IIIT Panels at the 2015 ICNA Convention

The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) hosted two consecutivepanels at the annual Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) convention onMay 24, 2015.Ermin Sinanović (director, Research and Academic Programs) openedpanel 1, “Imam & Community Education,” by explaining that IIIT is committedto continuous professional development for imams and community leadersso that they can be effective in the United States. As opposed to the societiesfrom which they come, here they are expected to perform many non-traditionalroles, such as Islamic instruction, interfaith participation, counseling, dealingwith a pluralistic community, and catering to the community’s needs. All ofthese expectations and the difficulties that imams face in trying to fulfill them,he remarked, “explains the high turnover we have at mosques.”Several years ago, IIIT and Hartford Seminary designed a joint GraduateCertificate in Imam and Muslim Community Leadership program to trainimams in the necessary skills. To “bring the Muslim component to the conversationand instill self-respect and confidence in their students,” IIIT helpedHartford Seminary hire Muslim instructors. Each applicant for this 24-hourcredit eight-course program must already possess a BA. The certification providespractical training for counseling in hospitals, prisons, and other settings.Zahid Bukhari (former president, ICNA) acknowledged the huge variationamong imams, especially those “imported imams” who have soundknowledge of Islam but cannot relate to American culture and youth and thusend up essentially leading disconnected lives “in an icloud type atmosphere.”He recommended periodic recertification of imams and community leadersso that they can improve their ability to handle contemporary challenges, andexpressed enthusiasm for the ICNA-IIIT partnership.Timur Yuskaev (director, Graduate Certificate Program in Imam and MuslimCommunity Leadership, Hartford Seminary) commented that many ...