslim Mission under the leadership of the Honorable Imam Warith Deen Mohammad. In addition, he received his education and training at City College, Fordham University and the Henry George School of Economics. He also studied and conducted various businesses in North and West Africa and performed the pilgrimage to Mecca in 1980. He is a US Army veteran, serving three years during the Vietnam era and was honorably discharged as a non-commissioned officer. He is also a recipient of numerous awards and recognitions such as the Person of the Year by Gulfshore Life Magazine awarded in 2016.

He has extensive experience in organizational development, strategic planning, funding, resource acquisition and program design. He is an inspiring lecturer, a bridge builder, and collaborator uniting communities, governments and business leaders to obtain a multi-million dollar impact in economically challenged neighborhoods.

He has three wonderful children who are high achievers and a brilliant granddaughter named Zora.

Imam Abdul Karim Hasan

Abdul Karim Hasan was born in 1931 in Camden, New Jersey. He is the seventh of thirteen children. He was raised by his mother and father who became acquainted with the nationalistic message of the Honorable Marcus Garvey in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1928.

The family moved to Hartford, Connecticut where his mother joined the Honorable Noble Drew Ali’s Moorish American Movement in 1942, and enrolled him in their weekend school at the age of eleven.

His mother heard Minister Malcolm X at a Moorish American MeetIng in the summer of 1955 and decided that evening to become a NaIon of Islam member. He would join shortly thereafer in 1956. Rising through the Muhammad Temple of Islam’s ranks he moved to New Haven, Connecticut in 1961 and led the efforts to secure two numbered Temples—Number 40 and 41, in four years as a Minister.

Sent to Los Angeles in 1971, by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, he led the successful growth in membership and community relations and two years later, purchased a city block at 4016 South Central Avenue, which became Temple #27, the NaIon of Islam’s West Coast Regional Headquarters.

In 1977, a tribute to his accomplishments was read into the United States of America Proceedings & Debates of the 95th Congress by the Honorable Yvonne Brathwaite-­‐Burke of California. He would make his first Hajj that same year, while traveling with Imam W. Deen Mohammed, who led a delegation of 300 Americans on Hajj.

He also accompanied Imam W. Deen Mohammed to Rabat, Morocco at the invitation of His Majesty King Hassan II, and as an Ambassador of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, he was sent to Rome, Italy to represent Imam Mohammed at an International News Conference.

At the invitation of the President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, he was invited to Cairo to receive a Da’wah Medal of Excellence in 1993.

His many travels have carried him to Trinidad & Tobago; Nigeria, Kenya; Malaysia, Singapore; Arabia; Israel; Rome, Egypt; Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Morocco visiting them many times; He has met and visited with the late King Khalid of Saudi Arabia, the late Palestinian Authority President Yasar Arafat; and the late Pope John Paul II.

Over the years, he has continued development of the city block at 4016 South Central Avenue with the completion of a 16 Classroom School (Bilal Learning Center) in 2007; and is currently making progress in the construction of a Masjid and Community Center Complex, at this site. The city of Los Angeles has named this sectional block on Central Avenue at MarIn Luther King Blvd and Malcolm X Way, "Imam Abdul Karim Hasan Square."

Imam Abdul Rahman Shareef

A Muslim by conversion since 1972. Serves as Resident Imam of Tauheed Islamic Center, Wilmington, NC. A student of Muslim Leader Imam W. Deen Mohammed. Presently serves as Co-convener of the Imams Consultative Body of North Carolina (ICBNC). He has performed Hajj twice, 1984 and 2001.

Attended Miller Motte Business College and received a two year Business Diploma. Furthered
education at Cape Fear Technical Institute and received an Associate Degree in Instrumentation and Control Technology. Worked for Progress Energy for 33 years and retired March 1, 2008.

A frequent guest of many area churches, schools, and participant in many public forums. He is featured in North Carolina Portraits of Faith, a pictorial history of religions in North Carolina.

Served in the United States Marine Corps, including 13 months in Vietnam. Awarded Purple Heart and two Presidential Unit Citations. Lifetime member of Vietnam Veterans of America and Muslim
American Veterans Association and presently serves as (MAVA) National Quartermaster. In his local VVA Chapter he serves as Chaplain and Minority Affairs Representative.

Has traveled with Muslim delegations from Imam W. Deen Mohammed Community to several
countries focusing in the areas of religion; inclusive of education, business, culture and government and working to establish a relationship for agricultural possibilities. Turkey, South Africa, South Korea, Paraguay and Rome.

Completed 9-week class and graduated November 10, 2016 from the FBI Citizens Academy program.

Imam Abdullah Rasheed

Abdullah Rasheed is an active Imam, Entrepreneur, and member of the Houston Islamic Community in Texas. He is a dedicated student of the eminent scholar Imam Warithuddeen Mohammed.

 As an Associate Imam of Masjid Warithudeen Mohammed and Masjid Al Quran of Houston, he is participating in education and community-building efforts. He serves as an Islamic Weekend School administrator and has taught several classes related to Islamic Sciences including Qur'anic Arabic, Seerah and Tafsir. One of his most recent community-building accomplishments was leading a team to raise funds to build a new community playground.

As an entrepreneur, he recently co-founded a crowdfunding platform that helped businesses raise over $450,000 in 3 months. He also recently co-founded with his wife, a baby product company named Umi's and released a high quality, eco-friendly diaper. The company shipped diapers to over 25 cities within 6 months of its launch.

Rasheed is dedicated to community outreach and development programs. He regularly assists national and local programs, such as Kamp Khalil, Compt-U-Dopt, Need-to-Feed, and others.

His most valuable characteristic is his humility, courage, and his desire to help others. One of his favorite phrases is: "If you strive with inadequate resources, Allah will bless you with adequate resources."

Rasheed holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and is an accomplished Software Architect and Engineer.

He is a family man, with his greatest fulfillment coming from raising his young son.

Imam Abu Qadir Al-Amin

• Accepted Islam in 1967 serious practitioner since 1969

• Appointed Imam by Imam W. Deen Mohammed 1980

• Served as Imam in Oakland CA 1981/82

• FCI Pleasanton/Dublin 1983

• Elected Imam SFMCC 1984 Current

• Arabic Studies San Francisco State University 1979

• Owned Bakeries in Cupertino, Pacifica, Oakland

• Bismillah Booksellers 1979/80 San Rafael CA

• United Book Distributors 1982/83

• Great News Book Store 1986/90

• Featured in 1988 Documentary on ABC's 20 / 20

• Mc Neil Leher Show, Soledad Obrian Show

• Advisory to Warden at San Quentin Prison 1989/96

• San Francisco Mayor Feinstein's Self Esteem Task Force

• San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Advisory on Homelessness

• San Francisco Inter FaithCouncil 1996 Current

• Associate Director Center on Juvenile & Criminal Justice 1992 Current

• San Francisco Re-Entry Council member

• CPC Member Represented Imam W. Deen Mohammed as Overseas Buyer/ Negotiator: Trips to Thailand (3) China (5) Mexico (2) as well as within the continental USA.

• Invited to Kenya as Guest of UN Aid & Reachout Rehab in Mombasa, visited Nairobi, Mombasa & Malindi representing SFMCC & IWDM Month trip.

• Current project under development: purchasing a a 13,000 sq. ft. facility to house masjid, classrooms, commercial space, halal restaurant

• Cumputer lab, recording studio etc. SFMCC 4760 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94112

• Program director of CJCJ's Supportive Living Program a Licensed Alcohol & Drug Facility (20 years in operation)

• Program Director of Cameo House; transitional housing for 11 women and 2 children each.

• Hajj made in 1988, Umrah 1990 during Ramadan, led delegation on Hajj 1995, Umrah During ramadan 1997

• Married to D. Hafsah Al-Amin four children Qadir, Saidah, Bilal, Darisah; five grandchildren Nailah, Shaniah, Ryad, Idris, Razariah.

Imam Adam K. Beyah

Adam K. Beyah, religious leader, community activist and entrepreneur, currently resides in Fayetteville, NC. Beyah was born in High Point, NC on June 1, 1951. At an early age (11 years old), he became involved in the Civil Rights Movement by participating in the Freedom Marches in the downtown of that city. In 1965, his family moved to Atlanta, GA where he lived about one block from Ebenezer Baptist Church and the S.C.L.C. office. He remembers many times walking by the S.C.L.C. office and seeing Dr. M. L. King, Jr. standing outside greeting the youths. These events are ingrained on his mind and probably helped to nurture his desire to work for the upliftment of African-Americans. 

Adam received his B.A. in Accounting from Winston-Salem State University in 1977. Upon graduation, he accepted a position at the New York office of Price-Waterhouse where he achieved the rank of Senior Tax Accountant. While there he had the opportunity to work on foreign assignments in such places as Paris, Libya and Saudi Arabia and in addition to this, has visited seventeen (17) other countries. He relocated to Fayetteville in 1984 as Controller with Shaw Foods Services Inc. In 1987 he started and currently owns Beyah's Accounting & Tax Service which specializes in small business accounting and individualized tax planning. 

From 1990 to 2000, Adam served as the resident Imam of Masjid Omar Ibn Sayyid in Fayetteville, NC. He oversaw the construction of the current Masjid Building which sits on 4 acres of land. 

Adam currently hosts a radio show named “Money Sense” on American Muslim 360 every Thursday at 8:00am. He also speaks many times during the year at colleges, at public schools in Cumberland and surrounding counties, and at churches. In August of 1995 he made an oral presentation at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh on Islam in America from an historical perspective. Beyah also gave remarks and Benediction at a Symposium on Omar Ibn Sayyid at the Hawthorne Library on the campus of Harvard University in May of 1998. 

Beyah has been very active in community service organizations. Some of the positions he has held are: Board Vice-Chair of Democracy North Carolina; past member and Treasurer, Fayetteville Urban Ministry; past member, Faith Dialogue Team (Interfaith group) sponsored by the Fayetteville/Cumberland Human Relations Commission; past member; past member, Fayetteville United, a group appointed by Fayetteville City Manager to address the healthy development of race relations; past member, City of Fayetteville Human Relations Commission; past member and Chairman, City of Fayetteville Airport Commission. 

