Imam and Religious Director

About MAS East Bay

MAS (Muslim American Society) East Bay is dedicated to moving people to strive for God-consciousness, liberty, and justice, and to convey Islam with utmost clarity. We have recently acquired our new facility on Carlson Blvd to establish a vibrant Islamic center and community space. We are seeking a dynamic Imam and Religious Director to shape the spiritual foundation of this new property, lead our congregation, and foster deep community engagement.

Position summary

The Imam and Religious Director will serve as the spiritual and educational leader of the MAS East Bay community. Working closely with the executive council, the ideal candidate will provide comprehensive religious guidance, develop engaging programming, and offer pastoral care. Candidates will be evaluated against a structured scoring matrix that emphasizes Islamic scholarship, character, cultural fluency, and alignment with the MAS mission.

Key responsibilities

• Spiritual Leadership (Quran & Scholarship)

  Lead the five daily prayers, Jumu'ah khutbahs, and Taraweeh. Provide expert instruction in Quran (Tajweed, Tafseer) and foundational Islamic sciences (Aqeedah, Fiqh, Seerah).

• Operations & Program Management

  Oversee the center's religious curriculum and educational programs. Collaborate with the board on strategic initiatives, facility activities, and the day-to-day operational success of the Richmond center.

• Community Care (Interpersonal)

  Provide spiritual counseling, family guidance, and mentorship. Cultivate a welcoming, inclusive environment, mediating conflicts and engaging directly with community members.

• Youth & Community Engagement (Cultural Fluency)

  Connect effectively with the diverse, multi-generational American Muslim community in the Bay Area. Design programming that addresses contemporary challenges and resonates deeply with local youth.

• Organizational Alignment

  Uphold and promote the values, vision, and Tarbiyah methodology of the Muslim American Society in all public and private engagements.

Qualifications & evaluation criteria

Candidates will be formally assessed across the following core scoring categories.

• Islamic Scholarship

  Formal Islamic education (degree in Islamic Studies or traditional Ijazat) and a robust grasp of traditional Islamic sciences.

• Character & Spiritual Maturity

  Demonstrated integrity, humility, and a lifelong commitment to personal and community spiritual growth.

• Leadership & Operations

  Proven track record in mosque administration, program execution, and community leadership.

• Interpersonal

  Strong emotional intelligence, approachability, and the ability to build consensus and trust.

• Cultural Fluency

  Nuanced understanding of the Western/American Muslim context, effectively translating traditional knowledge into modern, practical guidance.

• Personal Traits

  Strong work ethic, adaptability, and an engaging, dynamic speaking style.

• Quran

  Strong memorization (Hafiz preferred) coupled with precise Tajweed and moving recitation.

• MAS Alignment & Ideology

  Clear alignment with the MAS mission, vision, and systematic approach to community building.