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Meet ISNA President Imam Mohamed Magid
Imam Mohamed Hagmagid Ali is a Sudanese-born American who came to the United States in 1987. He attained his religious education in various Islamic disciplines as a Resident Scholar at Al-Medina Institute. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS), Imam Magid helped establish exemplary religious services for Muslim communities across the nation to emulate. He has much experience serving the nation-wide Muslim community as ISNA’s East Zone representative and as ISNA Vice President prior to his election in September 2010 as ISNA President. Imam Magid has a long history of commitment to public service through organizations, such as The Peaceful Families Project, Annual Twinning of Mosques and Synagogues, Fairfax Faith Communities in Action, Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington Assembly and the Buxton Interfaith Initiative.
Imam Magid strives to create and foster dialogue and increase understanding about Islam. Part of his work with the Buxton Interfaith Initiative included forging a partnership with Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk, then leader of the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation in Reston. Both men were recognized by the Washingtonian as “2009’s Washingtonians of the Year” for building bridges between their faith communities. Imam Magid continues to provide good counsel for the Muslim community through his regular contributions to ISNA’s magazine, Islamic Horizon’s, as well as a speaker and leader of discussions on imminent issues facing the Muslim American community. He is also well known for his family counseling expertise. Imam Magid lives in Virginia with his wife and five young daughters.
Andrea Barron, Washington Area Jews for Jewish-Muslim Understanding“I think that Imam Magid will be an outstanding leader for ISNA, which is the largest and most important Muslim American organization. He is a good role model and he is a popular leader – and he’s promoting very progressive ideas. This is not only about Imam Magid, but also the good of ISNA. ISNA just joined the community of YES, and this is very important [time for ISNA to show this type of leadership].”
“What I’ve always admired about [Imam Magid] is that he emphasizes the message of justice and compassion in Islam. When he talks about justice and compassion in Islam, he leads his congregation to always manifest [this message] through deeds. For example, there was a time several years ago when churches were destroyed in Pakistan and the ADAMS Center helped raise money to help build those churches. During the time when Mahmoud Ahmedinijad denied that the Holocaust had happened, Imam Magid organized a conference of Muslim leaders to go to the Holocaust Museum in Washington and say that, ‘no one has the right to speak in the name of Islam and deny that the Holocaust has happened.’ He is one of the first avant-garde leaders, who [sets a good example by following up with his ideas through organized action].”
“The ADAMS Center is a space that invites open dialogue about the Israeli-Palestenian conflict, domestic violence, holocaust denial, and more. This makes Imam Magid’s leadership particularly special. He is not cherry-picking parts of Islam that he wants to preach. He teaches the religion as a whole; this can be a model for the greater Muslim community.”
Jeannette Smith, local Quaker leader, Langley Hill Friends “Imam Magid helped me translate my knowledge of Christianity and Judaism and put it in a way in which I could understand Islam.”
Of all the imams that Ms. Smith has worked with, she feels that Imam Magid best grasps a vision of what the Muslim community needs to do in order to become a recognized as a major religious force in the United States.
“He is good at ‘putting the moose on the table.’ He is not afraid to go places where it would be politically incorrect to go because he knows how to approach it.”
Sandy Chisholm, Community Interfaith Liaison, Fairfax County Government“I have admired, in my working relationship with [Imam Magid], two things. One is his respect for all individuals regardless of their station in life. Whether it is the security guard or custodian at the local facility that we were visiting or a high-ranking official in the federal government, he treats everyone with respect and shows sincere interest in what people have to say. The second thing is his openness and strong emphasis on inclusion. He goes out of his way to make sure that all faith groups are at the table. He makes sure that everyone is always welcome at his council meetings and what they have to say is important, recognized and acted upon. He is well-respected by county officials, civic leaders and clergy in the area. He works endlessly and I don’t know when he gets the time to sleep.”