In March, 2016 Imam Beyah founded the 100@$50 Initiative, which has called for 100 participants to donate $50 per month to 1 of 7 full times Clara Mohammed Schools. This initiative has raised over $160,000 over the last 4+ years. 

In the Fall of 2017, Adam was selected a member if the 2017-2019 class of The William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations, a program of Wildacres Leadership Initiative. The William C. Friday Fellowship is a competitive North Carolina wide program for cross-sector leaders. 

Imam Dr. Askia Muhammad

Imam Dr. Askia Muhammad was born in the Nation of Islam, 1958. I'm a student of Imam WD Mohammed for 33 years of his leadership among us. I've studied Quranic Arabic, Islamic History and Islamic sciences. I hold a Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate of Ministry in Christian theological studies as well as a Masters in Political Science and a Masters in Public Administration. I've been a speaker on Islamic topics as well as addressed interfaith groups on various topics since 1988. It would be an honor to join the speakers bureau. I've established a two year Islamic Studies course at New York Theological Seminary for Muslim and non-Muslim students alike, and I served as a college professor at Metropolitan College of New York for five years, teaching African American studies, American history, Business Administraion and Development and other topics.

Imam Dr. Bashir Ali

Imam Dr. Bashir Ali serves as the Midwest Section Convener and National Convener of Imams in association with the Community of Imam W. Deen Mohammed. He has also been the Resident Imam and President of the Muslim Education & Community Association (MECA) of Peoria, Illinois since 1993. He became a member of the Nation of Islam in 1970. Since 1975, he has been a student of Imam W. Deen Mohammed. In addition to his responsibilities as a resident Imam, Bashir has served in leadership roles for community organizations, and state and national professional associations. He has also served as a state and federal prison Chaplain. 

As an Islamic community leader, Imam Dr. Ali writes books and lectures throughout the country on the Qur’anic foundations of developing model Muslim communities and “Fitrah-The Natural Pattern for Our Development” (his upcoming book). Recognizing the need to cultivate a new generation of community leaders, he has been instrumental in developing the current Islamic Leadership Training and Development Program (ILTDP). Dr. Ali also acts as the team leader for the Community Leadership component of the ILTDP. 

In his capacity as Midwest and National Convener, Imam Dr. Ali has had the opportunity to work with Imams and other community leaders across the region and country to develop leadership skills, training programs, and community development initiatives. He has worked collaboratively with community leaders to create the annual Imams’ Conferences, Midwest Leadership Conferences, and Community Leadership Summits to address critical areas of community life and development; develop the institutions of community governance and leadership; and develop the skill-sets of Imams and Islamic community leaders. 

Bashir grew up in Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois in Architecture. He began his career as an Architectural Engineer. He retired in 2012 as the Director of Workforce Development for Central Illinois. He has also been director of a community-based organization and a community college administrator. For thirty years Bashir was a recognized leader in economic, workforce and community development and has been the recipient of numerous international, national, and state awards. He received his Doctoral degree from Global Oved Dei Seminary and University. 

Imam Darnell Karim

Assistant to Imam W. Deen Mohammed in Islamic Studies and childhood friend, Darnell  (Karriem) Karim has been a practicing member of the Muslim  community for over seventy four years, his entire education was attained under the  directions of The University  of Islam/Clara  Muhammad School system.

Imam Darnell Karim began his studies in the Arabic Language and Islamic studies at the age of eleven.  His instructors of the Arabic Language were several, however, the most effective teacher was Professor Jamil  Diab who was his instructor for ten (10) years. Professor Diab was a Palestinian Muslim and an Azhar University graduate located in Cairo Egypt. His childhood friend and classmate was Imam W. Deen  Mohammed who became the world wide respected  Muslim Leader to over 2.5 million, and among other  classmates include his wife, Gloria, sister Zahira and the younger brother of Imam Mohammed  Dr. Akbar Muhammad an Associate Professor at Binghamton University.

Imam Darnell Karim continued his studies under the Leadership of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, and became an Instructor of Islamic Studies and Arabic language at the Clara Muhammad School from 1976 to 1987. He frequently travelled to many Masajid (Islamic Centers) throughout the United States to instruct Muslim adults in Islamic studies and the Arabic Language.

He is an advocate supporter of the leadership and association of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, may G-d give him the highest place in paradise.

Imam Karim‘s recitation of the Holy Quran is considered equal to native born Arabic speakers with the highest spiritual quality.  His first recitation publicly at the age of 13 was at the Muslim annual convention in Chicago, Illinois February 26th, 1950 which brought tears to the eyes of the late Hon. Elijah Muhammad.

Imam Earl S. El-Amin

Imam Earl S. El-Amin was raised and educated in the Baltimore Metropolitan area and is a graduate of Morgan State University and Sojourner Douglass College.

For well over 30 years he has served in various capacities of leadership in the Muslim community as well as the community at large.  He has conducted numerous workshops, forums and trainings throughout the United States and abroad to educators, theologians, social workers and human service practitioners.

Imam El-Amin was a member of several distinguished delegations accompanying Imam Wallace D. Mohamed abroad, representing Muslim American interests; he was a participant in the first historic dialogue between Imams and Rabbis in North America, and also was present at President Barack Obama’s presentation to Muslim leadership in Baltimore. 

Imam El-Amin is the Resident Imam at the Muslim Community Cultural Center of Baltimore and also serves as Vice President of Program Development at the National Centers on Institutions and Alternatives which is a human services organization that is comprised of over 600 employees.

His objectives for the Muslim community in Baltimore includes the establishment of model neighborhoods, improving the overall image of Islam, interfaith initiatives and the development of Muslims in business, education, politics and culture.

Imam El-Amin has made numerous guest television and radio appearances on CSPAN “The Bottom Line,” “To the Point”, “Newsnight”, “Interfaith Roundtable”, “Xchange”, “Marc Steiner Show”, and many more.  

Imam Earl El-Amin is a husband and proud father of three children.

Imam Faheem Shuaibe

Faheem Shuaibe Resident Imam of Masjidul Waritheen in Oakland; lifelong student of Imam W. Deen Mohammed (ra).  Founder of M.A.R.I.A.M. (Muslim American Research Institute Advocating Marriage) and The Sacred Life Project.  

Inducted into the African American Intellectual Royal Family. Addresses audiences across the country on religion, world politics, human relationships and societal evolution. Hosts the website "aclearunderstanding.net" and 6 weekly Blogtalk Radio broadcasts, A frequent lecturer on Cal Berkeley's "Holy Hill" for the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) which trains doctoral and post doctoral students of Philosophy, Theology and Interfaith and American Baptist Seminary of the West. 

Lectured at The Commonwealth Club of San Francisco CA, AT&T; Chiron Corporation, University of California, Yale University’s School of Law, Howard University, Fordham University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Princeton University, New York University, University of Washington in St. Louis, Xavier University, Buffalo State College and others as well as manymajor national conferences and conventions

Past board member of ING an international interfaith education organization. Comments on contemporary issues in the Muslim Journal, The Wall Street Journal, the Tribune, The Chronicle, The Mercury news, The NY Times, The LATimes, National Geographic, USA Today, The CS Monitor and others. Consulted on the award winning PBS film projects on Islam in America.

A delegate for several educational, religious, interfaith, and peace missions to Saudi Arabia, Italy, Sudan, Malaysia, Egypt, The British Isles and the Caribbean.  He has received municipal proclamations and the Key to the City as well as the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity’s Notable Citizen Award.  Currently working with an "A list" of intellectuals, professionals, religious leaders and career diplomats on the "Abraham Family Reunion Project" a national interfaith project.

Imam Faheem and Yolanda Mahasin have been married for 42 years and from this union they have 4 children and 3 grandchildren.

Imam Hatim Hamidullah

Hatim Hamidullah is a respected Imam of Masjid Al-Haqq in Orlando, Florida. He is an active member of the Florida Conference of Muslim Americans in association with the Ministry of Imam WD Mohammed (ra) and a member of the Shura of Imams of the Islamic Society of Central Florida. Imam Hamidullah is also on The Mayor’s Interfaith Council of Central Florida.

He is Executive Director and co-founder of Knowledge for Living, Inc. a 501C nonprofit organization with his wife Aminah, seeks to improve (with social service and education) the total well-being of citizens in economically dis-advantaged communities. Imam Hatim has held responsible position of Imam throughout the years in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia and Florida. Through his association with Imam WD Mohammed, Imam Hamidullah was selected as a guest of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to participate in the first intensive Islamic Educational program in Washington DC, consisting of subjects such as Quranic Arabiyyah (Arabic), Hadith Methodology, Seerah (history), and Fiqh (religious rulings). His travel includes Hajj to Mecca (al-hamdulillah), South Africa, Muslim Spain, Morocco, and Canada. Imam Hatim is a frequent lecturer throughout the United States at masaajid, universities, colleges, churches, synagogues, and radio stations. 

In regard to the Nation of Islam under the Leadership of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Imam Hatim Hamidullah served in every major capacity that a FOI (Fruit of Islam) brother could serve, boots on the ground Infantry, Squad Leader, 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, Captain, and Student Minister. 

Imam Jihad Saafir

Imam Jihad is the former Chaplin of The California Institute for Women and the former Imam of Masjid At-Taqwa in Altadena, CA. He is currently the director of the Islah Campus located in South Los Angeles, directing several projects including Islah LA, Islah Academy (a fulltime Islamic k-8th grade school) and is the resident Imam of Masjid Ibaadillah. Imam Jihad earned a BA in Arabic Studies, a Masters in Islamic Leadership and is presently working on his PhD in Practical Theology at Claremont School of Theology. He is the founder of Islah LA, a non-profit organization that provides social services to the surrounding community of Los Angeles. Islah LA’s inner-city community center is the first of its kind and through Imam Jihad’s leadership Islah LA has spawned a new wave of civic engagement within the Muslim American- community. In 2018, Imam Jihad was awarded the with the prestigious KCET Local Hero’s Award. Imam Jihad finds support for his efforts from his community, Wife, Garland, Daughter, Sadiyah and Father, Imam Saadiq Saafir.

