Local Imams face challenges to connect
March 5, 2010 by Kalthoom Bouderdaben · 22 Comments
Sheikh Waleed Basyouni Ph.D, Imam of Clear Lake Islamic Center
What is the best characteristic your imam has?
Here are a few first responses to some of the prominent Masajids of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH).
“He’s really approachable,” Hira Sheriff from Woodland’s Masjid Al-Ansaar said.
“They answer questions and really break down the ahadith and make them more relative to everyday life,” Najeem Bajudu said about the imams at Masjid At-Taqwa and Masjid Mumineen.
“He’s really nice; you don’t feel weird going up and talking to him,” Anum Abbasi from Masjid At-taqwa said.
“He gives good advice and he’s always available if you need him,” Muqaddas Sarwar from Masjid Bilal said.
Imams play an important role in the Muslim world. They are mediators between arguments, advisors, community leaders, khateebs, mentors and teachers. They serve as the backbone of strength within the Muslim community.
Yet, there is a growing problem in Houston Masaajids with imams failing to connect with their communities and primarily the youth, and some say it is a combination of a lack of resources and the community not finding imams to play a significant role.
Javed Rehman from Masjid Hamza says the best kinds of imams are those who have a balance of eastern and western values.
“(They should) speak English, ideally have been raised here for most of their life and know the Deen,” Rehman said. “But not the cultural aspects that many imams have and pass off as the Deen.”
In essence, a good imam doesn’t just say “haram, haram, haram,” or “halal, halal, halal” but someone who understands the shades of gray the youth occupy and they accept those hues, Rehman said.
But, speaking better English is just one way for an imam to connect better within their locaility. Falah Adnan from Masjid As-Sabireen believes regular youth programs are another kind of investment for imams.
Without the potential hook from youth programs the youth would probably not speak with their imam, and that youth exposure will help the imam adapt to speaking and relating better to the next generation, Adnan said.
“Imams that are more youth oriented are found in masjids where there are youth programs,” Adnan said.
However, one thing everyone agrees on is availability of their Imam.
Imam Mamdouh Mahmoud fromMasjid Al-Ansaar (Woodlands) at the start of the masjid's construction.
“He’s probably the easiest to approach,” Adilah Yelton from Masjid Al-Ansaar said. “I can shoot him an email or pull him aside after prayer.”
Hasan Goplani from Masjid Sabireen agrees his imam is almost always available, but the youth do not often approach him, and it may have something to do with the cultural difference.
“He’s Egyptian and the main body of (our) community is Pakistani,” Goplani said. “The youth might go to a few elders in the community. I go to him for questions of fiqh—but for other questions, I go to scholars that I feel can communicate better.”
However, the lack of connection between the Imam and his locality may also come from not knowing one another, Adnan said.
“(The) youth go to sheikhs more than imams,” Adnan said.
Shuyookh such as, Yasir Qadhi, Waleed Basyouni, and Isam Rajab, before he left, connect better with the youth because they are well known by most, and likewise, the youth find it easy to share personal problems in pursuit of advice, Adnan said.
Although personal connections matter in how approachable an Imam can be, being technology-savvy like Sheikh Mamdouh of Masjid Al-Ansaar is just another way for Imams to connect better with their masjid members Rehman said.
“You can call him whenever and he responds,” Rehman said. “He has Facebook, email, he’ll respond to texts. But you can just post something on his Facebook wall and he’ll reply.”
Criticisms of the masjid imams also run along the lines of cosmetic details—problems with presentation or speech, and it poses a barrier in communication.
And a little more English would be good both Abbasi and Gopalani agreed.
But in the scope of the issue, Imams have become a kind of endangered species.
“We need new imams, but unfortunately, there are none forthcoming,” Rehman said. “Advertising attractive incentive packages and competitive pay key towards recruiting Imams who can relate to our community.”
When asked about ISGH hiring practices of imams ISGH President Aziz Siddiqi said the person at the head of the committee for Imams, Vice President Farooq Malik, is out of town.
