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Imagine investing in one person who in turn benefits an entire community. The return on investment for such an opportunity is incalculable. We're focused on developing Imams to better support the communities and themselves that they uphold.

Empowering Leaders to Empower Communities

Imagine a person who is a community leader, domestic intermediary, marriage counselor, leader of the daily prayer, teacher, scholar and a family man. You would expect this person to be well paid and have access to all the support they require. This is often not the case for our Imams. An Imam in South Africa earns on average somewhere between $255 and $425 USD / month. 

The Imam ideally is supposed to be a confident, strong, passionate individual but unfortunately due to circumstances the Imam is usually underpaid, undeveloped, overworked and lacking in passion. Many complain about Imams and many Imams complain about their state, however very few are trying to remedy the situation.

The Imam Development Project assists currently employed Imams and Religious leaders to empower, develop and refine their skills by providing financial, medical, educational, skills training, clothing, media and counseling assistance.

Our Model

The Project achieves this by providing Imams with a ‘top up’ package per annum in both cash and kind. The project is open to any employed Imam (with the permission of their employer) that is legally employed in South Africa. The project does not strive to direct the Imam in their day to day activities, but rather to provide support to them in achieving their role as Imams. The project is currently funded by local community sponsorship.

The Imam Development Project strives to uplift the Muslim community by supporting and strengthening their leaders. The progress of the Imams is tracked by having each submit a monthly progress report and engagement form, where their activities in dawah, education and interaction within their communities are documented.

Over and above the stipulated assistance for Imams there are numerous incentives available in the form of hajj trips, bursaries, grocery vouchers etc which help to motivate the Imam to do the best he can for the sake of Allah.

Our vision for the future is to assist as many Imams as the project can handle, developing their skills and giving them enough confidence to improve themselves as well as their communities.

Our Imams Progress

The Imams progress through the four tiers of the programme. 

1. Core
2. Silver
3. Gold
4. Platinum

Each of the tiers include:

• Stationery Packs
• Smart phone
• Laptop
• Student Guild Islamic Courses
• Tertiary Level Islamic Courses
• Clothing
• Groceries
• Accessories
• Islamic Library
• Medical Aid
• Development Training
• Annual Retreat

The only difference in the tiers is how much money is provided to the Imam over and above their package. The monthly amount given to them over and above their usual salary is:

1. Core - N/A
2. Silver - 105 USD / 1250 ZAR per month
3. Gold - 145 USD / 1750 ZAR per month 
4. Platinum - 210 USD / 2500 ZAR per month

Imams move up the programme based on a few certain criteria. Based on their exam results which they sit every month, their Continuous Professional Development &how many lives they've touched and more. 

This allows the Imam to focus on important things like professional development and empowering the community around him and not be concerned with blockers like lack of funds, technology or education.

Training

Imams have spent about six years in order to become an Imam. We ensure that their training does not stop there. 

Our development training packages include but are not limited to:

• Public Speaking
• Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• Teaching Skills Workshop
• NGO Setup and Management
• Hajj Trips
• Umrah & Halaqah
• PC Training
• Media and Social Media Management
• First Aid Training
• Facilitator Training
• Value Based Leadership Training
• Archery Workshop

This ensures our Imams have both the tools and knowledge to empower themselves and be fully equipped to empower the communities that surrounds them.

How You Can Help

Our project requires circa $5000 / year per Imam in order to remain sustainable. Our project currently supports about 70 Imams across 5 provinces of South Africa with more and more applicants every month. We want to reach 100 post Ramadan 2018.

Any money you donate goes directly into building an Imam and essentially building his community. The return on investment is truely, unimaginable. Please remember all our Imams and the project in your Duas.

May Allah Reward You

Sh Bilal Ismail (National Manager)

Sh Muhammad West (WC Manager)

Ml Ebrahim Mogkabudi (Gauteng Manager)

Sh Moegamad Ariefudin (EC Manager)