Imam Joèl Abdur-Razzaaq Saahir

 Imam Joèl Abdur-Razzaaq Saahir is Resident Imam of Masjid Al-Muminun of Winston-Salem, the oldest Islamic organization in the Triad area of North Carolina. Born in Evanston Illinois, later moving to Vallejo in Northern California, he graduated from Vallejo Senior High. Upon graduation Imam Joèl Saahir returned to Chicago in 1986. He joined the Community under the leadership of Imam W.D. Mohammed (ra) in 1992, becoming a dedicated member of Masjid Ar-Rahman. He also was active in security at the Masjid and nationally, serving on the personal protection team for Imam W.D. Mohammed (ra). After moving his family to Winston-Salem in 2005 and joining Masjid Al-Muminun, Imam Joèl Saahir continued to assist Imam Mohammed (ra) in establishing a model community. Imam Saahir has presented at the Mosque Cares Ramadan Session and spoke at many interfaith dialogues. Imam Joèl Saahir continues to strive for a more unified, cooperative community. Serving as one of Baptist Hospitals on-call Muslim Chaplain, Imam Saahir also participates in many interfaith organizations. He serves as secretary for the Imams Consultative Board of North Carolina (ICBNC) and is a student studying Qur’anic Arabic. Imam Saahir is committed to continuing the efforts of Imam Mohammed (ra) and is a student of his language. Imam Saahir has worked two decades in school systems in Illinois and North Carolina and coached high school sports. Imam Joèl Saahir has a B.S. in Business Administration from Historic Salem College, a master’s degree in Applied Arts and Sciences from UNC at Greensboro. He was a part of a delegation that traveled to Seoul, South Korea for the World Summit on Peace. He has been married to Eugenia since 1992 and they have three children and two grandchildren. 

Imam Khalil Akbar 

Joined Nation of Islam ---1968 in Harrisburg, Pa. Served as First Lieutenant and Captain of the FOI 

Moved to Baltimore, Md where he served as second Lieutenant of FOI in Muhammad Temple #6. 

Returned to Harrisburg and served as Student Minister. Accepted new direction of Imam W. Deen Muhammad in 1975. 

1977-87—Resident Imam of Harrisburg Masjid. 

Career change—Accepted an opportunity to work for the North Carolina Department of Correction Division of Prison and moved to Charlotte NC. Agreed to help organize a group of Imam W. Deen Mohammad supporters. The group became Ash Shaheed Islamic Center in 1988 to present serves as Resident Imam. Under his leadership Ash Shaheed became Masjid Ash Shaheed upon completing the construction of a new facility (masjid) on 8 areas of land owned by the Community. Imam W. Deen Mohammad came to dedicate the new Masjid. 

Completed the sacred rites of Hajj in 1996. 

Education and experience: Clinical Pastoral Education at Camp Hill, Pa. 1984 

1987:Master’s Of Human Degree from Lincoln University, Oxford Pa. 

Resident Imam for 42 years ( 10 years in Harrisburg and 32 years in Charlotte). 

Employed as Clinical Chaplain II for the state of North Carolina Department of Correction Division of Prisons for 26 years. Duties included were Coordinator of Islamic Services and Supervisor of all Chaplains in the Western Half of North Carolina. Retired in 2013.

Accepted chaplaincy position at Johnson C Smith. Served for 2 years. 

Married to Sister Darlene Akbar for 52 years.

Imam Mansoor Sabree

Imam Mansoor Sabree is an activist, social entrepreneur, and nonprofit leader. He is currently the Deputy Executive Director and Director of the Inner-City Muslim Action Network in Atlanta, GA (IMAN-Atlanta), a grassroots organization focused on health, wellness, and healing in the inner-cities of the United States. IMAN’s programs offer a holistic approach to community organizing, arts and culture, transitional housing, spiritual development, life skills education, construction training, and job placement support for at-risk youth and returning citizens after incarceration. IMAN is part of a larger national campaign that works on grassroots issues affecting communities of color in urban neighborhoods across the United States. Imam Sabree serves on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, Atlanta’s oldest Mosque and accredited K-12 Islamic School. Recently, he was recognized amongst the “Who’s Who 40 under 40 Muslim Leaders in Georgia” and inducted into the Board of Religious Leaders at the historic Morehouse College. Imam Sabree has traveled and studied in the Middle East and West Africa. He currently resides in Atlanta, GA with his amazing wife and 5 children.

Contact:
mansoor@Imancentral.org
404-934-8399
Twitter: @mmsabree
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IMANAtlanta
www.IMANcentral.org

Imam Muhammad Abdul-Aleem

Imam Muhammad Abdul-Aleem has been involved with on-going Islamic projects since his early conversion to Al-Islam in 1968.  In 1968, he also began the development of the five-volume concordance to the Holy Qur’an. This project has molded his Islamic character and provided a framework for his later work as an Imam.  He attended the Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University of Saudi Arabia in 1977, and spent two years studying Arabic Language, Islamic law and Quranic studies.  Afterwards, Imam Abdul-Aleem returned to Philadelphia, where he earned a graduate degree in secondary education, with concentrations in physics and environmental science.

Imam Abdul-Aleem presented a clear understanding of the Holy Qur’an and Qur’anic Arabic language as a teacher of imams and teachers of the Muslim American community.  He served as principal of Clara Muhammad Schools in New York City and Philadelphia.

Imam Abdul-Aleem was a member of the Muslim American delegation invited to Saudi Arabia at the inception of the Gulf Crisis in the Middle East.  This delegation traveled to Saudi Arabia several times and developed declarations reflecting the findings of Muslim scholars and religious leaders from around the world.

Imam Abdul-Aleem supports the religious and social initiatives taken by the late Imam W. Deen Mohammad to uplift humanity and promote human excellence.  He served as the resident Imam of Masjidullah in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1982 to 2001.  He currently serves as a visiting guest lecturer at mosques throughout the country. He also serves as the imam emeritus at Masjidullah. Imam Abdul-Aleem has been recognized by various civic and charitable organizations for his leadership and scholarship. In 2013, Imam Abdul-Aleem received a Lifetime Achievement Award from CAIR-Philadelphia.  Imam Abdul-Aleem continues to present the message of Al-Islam and its impact on African-Americans and the global community at various campuses.

Imam Abdul-Aleem is the author of several books including Vocabulary of the Holy Qur’an, Concordance to the Holy Qur’an (Volumes 1-5), The Excellence of Worship and Islamic Lectures, Volume 1). He is married to Bayyinah Abdul-Aleem, and the father of four children.

Imam Omar Adib Shakir

Imam Shakir was born in Lima, Ohio, and raised in upstate New York. In 1977 he attended Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio where he majored in Accounting and Business Administration.

As a child, Imam Shakir was raised in the Baptist tradition until the age of fourteen when he was first introduced to the religion of Al-Islam (Islam). At the age of sixteen he embraced Al-Islam under the leadership of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed.

In 1983 he was elected Resident Imam (Leader) of the local Muslim community in Schenectady, New York at the age of twenty-five. This was the beginning of Imam Shakir’s leadership and ministry.

In 1986 Imam Shakir moved with his family to San Antonio, Texas. In 1988 he was elected Resident Imam of Masjid Luqman in San Antonio, Texas a position he held until 1996. During his eight-year tenure he received two Outstanding Leadership Awards, one in 1988 and the other in 1991. In 2002 he received an interfaith award for Religious Man of the Year for his interfaith and community initiatives.

Imam Shakir is a regular participant in ecumenical services and interfaith dialog. He lectures at many of the local colleges, universities, and churches on the religion of Al-Islam. He has done several local and cable public access TV shows on Al-Islam.

In November of 2002, in recognition of his interfaith efforts, The Focolare Movement Invited Imam Shakir to, and he did attend, an International Interfaith Summit in Rome, Italy promoting unity and universal brotherhood.

In January of 2005 Imam Shakir fulfilled the fifth requirement in his religion, which is to make the pilgrimage (Hajj) to the sacred house in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Imam Shakir has also traveled to Egypt and Turkey. Most recently, (May of 2014), Imam Shakir attended an international summit of scholars and Imams in Istanbul Turkey on the topics of Ijtihad and Qiyas.

In addition to Imam Shakir’s regular interfaith participation, he has received a number of awards for his service.  He is an award recipient from the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).  He was also the 2012 recipient of the Peace Center’s Peace Laureate Award.  In 2013 the Baha’i Community honored him with the Humanitarian of the Year Award.

For the past several years Imam Shakir has delivered invocation at the Blessing of the City Officials hosted by San Fernando Cathedral Interfaith Initiative.  He serves as a regular supporter of the MLK Commission’s MLK event.  Imam Shakir is involved with the Peace Center’s Compassion NET project, an initiative to make San Antonio a model city for compassion amongst people of all cultures. He and his community have also participated in Mayor Julian Castro’s SA2020 civic initiative. Imam Shakir is also Texas State Convener for a group of Imam's in the state of Texas.

Currently he is Resident Imam at Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah of San Antonio, Texas, and employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a full-time Imam (Chaplain).  As Chaplain, he serves the State of Texas prisons and jails teaching, counseling, mentoring, and resolving conflicts for the inmate population and the department’s employees.

He is married to Zarinah Hasan and they have 3 children and 6 grandchildren, one daughter and two sons who are active in the community in the field of education and business.

Imam Omar Shaheed 

Personal

• Married, 3 children, 4 grand children

• Born in Trenton, SC (Edgefield County) to Moses and Sarah Martin.

• Raised in Aiken County in family of 14 children, 1 of 2 sets of twins.