“He’s the one who would know,” Siddiqi said.
When asked if there are any committee members or other relevant persons such as himself who would be able to comment on the status of our Imams, Siddiqi said Malik is the only one who can answer our questions and didn’t comment otherwise.
Despite all, some realize how troubling it can be when you’re at the top of the community and their imams practice what they preach, try to be active and are just like anyone else.
“The sheikhs are normal people and people forget that. They have problems like everyone else. They’re not perfect. People put a lot of pressure on them,” Yelton said.
I’ve contacted my shura about the lack of a full time imam at my Masjid (Masjid Hamza) (one that is approachable nonetheless)….no response….
It really leaves the imagination to wander when the Shura does not respond to imperative questions such as the one I posed. What are they doing about it? and the scarier question, ARE they doing anything about it? Guess we’ll have to wait for part two of this article huh? Or a response to my email. Let’s see which one comes first.
Concerning the vacant positions:
Apparently, a few potential imams have actually applied to the masajid for the jobs, but the councils have taken too much time to respond. Personally, I applied for a position and haven’t received any response from the director for over a month; meanwhile, in other communities that I’ve contacted, I’ve received a response within a day. A friend of mine had a similar occurrence in another ISGH masjid; the delay led him to take up a position in another city.
With so much red tape/delay, it also makes one wonder whether a position with such an organization would be fruitful or not.
wallahu a’lam.
I like how the article is focusing on ISGH imaams yet has a picture for the imam of a totally different organization. Implying anything much?
Sh. Walled is NOT part of ISGH!
thats what I said….
that’s such a tiny tiny detail that I feel like you all are magnifying?
He’s still an imam? I get that he’s not part of ISGH but maybe they just used a photo for the sake of using a photo?
I don’t know, I still think the bigger issue here is to have our imams have more of a relationship with their communities.
Magnifying on such a small detail almost insignificant detail seems like you’re missing the whole point of the story?
I was alluding to a greater point than just the picture. The point is an organization needs to be effective in bringing Imaams that the community needs as this article pointed out those who are well-versed in Islamic studies (of course), yet can speak our language and are approachable. If an organization were doing that then we wouldn’t need to have various different centers and organizations. Do you see what I’m saying?
and I’m not saying anything against the Imaams or any imaams in specific. I am trying to go back to the root of the problem. Who brings in our imaams? When we can answer that question then we are halfway to the solution. bi idhnillah. AND I don’t think its a shortage of imaams. WAllahu A’lam.
ISGH has let go about half their Imams, I wonder why it’s so fishy.
Shura members are so reluctant to answer questions from the community. People are being denied the right to learn or teach in the masjid due to personal issues with our Shaykhs. The ISGH volunteers working at polls CHEAT and RIG the elections, and yes I have witnessed this by Allah.
May Allah guide us and forgive us, and let the truth be known.
Shaykh Isam was an awesome Imam. Any question I had, I’d shoot him an email, and a response would be in my inbox within 24 hours, mashaAllah.
If only ISGH would have sponsored him so that he could come back into the country… but QadrAllah wa ma sha fa’al, he has done so many great things in his time outside the US, so surely Allah had different plans for him!
agreed. He was one of the approachable imams. masha Allah.
Our masajid and the community members are paying the price for lack of imams for whatever reason. may Allah aid us.
By far the most effective imam in Houston is Sheik Zubair, I have not seen any imam that leaves his home masjid to go to other masajid on regular basis to teach others, i know there are some but not as involved as him.
Thanks to Shura members and since the election is getting close they want to silent sheik Zubair by not allowing him to teach in the ISGH masajids.
I hardly doubt ISGH isn’t allowing Sh.Zoubair to teach in masjids because of how great he is in spreading his knowledge to the people.
But it’s a legal issue for ISGH?
http://www.houstonmuslimsonline.com/index.php?main_page=document_general_info&cPath=32&products_id=48
Reslotion (iv)
Br. Zoubir Bouchikhi is hereby disallowed to perform any and all voluntary services at any ISGH Center/Masjid/Facility.
