Tag Archives: imam

As the wife of a Muslim religious leader, she came to America with uncertainty and hope. A suspected hate crime snuffed out the hope.

ISTANBUL (RNS) Turkey’s religious authorities have given the go-ahead for the country’s controversial “Rockin’ Imam” to keep on rocking.

The Spokane Islamic Center wants something mosques all across the country are seeking and can’t seem to find — an educated, bilingual, experienced imam who understands American culture.

According to the report “The American Mosque 2011: Activities, Administration and Vitality of the American Mosque” by Ihsan Bagby, half of all mosques in the U.S. have no full-time staff, and only 44 percent of imams work as paid, full-time leaders.