• Served in US Navy – Vietnam Veteran

Experience

• Resident Imam | Masjid As-Salaam, Columbia, SC 
  1980 - present 

• Clinical Chaplain II (Retired) | SC Department of Corrections, SC 
  1985 – 2012 

 Accomplishments 

• Accepted Islam, 1972 Atlanta, Ga. • Functioned as Lt., Captain and finally Assistant Minister Masjid Muhammad:
  Orangeburg and Florence, SC

• Became Imam: Masjid Muhammad-Florence, SC 

• Imam: Masjid As-Salaam-Columbia, SC 

• Made Hajj (the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia), 1987 

• Attended Imam Muhammad Bin Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1987 

• Member delegation of 21 Imams who traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; represented American Muslims during Desert Storm, 1991 

• Member delegation traveled with Imam Mohammed met with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat, Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and others 

• Member delegation of American Imams who traveled to the Vatican w/ Imam W. Deen Mohammed, 1999 - Imam Mohammed participated in the Jubillenium Interfaith Conference for World Peace w/ Pope John Paul II and world religious leaders incl. the Dalai Lama. Imam Mohammed also addressed the gathering of 100k at the Vatican 

Organizations/affiliations 

• Member of Religious Alliance Against Pornography (RAAP), a national interfaith organization 

• Member of Christian Action Interfaith Council of South Carolina 

• Member of Benedict College Service Learning Interfaith Community Partners 

• Member of Interfaith Partners of South Carolina (IPSC) 

Imam Rashad Abdul-Rahmaan

Rashad Abdul-Rahmaan began formal studies under the late Imam W. Deen Mohammed in the areas of Quranic Arabic, Tafsir, and Comparative Religions. He continued his studies in Philosophy and Comparative Religion in Undergrad and Islamic Studies at Madina Institute and several other local Islamic schools. From 2009-2015 he served as the Assistant Imam and Assistant Director of Education at CMS at Masjid Sultan Mohammed (Milwaukee, WI). From 2018-2019 he served as the Assistant Director of Education at Mohammed Schools of Atlanta (Atlanta, GA). He currently serves as the Assistant Imam of the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam and is the Founder and Director of The Institute of Qur’an Study and Leadership, a 3 year Qur’an study program that focuses on the Commentary & Language of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, Quranic Arabic, and Recitation. He is also the author of the book “The Message of Al-Islam”.

Imam Salahuddin A. Muhammad

Salahuddin A. Muhammad comes from rich religious traditions on both sides of his family and is a third-generation Muslim American. Salahuddin is married with three children: two girls and one boy. He has a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations from Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut. He is a Clinical Chaplain for the Bureau of Prisons. He serves as Vice President of Corrections for the Association of Muslim Chaplains. He also is the Director of the Islamic Sciences Component for the Islamic Leadership Training and Development Program (ILTDP). He authored the book America’s Imam: Warith Deen Mohammed’s Interpretation of Islam in the Milieu of American Society. Salahuddin A. Muhammad also serves as an Associate Imam at As-Salaam Islamic center, Raleigh, NC.

Imam Sulaimaan Hamed and Sister Shahidah Sharif

Imam Sulaimaan Hamed and Sister Shahidah Sharif were born and raised in America to parents in the San Francisco Bay Area and Brooklyn, NY, respectively. Imam Hamed serves as the Imam of the Atlanta Masjid of Al Islam, one of the largest Islamic centers in the South East affiliated with the community of his late teacher, Imam W.D. Muhammad. As a student of Religious Studies, he has taught Arabic and Islamic sciences at the Mohammed Schools and Islamic Theology and Islamic Law for the Faith Institute of the Atlanta Masjid.

Educated primarily in private Islamic Schools in the US , Hamed also received specialized training under the tutelage of the Grand Mufti Sheik Ahmed Kuftaro of Damascus, Syria at the Abu Nour University and completed courses in Jurisprudence , Arabic, Prophetic traditions, and Theology. His studies and teaching has afforded him travel opportunities to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Senegal.
He also served as the Imam of Masjid Fresno in California and assistant to Masjidul Waritheen of Oakland. Fluent in Arabic, he is currently the co-owner and operator of Professional Hajj and Umrah Guides, LLC, "Hajj Pros", a religious-based travel agency specializing in the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia and study abroad opportunities.

He is passionate about the improvement of Islamic institutions of education. He is noted as a respected leader in the Muslim American community often called upon to assist with programs establishing a commitment to religion for future generations. His publications include “Ramadan: The month of purification and self restraint”. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Divinity at the Claremont School of Theology and resides in Atlanta, GA with Shahidah, his wife of 18 years and children.

Shahidah Sharif attended the University of Miami and the Mosque Cares' study program at the Abu Nour University in Damascus, Syria for a 3 year intensive for Arabic language, Islamic Sciences, and dawah. She has worked in the past with the Interfaith Youth Leadership Forum in the San Francisco Bay Area,  World Pilgrims and FAMA in Atlanta serving as a program coordinator and administrator facilitating dialogue among youth and adults of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds. She currently works as the Communications Director for the Atlanta Masjid and is the co-founder and COO of Professional Hajj and Umrah Guides, LLC (Hajj Pros), organizing delegations annually for the Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah, Saudi Arabia as well as study abroad opportunities with Imam Sulaimaan. She serves on the Board of Sisters United in Human Service, Inc. and recently lead an interfaith journey with World Pilgrims of Atlanta to Arizona. She is a certified doula and currently training in midwifery.

Imam Al-Hajj Talib ‘Abdur-Rashid

Imam Al-Hajj Talib 'Abdur-Rashid is the Senoir Imam of The Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood Inc. (Harlem, NYC). He has served as a Muslim leader and teacher for more than three decades in various positions of responsibility - including the founding Deputy Ameer of MANA (the Muslim Alliance in North America), Ameer of the Majlis Ash-Shura (Islamic Leadership Council) of New York, and currently as the chairman of The Association of African American Imams (NYC).

Imam Taalib-din Uqdah

• PLANMONEY.CLUB (PMC)

2021-Present

Developing stages of online Webinar, offering insights on the language of money, generational wealth building and inheritance-building tools. Born out of an entrepreneurial program developed for the National Gang Peace initiatives of the late 90’s, into a financial literacy program made a part of a GED-course elective for former foster care children aging out of the system, How to Make, Keep, Save, Spend and Blow Money, offers a path to entrepreneurship and financial solvency. Developed and presented financial literacy lecture – "PROTECTING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BEFORE AND AFTER DEATH" – at the National Conference of Imams, October 11-13, 2019; Greensboro, NC. (Lecturer)

• GRACELINE COMMUNITY, INC.

Member/Subscriber: April 2021-Present

Non-profit formed to promote generational wealth building and financial education. Certified Subscriber by National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), eligible to hold office or sit on the board of a the (proposed) Graceline Federal Credit Union, based in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area of Florida, with an online presence.

• NORTHERN BUSBARN NEIGHBORS (NBN)

Founder/Executive Director: February 2020-Present

Environmental Justice Non-Profit

NBN was formed as a non-profit 16th St. Heights neighborhood organization to oppose the renovation and return of 150 diesel-fueled buses, a body shop and a spray paint booth to a residential community, without performing an Environmental Impact Statement. NBN has advocated for an all-electric bus fleet, in public testimony, media interviews and editorials – www.cleanbus.org (Lecturer)

• UPTOWN DEVELOPMENT

President / Executive Director: May 2002-Present

Design/Build commercial property developer, general contractor, landscaper, project manager for acquisition and construction of commercial mix-use properties – 4700-14th St,, NW / 5401-14th St., NW. Changing the character of small neighborhood serving retail, by incorporating contemporary, high-quality construction materials that are functional and sustainable. 

• 14TH STREET UPTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION (1-4 UBA)

2004-Present: Began informally as an organization uniting the business corridor in the 4600-4700 blocks of 14th St., NW, now facilitating and representing the property owners before public and private entities.

2009: We had the entire corridor, from Spring Rd. to Longfellow St., including Colorado Ave., declared a “Target Area,” making us eligible for city grants.

2010: 1-4 UBA became a 501c(3) non-profit, secured a $50K grant, establishing a “clean team” – 1-4 UBA Spot Team – where we provided skilled training to 25-neighborhood guys in urban landscaping, refurbishing 77 tree boxes along the 14th St. corridor.

2012: 1-4 UBA organized, facilitated and managed the 16TH ST. HEIGHTS SUMMER OF THE ARTS FESTIVAL, with a $25K grant from the Office of Planning.

2012-2017: Sponsored bi-weekly “Music Fest” at 14th & Crittenden, featuring local bands and solo artist.

• CORNROWS & CO.

Founder / Co-owner / CFO-Comptroller

1980-Present

First natural haircare salon in the country (USA), offering personalized service, retail/product manufacturer, book publisher and training academy. Directed the implementation, management, marketing, business and sales of the organization’s day-to-day operations, procurement and accounting activities. Managed all public relations, print, visual and radio media interviews. Cornrows & Co., Taalib-Din Uqdah and co-owner Pamela Ferrell have been featured in every major print media – magazines and newspapers – foreign and domestic, as well as visual media, local and national news – ABC 20/20 twice. (Lecturer)

Cornrows & Co. paid the legal fees of several women who, with encouragement and guidance, sued Hyatt Hotels, Marriott, Double Tree, Avis Rent-a-Car, American Airlines and others, forcing them to change their grooming policies as they related to cornrows, braids, twist and locs. (Lecturer)

2016: Featured in Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture – 4th Floor display with looping video.

• AMERICAN HAIRBRADIERS & NATURAL HAIRCARE ASSOCIATION (AHNHA)

Founder / Executive Director: 1994-2010

Created professional association lobbying state legislators, giving instruction that influenced the deregulation of the cosmetology industry. AHNHA gained exemption for African-style hair braiders from state cosmetology laws in MD, CA, NY, MI, AZ, MS, GA, KS, MN, WA, UT and DC before becoming a private consultant and lecturer on economic liberty and occupational licensing issues. (Lecturer)

• ALLIANCE OF CONCERNED MEN / RIGHTEOUS MENS COMMISSION

Member/Founding Member: 1991-1997

Worked, hands-on, with youth and adults adjudicated through the court system. Represented Washington, DC, under Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly, at the nation’s first National Gang Peace Conference, Kansas City, MO.  Negotiated truces between rival crews and gangs; established an entrepreneurial program for gang/ex-gang members and returning citizens (ex-convicts).  