I severely question the legal argument that ISGH has been claiming. Volunteering is so far away from a hired position of any kind that would get them in the trouble they so fear. Their arguments are really lacking strength. So for whatever reason they are doing this to our sheikh, its hurting him and its hurting us and that is simply intolerable Islamically and humanely.
and in the end, its also hurting them. They are losing a lot of credibility. Do you think people will trust them to make the right decisions in the future? It’s more than just a “my sheikh” issue. This has made a lot of people wake up and realize, hey, we need to get involved and make things better. insha Allah.
That is exactly why we must tell people to go register to be a member in ISGH. Many people complain, about whats going on in that organization. But sadly, its a reflection of our community. Sh.Zoubir tells everyone to go and vote. We must do something, if all we do is sit around and complain and do nothing. Are we any better than them? Are we fulfilling our responsibilities as a muslim in our community, are we enjoining in the good and forbidding the evil? wAllahu Alam.
Voting is the best way to get these guys out unless they cheat like they did last year (No comments yet), but we can do something this Saturday March 20, 2010 by being present in the main center (3110 Eastside Street) to show our protest against some of the shura members and maybe they will fear us since they do not fear Allah (SW).
We can change the ISGH and make a better place for all ages, spread the word. Jazakom Allah Khairan.
Solution, move down to Clear Lake and come to the Clear Lake Islamic Center
In seriousness though i would like to note the following
1) Half of Houston masjids are non ISGH (we have over 100 masjids)
2) Uncles predominantly run the masjids (thus the imams speak the language of the uncles)
3) And ISGH serves a role… maintaining Masjids
No one can say that have not done a good job as such. Do they do anything else well… probably not. But guess what, that are not the khilafa. We need to stop relying on ISGH to be the one shop for all Islam. You want to pray, go to their Masjids. You want to attend a youth program, attend one of the local youth groups (CY, NEYA, etc). You want learn about your dean attend AlMaghrib or Shariah Academy. Government relations, go to CAIR. Islamic school, Iman Academy. And the list goes on.
Specialization, thats the buzz word here. Allowing each organization to specialize in what they do best. Because when you specialize you allow yourself to become the best in that one area. But when you try to do everything, you actually end up doing nothing. Now when you frame each organization in their proper place, things dont look so bad. But when you expect something out of their scope and they fail, it makes things look worse than they really are.
Dont get me wrong, i think the masjids should be the center of the community but the fact is that ISGH masjids are not made to be as such (at least yet). They are made to be a place to go pray and go. Obviously there are plenty of other masjids (many of which are nonISGH) that do serve such a purpose (ex: CLIC) but its all about setting the expectations. ISGH wants to be a manager of property (masjids) and they do a good job at that. So lets them be as such and then leave the rest to other organizations to manage and thus allow everyone to specialize in the area they work best at. AllahuAllum
^ So you’re, indirectly, saying that we should leave them be? They are an organization that runs on the peoples’ donations. What the people want from ISGH should then be worked on by them- leaving them stagnant in their ’specialization’ of “owning property” is not acceptable
If I’ve been going to the same masjid, because of it’s proximity to my work/home – why should I switch to another one w/o at least trying to help fix some of the problems my own has? I smell an air of unaccountability…
wallahu a’lam
Adam, i agree with you 100%, he who does not care about the Muslims affairs is not one of them, we should fix the ISGH rather than saying it is for the uncles.
Gehad, unfortunately there are many youths who is doing exactly what you suggest (go to another masjid) instead you should be in the for front of the reform ISGH movement since you and your age group are the future of Muslims in Houston/USA
aoa,
I came across following Website that has interesting analysis about ISGH and what it should be: http://wetheisgh.wordpress.com/
All the best; we have a good organization but indeed there is opportunity for improvement. You must roll up their sleevs now!
Mohammed Ali Khan