Ms. Chisholm has had a working relationship with Imam Magid since 2001; working for Fairfax County Faith Communities in Actions. Imam Magid is also the chairperson of Fairfax County Clergy and Leadership Council, which works to strengthen communications between different faith communities and local elected officials.
Tracy Cirone, President, Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation, Ashburn, VARay Daffner, Chair – Tikva Committee, Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation, Ashburn, VA “Imam Magid has been a visionary partner, as our synagogue has found a range of opportunities to partner with the ADAMS Center on programs ranging from adult education on Judaism and Islam, joint teen programs, community activities such as 9/11 commemorative events, and even the sharing of facilities.
Ron Christian, Director, Lutheran Housing Services“Imam Magid is a family man of exceptional quality whose intellectual talent is remarkable.” Ron Christian has worked closely with Imam Magid through the Fairfax County Faith Communities in Action, of which Imam Magid is the current Chairperson.
Dr. John Borelli, Special Assistant to the President for Interreligious Initiatives, Georgetown University “Imam Magid is a fine leader, who is comfortable in public places, articulate and knows how to represent his community well…and has the respect of the people he works with. He is open and welcoming and has a good ability to cooperate and work well in multi-religious company.”
Q 1. So, should we all refer to you as Mr. President now? Just kidding, in all seriousness, what did you think when you heard the news you had been elected the new ISNA President?I was, and am, very humbled by the voice of the ISNA members who felt that I should fill this position. Of course I feel that there are others who are equally, if not more capable to be President, but I am blessed to follow a leader like our President, Dr Ingrid Mattson, who has taken ISNA to new heights. I learned a lot from her strong leadership and will strive to fill her shoes. I am looking forward to working with the wonderful team of ISNA staff, Executive, Majlis, and volunteers in continuing to help ISNA and the American Muslim community move forward.
Q 2. In 2005, Time Magazine followed you for two weeks to document your work as an Imam in the post 9/11 era. What do you bring from your work as an Imam and community leader that will help you fulfill your duty as ISNA President and benefit the nation-wide Muslim community?As an Imam, I work with a diverse range of Muslims and community members. This gives me a unique insight into the array of strengths, weaknesses, needs, and resources of the Muslim community and the community at large. For example, in my work at ADAMS I have collaborated with the larger interfaith and government communities to build relationships that provide me significant insight into American society and how we can collaborate to benefit all of America.
Additionally, working closely with the younger generation has provided me unique opportunities for spiritual and intellectual growth with their eagerness to learn and share their resourceful ideas.
As an Imam in the post 9/11 era, we have seen issues such as interfaith dialogue take a new level of priority in our local communities. After 9/11, there were groups of Americans who hijacked the story of Islam and Muslims and demonized us. Muslims can speak all day about the true beauty of Islam, but taking control over the wrong and negative images of Muslims that saturate American culture is much more powerful when spoken from the hearts and voices of the diverse religious communities in America. If national leaders and local leaders say, “No, we know Muslims are good people, we know Islam is a religion of peace, and we know they deserve full American rights,” it is much more powerful in bringing about change.
Q 3. Is there a moment in your life that you feel truly defined you as an individual? I was helping once in a refugee camp for people who were gathered because of a drought. They walked miles for food and water. I walked with food towards a lady. When I reached her I said, “Help has arrived,” and she looked at me, very sickly and thin, with a baby in her hand and she said, “Son you are too late.” Her son had already passed. It was a powerful moment because I was not aware of the severity of her situation; I was helpless. Sometimes, we just are not aware of how severe a situation is until it is too late. Since then, I do my best to serve my community and meet their needs as quickly as I can. As much as possible, I never want to allow help to remain too late.