• NEW AFRICA ISLAMIC COMMUNITY CENTER (NAICC)

Co-Founder / Assistant Imam / Treasurer: 2002-2019

Performed religious duties as a member of the clergy. Organized several successful fundraising awards ceremonies, banquets and special events.

• ALI KHAN ISLAMIC CENTER (AKIC)

Co-Founded as Masjid Taqwa An Nur 1996-2002

Executive Director 2021-Present / Assistant Imam 2021-Present

Managerial/administrative functions, designed to raise the community’s profile to a professional level and raise money for the specific purpose of building a masjid. Perform religious duties as a member of the clergy; Developed and presented financial literacy lecture – "PROTECTING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY BEFORE AND AFTER DEATH" – at the National Conference of Imams, October 11-13, 2019; Greensboro, NC. (Lecturer)

• ADVISIORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONER (ANC)

Single Member District (SMD) 4C01

Elected Position 1991-1992 (Chair) / 2015-2016 (Secretary)

The ANC is a non-partisan position, representing 2,000 neighborhood residents in a SMD. Our role is to meet with and be the eyes and ears of our communities at the grassroots level. Offer proposals, resolutions and public comment on District government actions, as they may relate to a specific ANC or SMD. Provide testimony at public hearings on matters pertaining to proposed legislation, zoning, construction, alcohol beverage regulation or matters that fall within the public space under DDOT regulations. (Lecturer)

Imam Dr. Talib M. Shareef, USAF-Retired

Talib M. Shareef is President and Imam of the historic, Nation's Mosque, Masjid Muhammad, in Washington, D.C., dating back to the mid-1930s. Imam Shareef, is a retired U.S. Air Force member with 30+ years of service; he has a Doctorate Degree from Global Oved Dei Seminary and University, an MBA from American Intercontinental University, a Diploma from the Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, and the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in Arabic and Middle East studies. He is a student of the late Imam W.D. Mohammed, Muslim-American Spokesman for Human Salvation.

He served as Imam in five U.S. cities and seven military locations around the world. Under the high patronage of His Majesty Mohammed VI, the King of Morocco, Imam Shareef received the Kingdom’s highest Royal Medal and honor for his outstanding interfaith leadership. He participated in the signing of the Abuja Peace Declaration organized by the International Global Peace Foundation and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution in Nigeria. He was the first Imam with military service to open a session of the U.S. Congress with prayer. He led an interfaith delegation to Italy meeting with the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Co-organized, spoke and led the historic first Islamic congregational prayer at the Washington National Cathedral. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke in several cities and met with various local, national and international leaders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He offered the opening prayer on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial for the 50th Anniversary of Dr. King’s March on Washington; key speaker at former President George H.W. Bush’s Points of Light Conference’s Faith Summit; Spoke at the South African Embassy celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life; led historic delegation to and addressed over 500,000 in South Africa; Hosted Press Conference/Panel for Presidential Candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders at the Nation’s Mosque to address religious bigotry. Spoke at Sojourner Douglass College memorial honoring human rights activist, Coretta Scott King. He addressed the ills of Human Trafficking on Capitol Hill. One of the leading voices speaking out for against terrorism and violent extremism. Facilitated Peace Forum at the Global Peace Convention in Manila, Philippines. He established the first Islamic Dietary Nutrition site for elderly members of all faiths in D.C. Councilmember for the National Summit on Non-Violence; member of the D.C. Mayor’s Interfaith Council and Chairman of the Interfaith Conference in the nation’s capital.

Imam Shareef was honored to sit with and be recognized for his service by President Barack Obama at the White House Iftar; served as keynote speaker for the Pentagon and Homeland Security Iftars, co-initiated effort that led to the U.S. Military commissioning its first Islamic Chaplain; Imam and Vice Commander of the National Muslim American Veterans Association (MAVA), Served as U.S. Imam Speaker at the World Alliance of Religions for Peace in Seoul Korea, the Global Peace Conventions/Forums in South America, N. Ireland; Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, and traveled to the Middle East for orientation on the Israeli-Palestinian Situation. He was selected Denver’s Spectrum Newspaper’s “Who’s Who” among African American Leaders, selected the Muslim Journal’s Imam of the Year Award, and recipient of the Imam W.D. Mohammed Interfaith Ambassador Award. Recipient of the NAACP Roy Wilkins Leadership Award.

Imam Tariq I. El-Amin

Imam Tariq I. El-Amin is bi-vocational, serving as the Resident Imam and Chairman of the Board of Masjid Al-Taqwa, and as a journeyman Local 1 ironworker in Chicago IL.  Imam Tariq is the former daily host/producer of Radio Islam, a nightly live talk-radio program from 2017-2020, while there he conducted hundreds of interviews on politics, social justice, interfaith cooperation, activism and more.

Imam Tariq has contributed to  interfaith and intrafaith efforts (nationally and internationally) for over 20 years. He is passionate about service, justice, teaching, and learning, and is the founder of the Chicago Black Muslim History Bus Tour, which educates attendees about the community of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed (past and present). 

Imam Tariq is a 2022 graduate of Bayan Islamic Graduate School/Chicago Theological Seminary where he completed a Master of Divinity in Islamic Chaplaincy. 

Imam Tariq Najee-ullah

Imam Tariq Najee-ullah is a religious scientist and interfaith activist who examines core religious principles of the three Abrahamic Faiths and uses them to address real-life challenges in faith, family, community and society. Tariq has an engineering background which informs his approach in searching for faith-based applications to life’s challenges. Tariq has spent the majority of his life actively engaged in the development and establishment of Islamic communities; serving in leadership positions in Muslim communities in Atlanta, Baltimore, and Washington, DC, notably serving as the Interim Resident Imam of Washington DC's oldest masjid, Masjid Muhammad. 

Tariq is a 2017 Master of Arts Georgetown University graduate with his concentration in Islam and Muslim-Christian relations through the Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. Tariq also received a graduate certificate in Arab Studies from Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies. He has completed a graduate certificate in Muslim-Christian studies from the Washington Theological Consortium by way of the Graduate School of Islamic and Social Sciences. He also has a degree in Arabic, Islamic Sciences and Islamic Jurisprudence (Sharia Law) from Shaykh Ahmad Kuftaro's Abu Nour Institute in Damascus, Syria. Tariq is a 2014 American Muslim Civic Leadership Institute(AMCLI) fellow. 

His masters thesis, titled “Evaluating the Impact of Interfaith Dialogue Between the Muslim American Society and the Catholic Church, Especially Through the Focolare Movement, from the Perspective of Indigenous Muslim Americans” examines the efficacy of dialogue in an analysis of the relationship between Imam Warith Deen Mohammed and Pope John Paul II primarily, and Imam Mohammed and Chiara Lubich of the Focolare Movement subsequently. 

Since 2014, Tariq has served as the leader of the interfaith education organization DC Musliman. This platform brings people together of various faiths to inform, educate, and hopefully solve social challenges. 

In Baltimore, Tariq serves as an assistant Imam at the Muslim Community Cultural Center of Baltimore. He is committed to engaging with interfaith efforts to promote unity and healing in the city. He is an active member of the Baltimore Jewish Council’s revamped Interfaith Trialogue, having held various dialogue events in the city over the past few years. His interfaith activities have been published and featured in the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, Jewish Times, Muslim Journal, and other blogs and publications. In his professional life as a patent agent, Tariq leads Gibraltar Consulting. He currently lives in Catonsville with his wife, Muslimah 'Ali Najee-ullah Ph.D. and their 3 children.

Imam Tyerre El Amin

Imam Tyerre El Amin was born & raised on Galveston Island, 30 miles south of Houston. He accepted AL Islam in 2002 and 4 years later was introduced to the language & scholarship of Imam WD Mohammed(RA). Imam Tyerre has trained in Houston under the leadership of Imam Wazir Ali for the past 10 years where he serves as associate Imam at both Masjid WD Mohammed & Masjid AL Qur'an Mercy Community Center. He has served in the capacity of program coordinator for multiple Islamic programs.

Imam Tyerre El Amin has always been one to participate and initiate programs that benefit the outer community as well, to educate and teach the true religion of Islam.  He is an up and coming motivational/inspirational speaker that connects intimately with the community at large and frequent lecturer throughout the city & country. His most recent accomplishment is cofounding and the program director of the Iron Man Club, Inc a non profit 501c3, a leadership development program for inner city male youth, inspired by the conceptual language and scholarship of Imam WD Mohammed. He is also the founder and director of Light of Perception, a Human Development and Thinking Modification Program. Tyerre El Amin holds a bachelor's degree from The University of Houston - Clear Lake in kinesiology and is the proud father of 2 sons, Qasim & Khalil.

Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef 

Imam Wahy-ud Deen Shareef is the third child of Laura and John Wilson’s four children; John II, Intisar and Deborah. He and his wife Helima share their lives with four children: Ronald, Anita, Shakir, and Laila; eight grandchildren: Rashonda, Ronald II, Mathew, Eric, Brandon, Brianna Aliyah, Gerelle Amir and Anissa Na’ilah; two great grandchildren: Jaylin and Kori; and many nurturing family and community members.

Imam Shareef completed his Hajj to the Ka’bah in Makkah in 1987. He represented Imam W. Deen Mohammed (raa) at the World Conference on Religion and Peace in Tokyo in 1998. He was a delegate at the historic Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations in NY in 2000. As a delegate Imam and business person, he attended the Tuskon Business Conference in Istanbul, Turkey in 2010. In 2012, he received the Peace Islands Intitute's “Peace and Understanding” Award; he attended an Iftar (breaking of the Ramadan Fast) at the White House as a guest of President Barack Obama; and he co-lead an NICHP interfaith delegation of 11 Jews, 11 Christians and 11 Muslims to Palestine/Israel. As an invited Muslim delegate, he attend the Focolare Interreligious Convention in Rome, Italy in 2014.

