Imam and Religious Director of ICWP
The Islamic Center of Western Pennsylvania (ICWP) is located at 550 Warrendale Bayne Rd, Wexford, PA 15090, less than a minute from I-79. It is ~ 25 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh and was built from the ground up in 2020.
The Imam position is a critical role and will lead the community in the daily prayers, community support, lead and teach the community in accordance to Islam and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) among other duties described below.
Imam Qualifications
Necessary Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Primary Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities are the most fundamental reasons we are looking to hire an Imam. And it is assumed that if a “primary responsibility” is clashing with a secondary one, the primary one may take precedent.
Secondary responsibilities
Compensation
Compensation is competitive to reflect the mental, physical and social challenges of an Imam’s duties. Basic salary will be commensurate with experience and competitive when compared to national averages. In addition, the compensation package will include, housing allowance and health insurance allowance.
Candidate review process
Please submit a cover letter and resume with reference letter, endorsing the candidate’s upright character and qualification to be an Imam, to Board President Khalid Chatta at KhalidChatta@msn.com.
After consultation with the Imam search committee, which will perform the initial screening of applications, the President will present the candidate recommended by the Imam search committee to the Board for approval to schedule an interview.
Candidates will be invited to visit the masjid for a multi-day interview, to allow for opportunities to interact with the community, deliver a Friday khutbah and series of duroos, and to understand the area’s resources and challenges.
The Imam position is a critical role and will lead the community in the daily prayers, community support, lead and teach the community in accordance to Islam and the Sunnah of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) among other duties described below.
Imam Qualifications
- On the Manhaj of Ahlu asunnah and jamah, believing in its ideals of adhering to Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet peace be upon him as reported by the Sahabah, the four Khulafa’ Arashedeen, and Tabeen who followed them based on authentic reporting.
- Must have studied Islam under qualified scholars and/or graduated in the Islamic Sciences from a reputable Islamic institution.
- Understand and apply the correct methodology in application of the Shariah according to Ahlu asunnah and jamah.
Necessary Qualifications
- Graduate of a four-year degree from a known accredited Islamic Institute in the Arabic medium or equivalent traditional study. Credits or extracurricular study in Fiqh and Usul al-Fiqh and Maqasid are necessary.
- Have memorized at least 10 juz’ of Quran.
- Fluency in written and spoken Arabic as well as English.
- US citizen or green card holder. R1 visa holder will be considered as well.
- Experience interacting with Muslims of diverse backgrounds that may include: multiple ethnicities and nationalities, different madhabs, and various degrees of Islamic understanding.
- Have passion and desire to work with young children and youth to help them succeed
- Familiarity and readiness to address issues faced by youth in North America including atheism, LGBT, substance abuse, identity crisis, social media, mental illnesses, etc.
- Familiarity and readiness to address or research common questions American Muslims have about faith and salvation; halal food, earning and investing.
- Skilled and experienced with public speaking, organization, networking, and active listening.
- Readiness to receive and consider constructive feedback and suggestions.
Preferred Qualifications
- Higher in studies in Hadith, with Ijaazat or MS and/or a PhD.
- Hafiz of the Quran with ijazah of itqan and tajweed.
- Experience as a youth director and working to promote dawah to Muslims and non- Muslims.
- Certificates, credits or attendance in training for counseling, suicide prevention, conflict resolution, etc.
- Accredited university level certification or course credits in humanities and social sciences.
Primary Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities are the most fundamental reasons we are looking to hire an Imam. And it is assumed that if a “primary responsibility” is clashing with a secondary one, the primary one may take precedent.
- Prayers: Imam shall be primarily responsible for leading the congregational prayers and provide Friday khutbah and shall coordinate unattended prayers with lay leaders. Lead, and/or, coordinate tarawih prayer.
- Quran classes: Establish weekly halaqahs to teach tajweed and improve recitation.
- Regular duroos: Offer brief casual readings or benefits after some prayers; regular engaging evening and/or weekend lessons in tafseer, seerah, etc. Offer a regular expanded dars for families.
- Direct Muslim teens: Create and oversee age and gender appropriate programs based around worship and learning as well as the secular, while taking advantage of local resources to instill confidence and pride of faith.
- Office Hours: Have regular office hours for counseling.
- Network with area masaajid and represent Islam as needed.
- Comply with ICWP bylaws and code of conduct. You will be required to submit PA State and FBI fingerprinting background checks and complete mandatory reporting training.
Secondary responsibilities
- Volunteer Committee: Establish and coordinate volunteers to assist in all Masjid related programs.
- Provide assistance with Sunday school. Exact position with the school as principal, teacher, or consultant may be discussed and evolve based on community needs and Imam’s strengths.
- Hafiz Program: Establish Quran Hifz program for children at all ages.
- Perform necessary stage-of-life services for community members: marriages, funerals, shahadah for new converts, visit the sick, offer and lead duaa upon request.
- Contribute to ICWP media.
- Establish and participate in any committees that call upon the religious director’s expertise: outreach, youth, sadaqah, security, etc.
- Fundraise directly for ICWP projects, and indirectly with successful programs he establishes. He may be requested to travel to fundraise for projects that require large capital.
Compensation
Compensation is competitive to reflect the mental, physical and social challenges of an Imam’s duties. Basic salary will be commensurate with experience and competitive when compared to national averages. In addition, the compensation package will include, housing allowance and health insurance allowance.
Candidate review process
Please submit a cover letter and resume with reference letter, endorsing the candidate’s upright character and qualification to be an Imam, to Board President Khalid Chatta at KhalidChatta@msn.com.
After consultation with the Imam search committee, which will perform the initial screening of applications, the President will present the candidate recommended by the Imam search committee to the Board for approval to schedule an interview.
Candidates will be invited to visit the masjid for a multi-day interview, to allow for opportunities to interact with the community, deliver a Friday khutbah and series of duroos, and to understand the area’s resources and challenges.
