Mohamed Magid, Va. Imam, Named Head Of Islamic Society Of North America

By Omar Sacirbey
Religion News Service

(RNS) The Islamic Society of North America, the largest Muslim group in the U.S. and Canada, on Tuesday (Sept. 28) named a gregarious Sudanese-born Virginia imam as its new president.

Imam Mohamed Magid, executive director of the 5,000-family All Dulles Area Muslim Society in Sterling, Va., will succeed outgoing president Ingrid Mattson, who in 2006 became the first woman elected to the position.

Magid, 45, served two terms as ISNA's vice president under Mattson, where he focused on interfaith relations, youth issues, and women's issues. As president, Magid's priorities will continue to include interfaith relations and improving Islam's image in the United States, said ISNA spokeswoman Sarah Thompson.

"A lot of local communities don't know how to engage with the media and the communities around them, and they're asking for help," Thompson said. "Reaching out and improving interfaith relations is what Imam Magid excelled at."

Magid, who was unavailable for comment, takes the helm of ISNA as Muslim Americans face increased hostility and discrimination. According to a Pew Research Center poll last month, Americans' favorable views of Islam fell from 41 percent to 30 percent in the past five years, while unfavorable views increased from 36 to 38 percent.

Magid studied under his father in Sudan before coming to the United States in 1987. He rose to prominence in 2005 after a lengthy and positive profile in Time magazine. Last year, he and Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk were named Washingtonians of the year by Washingtonian magazine.

Mattson is currently on sabbatical from Hartford Seminary, where she is director of the McDonald Center for Islam and Christian-Muslims Relations. She is spending the next few months catching up with her family, but intends to stay active in Muslim American affairs and resume teaching next year, Thompson said.

Comments

[abdallac]

06:46 PM on 09/29/2010

So happy Imam Magid is heading up ISNA, he is a very cool and outstanding example as a person. Just a sweet, kind man.

[Manhajsadiqeen]

03:27 AM on 09/29/2010

What a monumental task ahead in a climate of hate, confusion and a growing American Muslim population. How vocal will this Imam be in the ISNA? Will he take to task the American killing presence in Muslim lands or he will stick to the current ^program of not castigating America for increasing insurgencies against them by their invasions and occupations of Muslim lands? ISNA I wonder is headed in the right direction? Trying to stem the tide of hate that has gripped the country, the ISNA will have to revamp some of it's rhetoric and challenge the status quo of the government's stance on Islam and it's actions in Muslim lands, which in the past they have been reticent to do. I also believe that they have a ways to go since they are seriously behind CAIR as the number 1 Islamic advocate.

[LMPE]

12:22 AM on 09/29/2010

I'd like to see Mr. Magid stare down Virgil Goode (the former Virginia congressman who alleged that Muslim convert Keith Ellison's election in Minnesota was a sign that the Muslims are "taking over").

[riff4u]

10:39 PM on 09/28/2010

Okay how long will it take the wing nuts and Faux News to tie this guy to terrorism?

[LMPE]

12:21 AM on 09/29/2010

I'm guessing that it'll start in T minus three, two, one...

[Puncastle]

01:32 AM on 09/29/2010

Well, let's see.

1) He's dark skinned.
2) He has a beard
3) He's from Sudan
4) His first name is Mohamed

Fox is going to have a field day with this guy.

[Gregor53]

08:09 PM on 09/29/2010

Yes and to them, the only thing worse is a Democrat that is President.