Imam Shareef co-founded Waris Associates Inc. in 1984, which led to the establishment of the Waris Cultural Research and Development Center and Masjid Waarith ud Deen in Irvington NJ. He is a student of Imam W. Deen Mohammed (raa) and the Imam (religious leader) of Masjid Waarith ud Deen. These organizations develop and implement spiritual, educational, recreational, cultural and social programs that address the challenges facing American families today. He also serves as the Executive Director of ComWealth Economic Development Corporation (EDC), a non-profit economic development corporation.

He is the Convener of the Council of Imams in New Jersey and co-founder of the New African Partnership between CINJ and City National Bank in Newark. He is a co-founder of the Newark Interfaith Coalition for Hope and Peace. He is a member of the NJ State Attorney General’s Outreach Advisory Council.

W. Deen Shareef is currently the President/CEO of his own consulting company, Shareef Professional Services LLC (SPS). SPS provides project, program, construction, financial and administrative management services. The company’s services include staff and workforce development, team building and project coordination for business and commercial projects from concept design through implementation.

He established and is the former Director of the Newark Port Career and Business Development Center in the Department of Economic & Housing Development in the City of Newark, New Jersey. He was responsible for business and workforce development in the areas of the airport and seaport, focusing on the transportation, logistics and distribution industries. He was a Senior Advisor to former Mayor, now Senator, Cory A. Booker representing the State of New Jersey in the United States Senate.

He gradulated from East Orange High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ. He retired after 25 years of serving as a Engineering Project Manager for Kraft/Nabisco Foods. In his position at Kraft/Nabisco he managed major capital equipment manufacturing project installations for processing and packing consumer food products and represented Kraft at a UN sponsored business development mission to the Gambia in 2002.

He is a frequently invited speaker on numerous college campuses and at corporate and public sector events. He has appeared as a commentator and contributor on several television programs presented by CNN, MSNBC (Morning Joe), ABC, PBS, NJTV and Ebru. As a consultant he serves as a director on several boards. As an inspirational speaker he conducts lectures, workshops, counseling, education and training programs for organizational and project management, ethical and moral guidance, personal and professional management, social responsibility and how to achieve productive ethically, intellectually, spiritually, and materially balanced lives.

Imam Dr. Wazir Ali

Imam Dr. Wazir Ali is the Imam of the historic Masjid Warithud-Deen Mohammed and Masjid Al-Qur'an in Houston, Texas. Both communities have experienced unprecedented growth under Imam Dr. Ali's leadership. Masjid Warithud-Deen Mohammed built a new state of the art facility in 2010 and is in the planning stages of the construction of a community center and a senior housing complex. Imam Dr. Ali is a founding member of Masjid Al-Qur'an. Under Imam Dr. Ali's leadership the average weekly Jum'ah attendance grew from 10 to over 500.

Imam Dr. Ali completed an eight year mentorship program in Islamic Studies, comparative religion and Masjid administration under the guidance of Imam Qasim Ahmed. Imam Ali is also a student of the preeminent American Muslim scholar, the late Imam Warithud-Deen Mohammed (may Allah have mercy on him).

Imam Dr. Ali, an entrepreneur, kinesiologist, registered dietitian and board certified specialist in geriatric nutrition, owns a private nutrition consulting firm in Houston. Imam Dr. Ali is also the interim director of the dietetics program and a clinical instructor at Texas Southern University. His current academic research interests are energy needs for maintenance hemodialysis, sleep apnea related obesity and obesity treatment/prevention.

Imam Ali holds a Doctorate degree in clinical nutrition from Rutgers University, a Master of Science degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas Pan American, and Bachelor of Science degrees in nutrition and psychology from the University of Houston.

Imam Yahya Abdullah

Imam Yahya Abdullah is the Imam of The Islamic Association of Desoto, Texas, founded in 2002.  He was Imam of The Dallas Masjid for 18 years and established a full time Sister Clara Mohammed School in 1983.

He performed Hajj to Mecca, Saudi Arabia in October 1981. Imam Abdullah attended the Arabic Language Program at the Saudi Academy in Washington, D.C. in 1987, where he was class valedictorian.

Imam Abdullah was a presenter at the 11th Annual Dawah Conference held in Cairo, Egypt at Al-Azhar University in 1988.

In 1988, he co-produced a nationally aired documentary, The Hajj, Pilgrimage to Mecca.  In that same year, he founded African-American Men Against Narcotics (AAMAN), a group dedicated to drug prevention and rehabilitation, and was also featured in a nationally acclaimed documentary on PBS entitled War on Drugs.  Imam Abdullah is the author of four books; Elements of Progressive Leadership, Dynamics of African-American Male Development – Manhood Training Curriculum Outline, Religion is the Solution to the Crime Problem in America and Developing the Human Potential.

Imam Abdullah visited Saudi Arabia with Imam W. Deen Mohammed on four occasions, March 1990, September 1990, January 1991 and February 1991. 

In 1995, he was a co-sponsor and organizer of the ‘Dallas Acts Kind’ week, whose participants included Imam W. Deen Mohammed, Mrs. Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King III.

In 1998, he organized and co-sponsored a major conference on diversity, ‘Future Global Trends of the 21st Century’.

In 2006, Imam Abdullah and the Muslims of Masjid Muhammed, Bermuda, organized and founded BAN (Bermudians Against Narcotics), a community protest and intervention group dedicated to eradicating illegal drugs from the island paradise of Bermuda. 

Over the past 25 years, Imam Abdullah has participated in numerous interfaith dialogues with Christians, Muslim, Jews and other faiths, within Texas, across the United States and Bermuda. 

He is the recipient of numerous awards and proclamations. President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush were among those who presented him with community service awards.

He assisted Imam W. D. Mohammed with Group Volume Buy imports from China. Group Volume Buy successfully imported two thousand high quality men’s business suits in May 2008. Group Volume Buy will also import women’s clothing and accessories. He is presently continuing the business initiatives of Imam W. Deen Mohammed.

Imam Abdullah is a frequent lecturer throughout the United States and the Caribbean at colleges, universities, radio/television stations and banquets. He has traveled extensively and has lived in the African countries of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Zaire and Egypt.

He is currently involved in the development of an Islamic Community on eight acres of land in Desoto, Texas. The community will consist of a Masjid (mosque), school, cultural center, housing, businesses and an assisted living facility for the elderly.

Imam Yusuf Saleem

Mr. Yusuf Saleem is recognized as a dynamic leader in the American Society of Muslims who identify with the late Imam W. D. Mohammed. Yusuf Saleem is a graduate of Howard University, where he received the Bachelor of Arts and Master ofEducation Degrees. He served as resident Imam of Masjid Muhammad as well as Director of Education at the Clara Muhammad School in Washington, D.C.  from 1990 –2010. Teacher Saleem has taught in Catholic, Public, and Muslim school settings and has taught and has held positions of principal. teacher, and professor.

Professor Saleem was appointed by Imam W. D. Mohammed  as the National Director of Education for the American Society of Muslims’ School System for the period of 2000 to May 2003. During the first four months of his term as Director, Professor Saleem visited over 15 full-time Clara Muhammad Schools located across the nation to assess their overall status and to determine the steps needed for integration into a school system, the first of its kind to exist in this country.

Imam Saleem has been a presenter on Islamic Education and the universal aspects of education at schools, churches, and forums, and also at the yearly national Islamic Conventions.

In March of 1990, Professor Saleem accompanied a national delegation of educators to Saudi  Arabia at the invitation of King Fard, Custodian of the two Holy Places (Mecca and Medina). The delegation had the rare opportunity to enter and view the interior of The Ka’abah, which very few Muslims have experienced.

In July and August of 1997, Imam Saleem and his wife accompanied a delegation of young Muslim men and women to the country of Malaysia at the request of Imam W. D. Mohammed. For two weeks, their itinerary took them on many formal and informal visits. The Muslim Youth Group, ABIM, hosted them.

After the brutal attacks on America in September of 2001, Imam Saleem met with President Bush and other Muslim leaders to condemn the attacks and to present a unified front against terrorism. Acting as spokesman for the meeting, his remarks, along with the President’s , helped to deter the attacks, and clarified for the American people the peaceful nature of the religion of Islam. Consequently, On October 24, 2001, the leadership of the U. S. Senate was prompted to invite Imam Saleem to speak on Islam at their weekly Prayer Breakfast (the first guest speaker in 50 years). He also formally opened the U. S. Senate with prayer, following in the footsteps of the invocation given by Imam W. D. Mohammed in 1992. By invitation of the first Muslim Congressman, Keith Ellison (Democrat-Minneapolis, Minnesota), Imam Saleem has the singular, distinct honor of being the only Imam to open both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives (September 25, 2007).

In recognition of Imam Saleem’s hard work and dedication, the National Capital Area branch of the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) recognized him as a Community Leader in May of 2002. In August 2002, Imam Saleem joined other Faith Clergy in receiving the First Mayoral Clergy Award, presented by Anthony A. Williams, Mayor of Washington, D. C. In September of 2002, The American Society of Muslims selected him as the Muslim Man of the Year for 2002.

Metropolitan Police Department Chief Charles H. Ramsey appointed Imam Yusuf Saleem as the first Chaplain of the Islamic Faith to the Washington D. C. Police Department.

Imam Saleem is married to Maryam Saleem, also an educator, and they have four adult offspring. Yusuf Saleem always gives credit to Allah for any successes and strives to serve Allah by serving humanity.

Kalimah Azeez Rashada

Kalimah Azeez Rashada is a native of Chicago, Illinois. She was born and raised Muslim into a strong and beautiful family in the community of Imam W. Deen Mohammed. At the age of thirteen, Kalimah was chosen by Imam W. Deen Mohammed to be one of twelve students to participate in his weekend Youth Dawah Class. During this class, Kalimah diligently studied Qur’anic Arabic, Islamic studies, and comparative religion for the last 8 years of Imam Mohammed’s life.

In addition to Kalimah’s love and passion for the religion of Al-Islam, she has a great interest in human psychology. She studied social psychology and strategic communications at Northern Illinois University. Kalimah takes her love and understanding of the religion of Al-Islam and shares it through many mediums such as: teaching, art, poetry, lectures, and writing.

In 2009, Kalimah taught 2nd grade at the Clara Mohammed School located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The following year she moved to Senegal, West Africa and was instrumental in the opening of a school with members of the United Nations.