Q 4. In a nutshell, what do you hope to accomplish in your term as ISNA President? I hope to expand ISNA’s success at the national level in breaking barriers through government relations, community outreach and interfaith work to the local level. Many local communities are already engaging in this daily, and I hope to link ISNA to these communities and to learn more about what they need from us. I am also particularly interested in involving the younger generations of American Muslims to become more active and involved in ISNA’s movement to re-connect with local communities and become an organization inclusive of the diversity of Muslims for the greater good of the country and humanity at large. ISNA stands for the rights and needs of the Muslim community but does this within the diverse American context and in preservation of the values of America: liberty, peace, justice, freedom. For ISNA to continue to grow and ensure that our mission and vision are preserved in the future years, we need to see more of our American born Muslim members carrying ISNA’s torch as well as increase the diversity in ethnicity and gender of ISNA leadership.
Q 5. You were born in Sudan, a predominantly Muslim country, and moved to the U.S. as a young person. What has been the greatest challenge or benefit to meeting the needs of the Muslim community in such an incredibly diverse country? My experience in America working with the pluralist diverse culture makes me appreciate people of different cultural backgrounds and I have become more aware of the beauty of the diversity by design that God has created. God says in 49:13 of the Quran: “O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”
In applying this verse to my life, I came to understand the process of knowing a person of difference and to recognize and appreciate that difference and also celebrate the commonalities. This allows me to see beyond differences and find common ground that pushes the Muslim and diverse American community forward towards increased collaboration and understanding. Even within the Muslim community there is great diversity, in terms of culture, school of thought, education, approaches used to understand Islam, adherence to religious obligations, etc.
As an imam in America I have to recognize this and be flexible enough to meet the needs of the diverse community. I hope that we at ISNA continue to find strength in the diversity of our Muslim and American community, continue to cherish it, and utilize its strengths.
Q 6. What does it mean to be an American? Being an American means upholding the principles on which this nation was founded. America is a land of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, liberty, protection from harm and justice for all people. American Muslims should honor these rights by protecting them for people all around the world. Being an American doesn’t mean that you abandon your Muslim identity because there is no contradiction between the two, both promote love and care for those around you and for the country as a whole. Both the Muslim and American identity call one to engage and participate in civic duties, enjoin what is good and correct what is wrong by engaging the larger community in the political process and public debate on the issues concerning American society.
Q 7. What would you identify as the greatest challenge facing Muslims in America today and how can ISNA help the community overcome this?It is clear, particularly in very recent days, that Islamaphobia is the greatest challenge facing Muslims in America. Physical and verbal attacks on Muslims are only growing, and we know from tragic histories of other nations that the burning of holy books, the consistent demonizing of a group of people in the media and in politics, and the denial of fundamental freedoms, such as religion, has led to much graver situations. ISNA has responded swiftly to this anti-Muslim movement; most recently, ISNA held a monumental interfaith summit and press conference to publicly condemn the acts of hatred that we are seeing today. ISNA will continue to support our local communities to prepare them for how to engage with media and local interfaith communities to answer difficult questions about Islam and educate the public about the true teachings of our religion. ISNA will continue to speak out on the national level to all Americans and to our government leadership that we, as American Muslims, will not silently accept bigotry towards people of any faith. American Muslims are an integral part of this community and we must partner with our government and interfaith leaders to ensure that the rights of every Muslim and every American, of all faiths, are secure.
Q 8. What do you see as the greatest strength of the Muslim community in America or to the community at large in America?The greatest strength of the Muslim community is that we have highly educated and hard working individuals who are dedicated to the American dream. The principles and values of Islam are aligned with those of America. We believe in freedom of religion, justice, celebration of diversity, equality, peace, and freedom. Many Muslims come to America seeking a better life, the freedom to pray, the freedom to discuss politics and the freedom to seek a better life for their children. In this way, America is great because it provides democracy, freedom of religion, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. America is generous in helping people in need, raising billions of dollars in charity every year. America corrects itself in the injustices that have taken place in terms of civil rights and rights of women. When the injustice occurs again, we seek to correct our actions and learn from past mistakes rather than relive them. It truly is a land of opportunity.
Q 9: The terms Islam and Muslim have been made synonmyous with extremism by many members of the American and international community, what is your response to this linkage? Click
here for a video response from Imam Magid and other Muslim leaders answering this important question.