Kalimah’s community involvement consists of serving as Chair of the Midwest Leadership Team, and she was recently appointed to the position of Program Manager for American Muslim Advisory Council [AMAC] in Memphis, TN. On April 29, 2016, Kalimah graduated from Shelby County’s Citizens University under Mayor Mark H. Luttrell Jr. Kalimah wants nothing more than to see her people uphold the covenant that G-D has given them and liberate the world from the schemes of Satan. She tirelessly works and spends of her wealth and human capital to be a catalyst to bring about G-d’s will here in the United States of America.

Her special talents are writing, painting and calligraphy. She is currently working on starting her own business servicing the community. Kalimah was recently married in January 2016 to Na’eem Rashada of Memphis, TN.

Chaplain Sabah Tahir-Muhammad

Sabah wishes to open her BIO with a quote from Imam W. Deen Muhammad’s book, “ An African American GENESIS”

A purpose in Life

God has given us  a purpose. And the highest purpose is to fulfill community, not personal life.  The highest purpose for man is to fulfill community life under God as He intended.  You might ask, “How can I know how God intended my life to be.”  You have to trust Revelation, trust what God has revealed.  If you don’t have any trust in that, then use your good sense: study what God has created and made possible for you as a created being, or study your own creation.  If you don’t believe there is a Creator, then study your own creation and see what your own creation holds for you as a possibility for excellence,  progress, social and community responsibility. By just studying that, you will come to excellence because God has not created you inferior. God has created the human being as creatures of great excellence.

Sabah is the Muslim Chaplain for the largest female prison in the world. She has been a Chaplain for the 2 noted female prisons in the State of California. The facility commonly known as “Chowchilla” has the capacity to house 4000 female inmates, currently there are 3600. This facility also has 27 inmates housed in what is also called “Condemed Housing” commonly referred to as Death Row, waiting to be put to death. There is also the unit SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility). Th After being committed in the  visits Sabah was appointed Comfort Care Chaplain out of five faith based Chaplains. Responsible for providing memorials for the deceased inmates and the follow up process of grief/closure for those inmates assigned to care for the dying. Chaplain assigned  the daily task of Crisis Counseling, Suicide Intervention, Grief and Loss Counseling. In this prison, there are more than 100 active women who study Islam, fast during Ramadan, read the Quran, studying Arabic, wearing hijab and supporting the efforts of the Chaplain when absent. Many of which are long term sentences (lifers). Sabah was awarded out of 880 employees the post of being chosen to represent State Employees at the 2018 National Women Working in Law Enforcement and Department of Juvenile Justice Conference in California State Capital most suitable choice 3 day conference.

Sabah also served as a Deputy for nearly a decade in the State of Louisiana.  Sabah implemented Re Entry Programs as she served as Deputy for the local Sheriff’s Office. Sabah became a Post Certified Peace Officer, gaining membership with the National Sheriff’s Association, gained dual roles as Correctional Officer.  Louisiana awarded Sabah the task of being the Drug Court Treatment Director for the Louisiana Supreme Court as her task under the Direction of Sheriff’s office Chief of Staff. This included LA Risk Management Models for Mind Altering Substances Treatment, Sabah has performed as a skilled Public relations staff, Technical support and excellent managerial skills. Expert in workplace culture, teaching workplace ethics, staff training best practices for team building and development of team cohesiveness.  Currently possess a TWIC (Transportation Workers Identification Credential) to provide services Governmental Post ie; Port / Border Control Police, and State Security Certified   expert in the implementation of project objectives Post Certified Correctional Officer, CERT Member, Certified Search and Rescue, Suicide Intervention/Prevention.

Shahidah Sharif

Shahidah Sharif has always envisioned herself as a helper of people, a speaker of truth, and a global citizen. She has an extensive background in Islamic education and community service from a young age. She began working with organizations and schools such as Muslim Youth of North America and Clara Mohammed School of South Florida, Oakland, CA, and Atlanta. She has also worked with the Islamic Society of the University of Miami and United Youth Leadership Forum of the Bay Area. She studied for three years at the Abu Nour University in Damascus through the Mosque Cares with a focus on the Arabic language and the Islamic Sciences. She currently serves on the Board of Sisters United in Human Service, Inc, as the Communications Director of the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, and is co-founder and COO of Professional Hajj and Umrah Guides, LLC, organizing delegations annually with her husband for the Hajj (pilgrimage) to Makkah, Saudi Arabia and study abroad opportunities. She currently resides in the East Atlanta neighborhood with her husband Imam Sulaimaan Hamed, son Sultaan, and her daughter Saaliha.

Imam Omar Abdul Karim

Imam Omar Abdul Karim is Executive Director of The Ephraim Bahar Cultural Center (EBCC). I’m married and the father of six adults. I attended loop junior college in Chicago for one year, and then western IL University both from 1979-1982 where my major was computer science. I owned my own painting Co from 1987-1991. I gave it up to work for Argonne National Laboratory until today.

In 1992 I was introduced to Masjid Al Mu’minun which was on 8607 1/2 south Ashland Ave, and at that time There I begin my studies of Al Islam under the tutelage of imam Sultan Salahuddin. There I became a member and volunteer. Over time I was appointed Dawah coordinator; I worked as a community organizer where I helped establish our first walk for moral excellence in 1993. I worked in prison ministry at the cook county jails. I was elected to the board and within a couple of years I became board president and after a few more years I was assigned to position of assistance Imam.

Imam Sultan reintroduced me to Imam Mohammed and his community 1992, I became a supporter and student of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed.

I volunteered as a videographer for Imam Mohammed for 25 years to help promote his message through a television program which I developed and produced called A New Mind at CAN TV in Chicago.

I became the Imam/Director of The Ephraim Bahar Cultural Center in 2013. In which I teach Al Islam and help to raise funds to support EBCC programs.

Over the years I’ve helped the Community of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed in many capacities through EBCC. Right now, the EBCC have an investment education class where we educated people on how to build wealth through investing and trading in the stock market.

My future goals are to establish programs at the EBCC that will help cultivate and inspired old and young minds by creating programs such as Islamic studies classes, science and technology, leadership development, and business development that will service the community,

I believe in uplifting the moral value of human life through empowering and inspiring the human potential.

Imam Abdul Azeez

Imam Abdul Azeez is The Resident Imam Of Al Masjidu Adam Community Life Center for Human Excellence , Bronx NY. He is an executive Board Member of Community wide Shura Confrence  CWSC he is The Director of the CWSCʼs National Leadership Advisory Council and The National Ambassador Program he is also an AM360 talk show host. He is a Muslim chaplain, the president and founder of Ash Shifaa Inc. Editor and Chief of Our Narrative Publications and Author of “Master Bilal”. He is the Founder of the Community life Center for Human Excellence (Abdul Qadir Dixon ) Senior / Youth Center. He is the Founder of The Pioneer Nation Network PNN and the Youth Nation Network YNN . He is the Director of Halal inspections training and Auditing for NY Majlis Ashura.  The Halal certifying inspector with  NY Dept of Agriculture.The North East Regional Supervisor for Halal Watch World.  The President of Ashshifaa inc  Halal integrity Enforcement. He is the   Imam for Al rayaan muslim funeral services and the Founder and Funeral Director for the Melvin Hassan Sparks  Aftercare Center Bronx New York.  He is The founder and Executive Director of The Al Hajjah Fajr Tyson Halal Food/Clothing Distribution Pantry Bronx New York.

Founder of Dawa Made Easy. The newly Elected co-Conveyner of the New York branch of MABL  Muslm Alliance for Black Lives

He is a frequent guest speaker at Islamic institutions and interfaith events. Frequent writer and Board Member for Muslim Journal.. and program contributor to ITV Islamic Television.

Imam Abdul Azeez is The former Arabic instructor for Sister Clara Muhammad / Elijah Muhammed Junior High School at Brooklynʼs Masjid Abdul Muhsi; former vice president of WCAI Westchester Coalition Against Islamophobia; Associate Imam of Interfaith Associates.  He is the halal certification inspector/ trainer for the NY Department of Education a BA student in Islamic studies & counseling at Islamic Online University. He formerly served as Associate Imam ,dawah and education director for Yusuf Shah, Islamic Center NY. He accepted Al-Islam as a teenager and began listening to Imam Dr. W. D. Mohammedʼs encouraging words. To fulfill his desire for a comprehensive religious education, he applied to Islamic schools, but was turned away because of finances; however, such difficulties did not stop him. He studied from the same curriculum books and was rewarded greatly for his effort. Between 1993-present ,Imam Azeez taught Arabic, Sirah, Tajweed, Quranic vocabulary, Tafseer,Hadeeth  anthology and fiqh at Masjid Abdullah in Massachusetts under Imam Al- ameen Muhammed . During this period, he gained a profound appreciation for Imam Mohammed ‘s insights that opened the door to realizing the importance of ijtihaad for Him. With encouragement from Imam Ibraheem Raheem, Azeez began drawing critical links between Imam Mohammedʼs commentary and the classical Islamic sciences. He also began translating statements and concepts from Imam Dr WD Mohammed rh into the Arabic language The study of Arabic also became the medium by which a strong relationship was formed between Imam Abdul Azeez and  Imam Qasim Ahmad rh Imam Azeez is a frequent guest khatib and speaker at various masaajid in New York ,Connecticut New Jersey ,Philadelphia Washington DC , Massachusetts Miami Florida and North Carolina he speaks at churches Universities and other organizations on alternatives to violence and Islamic Ethics. He is a writer, contributor to Muslim Journal, an AM360 radio host for the program Maeeyah ala kulli haal or Togetherness Under All Circumstances, and supports many organizations including NASIM Confrence Mosques Cares NMBC Muslim Journal Focalore and WDM Publications and advocates for both senior and youth causes. He has also works with MAS , MANA, MUNA,and ICNA  MABL AAAMI TOPICS and Trainings include HIV awareness COVID 19  outreach ,Intra- faith & Interfaith, Senior services African American Contribution to Al Islam Youth and Senior Advocacy, Youth Mentoring,Combating Islamaphobia, Marriage in Islam, Arabic Language, Halal Diet, Clinical Pastoral Care, Islamic Ethics, Violence in America; and Legacy of Imam Dr. W.D. Mohammed.

Imam Mikal Hammad Shabazz

Imam Mikal Hammad Shabazz is a Muslim chaplain, community leader, and educator who has served in various positions in Portland, Oregon, and beyond. He is known for his advocacy work on behalf of marginalized communities and for his efforts to build interfaith understanding and cooperation.

Imam Mikal lead the community transition from the Nation of Islam to the community of Al-Islam as a student and follower of Imam W.D. Mohammed. Imam Mikal served his community as resident imam of the Muslim Community Center of Portland for approximately 20 years. 

Imam Mikal has worked for the City of Portland's Bureau of Development Services, where he provided counseling and spiritual guidance to employees and community members. He has also served as Director of the Oregon Islamic Chaplains Organization, where he trained and certified Muslim chaplains to work in hospitals, prisons, and other institutions.

In addition to his chaplaincy work, Imam Mikal is a sought-after speaker and educator on a range of topics related to Islam and interfaith relations. He has taught courses on Islam and Muslim cultures at high schools, universities, and religious institutions throughout the State of Oregon. Imam Mikal is also active in several community and social justice organizations, and he has been recognized for his contributions to promoting diversity and inclusion in the Portland area. He is a strong advocate for social justice and has been actively involved in advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, including the Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities, immigrants, refugees, and people experiencing homelessness.

Imam Mikal is currently serving his community as Founder and director of Inner city Muslim American Movement And Associates (IMAMAA) a Muslim family resources and community engagement organization.

Imam Adéyínká “Muhammad” Mendes, aka Adé

Adéyínká “Muhammad” Mendes, aka Adé, is a son of Dayton, Ohio, born to a Christian African-American mother and a theist Nigerian father in 1975. His mother is a retired attorney who fought against workplace discrimination and his late father was a physician who found immense joy in being a means to heal the sick. Respecting and appreciating diverse religions and cultures was a core value in their home.

In 1982, his parents sold their suburban home and relocated to Lagos, Nigeria. There he experienced the wisdom, elegance, and healing power of traditional African living, and witnessed people of different religions coexisting peacefully.

Imam Mendes returned with his family to Houston, Texas, in 1989 for high school.  In 1993, following a life-changing journey to Jerusalem, he felt called to embrace Islam, the Way of Love and Path of the Prophets. After attending Morehouse College and the Ohio State University, he traveled around the world studying Classical Arabic, theology, sacred jurisprudence, contemplative arts, and the science of spiritual illumination from living masters in Syria, Sudan, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, and Senegal. He has been teaching these and other sacred sciences since 2001 and continues to study with scholars.

Imam Mendes worked as an educator and award-winning sales executive before discovering his mission to serve as an Imam dedicated to the liberation of the human spirit in 2010. He is the founder of The Nibras Foundation, the Bilal Spiritual Center for Peace and the Arts, as well as co-founder of the African-American Healing, Ancestry, and Development (AHAD) Collective. Adé speaks nationally and internationally on Quranic Spirituality, Youth and Adult Rites of Passage, Peace-building, and the healing wisdom of Black Muslim cultures and civilizations. His research interests include the metaphysics of Blackness, political implications of mystical poetry, the history and adaptations of Islam in Black Africa and the African diaspora, Muslim-led anti-slavery revolts in the Americas, and the intersectionality of race, gender, and religion. He also translates sacred literature, teaches at retreats, and helps build communities of simple, natural, and sacred living.

Imam Mendes served as Imam at Masjid al-Mo’mineen and the Madina Institute Masjid in Georgia and as both Imam and Scholar-in-Residence at the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton in New Jersey. He currently serves on the advisory boards of Goodtree Institute and the Islamic Society for Holistic Education and teaches regularly with CelebrateMercy, Wasat, and the Rumi Center for Spirituality and the Arts.   He is a recipient of the Center for Global Muslim Life "2020 Spiritual Impact Award" and his latest work, The Spirits of Black Folk: Sages Through the Ages, a translation of Imam al-Suyuti’s text on early Black Muslim luminaries is due to be released in 2021, God willing. Imam Mendes currently resides in New Jersey with his spouse Rukayat Yakub, a Montessori educator and award-winning children’s author, along with their seven lovely children.

Salahuddin A. Muhammad

Salahuddin A. Muhammad comes from rich religious traditions on both sides of his family and is a third-generation Muslim American. Salahuddin is married with three children: two girls and one boy. He has a master’s degree in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations from Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut. He is a Clinical Chaplain for the Bureau of Prisons. He serves as Vice President of Corrections for the Association of Muslim Chaplains. He also is the Director of the Islamic Sciences Component for the Islamic Leadership Training and Development Program (ILTDP). He is the newly elected Mid-Atlantic Section Convener for the Community of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed. He authored the book America’s Imam: Warith Deen Mohammed’s Interpretation of Islam in the Milieu of American Society. Salahuddin A. Muhammad is also an Associate Imam at As-Salaam Islamic Center, Raleigh, NC.

Imam Dr. Bashir Ali, National Convener of Imams

Imam Dr. Bashir Ali serves as the Midwest Section Convener and National Convener of Imams in association with the Community of Imam W. Deen Mohammed. He has also been the Resident Imam and President of the Muslim Education & Community Association (MECA) of Peoria, Illinois since 1993. He became a member of the Nation of Islam in 1970. Since 1975, he has been a student of Imam W. Deen Mohammed. In addition to his responsibilities as a resident Imam, Bashir has served in leadership roles for community organizations, and state and national professional associations. He has also served as a state and federal prison Chaplain.

As an Islamic community leader, Imam Dr. Ali writes books and lectures throughout the country on the Qur’anic foundations of developing model Muslim communities and “Fitrah-The Natural Pattern for Our Development” (his upcoming book). Recognizing the need to cultivate a new generation of community leaders, he has been instrumental in developing the current Islamic Leadership Training and Development Program (ILTDP). Dr. Ali also acts as the team leader for the Community Leadership component of the ILTDP.

In his capacity as Midwest and National Convener, Imam Dr. Ali has had the opportunity to work with Imams and other community leaders across the region and country to develop leadership skills, training programs, and community development initiatives. He has worked collaboratively with community leaders to create the annual Imams’ Conferences, Midwest Leadership Conferences, and Community Leadership Summits to address critical areas of community life and development; develop the institutions of community governance and leadership; and develop the skill-sets of Imams and Islamic community leaders.

Bashir grew up in Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois in Architecture. He began his career as an Architectural Engineer. He retired in 2012 as the Director of Workforce Development for Central Illinois. He has also been director of a community-based organization and a community college administrator. For thirty years Bashir was a recognized leader in economic, workforce and community development and has been the recipient of numerous international, national, and state awards. He received his Doctoral degree from Global Oved Dei Seminary and University. [ bali@iltdp.com | 309-208-2847 ]

Tariq Ameer

Tariq Ameer’s journey began with the Muslim Student’s Association at Morehouse College, in Atlanta, GA.  It was here that he began to study with local teachers including Shaykh Muhammad Mendes and Ustadh Jamal Ud-Deen Hysaw.  He would eventually follow the path of his teacher Jamal Hysaw to Tarim, Yemen where he would spend a year studying at the Badr Language Institute and eventually Dar Al-Mustafa.  Upon his return back to the states he continued his studies with local teachers in person and online including Dr. Khalil Abdur Rashid, Dr. Shadee El-Masry, Shaykh Farid Dingle, Shaykh Hamza Karamali, Ustadha Zaynab Ansari and Dr. Abu Zayd. Throughout his studies he has been given permission to teach in various sciences including Fiqh, Aqīdah and Hadīth.  In 2022 he also completed his Masters of Divinity in Islamic Chaplaincy. Currently he is working as a prison chaplain with the New Jersey Department of Corrections and a per diem chaplain with Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, while teaching with the MECCA Center based out of NY as well as the Islamic Center of Ewing.

Okolo Rashid

Okolo Rashid born in Mississippi, the daughter of sharecroppers, and grew up in America’s turbulent era of overt racism and segregation. She has, thus, been a life-long advocate of human dignity, social and economic justice, and racial harmony. After graduating from Hinds Junior College (now Hinds Community College) in 1970, among the handful of African Americans who integrated it, and earning degrees in economics and public policy at Tougaloo College and Jackson State University, respectively, Okolo has had a varied career. A community activist, organizer, and historic preservation advocate, she has worked primarily with inner-city communities and grassroots organizations, for much of her life.

Okolo is currently President and Co-founder of the International Museum of Muslim Cultures (IMMC). She is also the founder and director of IMMC’s Islamic Thought Institute. IMMC is American’s first Muslim Museum, which opened in Jackson, Mississippi, April 2001. It was through Okolo’s vision that IMMC was born—a vision that comprises activism and an inclusive world view where human dignity, individual worth, and freedom are core values. In January 2004 Okolo and her husband, Sababu, traveled to the Republic of Mali, West Africa, where they negotiated a partnership with the Mamma Haidara Memorial Library of Timbuktu. Through this partnership they were successful in bringing back ancient manuscripts from Timbuktu for the groundbreaking international, one-of-a-kind Legacy of Timbuktu Exhibition, to Jackson, Mississippi, and America.

Okolo and Sababu are very active in the Metro Jackson Islamic and interfaith communities. Okolo was featured in two books: The Face Behind the Veil: The Extraordinary Lives of Muslim Women in America , by Donna Gekrke-White in 2006; and Liberating Minds Liberating Society: Black Women in the Development of American Culture and Society, edited by Lopez D. Matthews, Jr. and Kenvi C. Phillips in 2014. Living through Mississippi’s turbulent ‘60s, it was in 1976 that Okolo and Sababu embraced Islam and have sought to live out their faith among family, friends, and neighbors, embracing many faith traditions. They have four children: a son, Ismail; three daughters: Khadijah, Maryam, and Aseelah; ten grandchildren, and a great-grandson and daughter.