Australian Imams appoint a new Mufti
by Ahmed KilaniSource: MuslimVillage.com
New Mufti of Australia - Dr Ibrahim Abu Muhammad
EXCLUSIVE To MuslimVillage.com
Imams and Sheikhs from around Australia held a meeting last night in which they appointed Dr Ibrahim Abu Muhammad as the new Grand Mufti of Australia. Dr Abu Muhammad, a current serving member of the Fatwa board of the National Imams Council of Australia, replaces the outgoing Mufti Sheikh Fehmi Naji El-Imam AM.
Dr Ibrahim Abu Muhammad is one of the most prominent Muslim scholars in Australia and having memorised the entire Qur’an in his childhood. He went on to complete formal studies in Islam at the renowned and historic Al-Azhar University, Cairo where he completed a Masters at the College of Usuluddin and later a PhD. His thesis earned him a high distinction to achieve top of his class.
From 1988 to 1991 he taught Islamic Studies in Ajman College in Al-Ayn University, Abu Dabi. Dr Ibrahim has also taught postgraduate studies in Islam at Leaders College under the Defence Ministry of Abu Dabi from 1991 to 1996.
Dr Ibrahim was a cultural advisor at the Islamic Council of NSW during 1997. In 1999 he established Quran Kareem Radio Australia which broadcasts Arabic and English programs daily to an audience of more than 25,000 listeners.
Dr Ibrahim is also a Shariah advisor for The Muslim Community Co-operative (Australia) Ltd, better known as MCCA, since 1992.
Dr Ibrahim has authored 26 books which have been published in Arabic. Some titles of his books are Man and the Environment, Culture and the Diary of History, Between Freedom of Thought and Freedom to Destroy, A letter to the Sane, The Man and the Sycophant, Mental Striving: its Fields and its Heights and Pure Melody and the Immoral Melody. He has recently published the second edition of his book Invitation to Contemplate, which was translated into both English and French.
He regularly delivers Friday sermons at major mosques in Australia and holds regular monthly public lectures for the Muslim community in Sydney, where he is based.
Traditionally the role of a Mufti as a religious authority has been something that operated in a Muslim country where the overwhelming majority of the people would be of the same cultural and religious background.
Because there is no religious hierarchy in Islam (especially in Sunni Islam), there is no one person – apart from the Prophet Muhammad – whose views on Islam are considered final. Anyone with knowledge of the religion and related matters can express an opinion on a religious issue. In practice, those who have studied Islam and are knowledgeable about the religion have the strongest say.
In the past the role of Mufti of Australia has been more of a ceremonial role that has held no real authority over other Imams or grassroots Australian Muslims.
One difficulty is the enormous diversity among Australian Muslims (ethnic, religious, theological, legal, spiritual), making it difficult to agree on one person or body to represent the religious views of the entire community.
Another obstacle to a recognised central religious leadership is that the largest segment amongst Australia’s Muslim community are those born in Australia who make up just under 40% of Australia’s 400,000 + Muslim community. These Australian born Muslims speak predominately English and have a more Western mindset. They tend to find it hard to follow Imam’s and Sheikhs that do not speak English or fully understand the “Western” mindset because they were born and raised outside of Australia.
Currently most religious leaders in Australia are from overseas. They are trained in overseas seminaries and brought to Australia to serve a particular ethnic community, for example Pakistani, Bosnian, Turkish or Lebanese. As yet, there are only a few Australian-born imams.
It remains to be seen how successful the non English speaking new Mufti of Australia Dr Ibrahim Abu Muhammad will be in unifying the diverse Australian Muslim community under one religious authority. Going by the recent controversy regarding the declaration of Eid, it may take some time before a unified religious leadership emerges, if ever, in Australia.
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Watch an SBS interview with Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed where he discusses his aspirations, the issue of language + more... http://muslimvillage.com/2011/09/20/mufti-ibrahim...
I dont know if the commotion on this forum is "for" the Mufti or "against". I'm also surprised how much it matters to people whether the Mufti position is suitable for majority non-Muslim Australia; that he cannot speak English (well I can read Quraan and say my prayers in Arabic but I dont understand it - so I use translation); that will he be able to lead the Australians?; and will he be able to unite all continental Imams here in harmony. Great Expectations!
May I suggest let the man do his job (every one needs time and space to be effective) and PLEASE, Do, what is expected of you - as best as you can to represent true Islam. Thank you.
may Allah give us all hidayah, may Allah give the respected mufti the tawfeeq to do amal upon the glorious ilm Allah has given him, may Allah give him the talab to want to look like the Rasool SAW, ie Sunnah beard & clothing at least!
At the end of the day, you are all living and are happy in a land of kufr. Australia publicly wages war and is killing our innocent brothers and sisters overseas. If your mufti speaks English or not is the least of your problems. I really feel for this mufti (may Allah keep him steadfast), because he is dealing with such an audience. Such a selfish audience who believes that 'imams' can be 'home grown' and brought up in such a corrupt land. For example, this man's Arabic will be far superior than any Aussie wannabe Imam. Whether you like it or not, one needs to travel to understand comprehensively. May Allah guide us.
I love the your condescending style of talk. Aim high shoot low. You're awesome bro. teach me
i do hope that you, GladNot2BAMufti, do not live in Australia, since you despise us so much. There is no barrier to being a Muslim here, no barrier to mosques. Many Muslims from overseas believe, and say freely, that it is easier to be a Muslim here than in many so-called Muslim countries. Please keep your 'hate Australia' thoughts to yourself and do not try to stir up trouble amongst us.
well said salalah, plus australians are not killing brothers and sisters overseas. Where do you guys get this crap from????
Im all for Australian-born and raised Mufti, how a non-English speaking immigrant is going represent us Australian born muslims I have no idea. Its not about how many books you've written or spoken and had people translate, as mentioned above, never expect unity, it will not come, definitely not now.
Why does ISubmit2Allah assume that an English-speaking Mufti would have less experience and credentials? This is another example of how Australian Muslims are shunted into the background, as if we were a lesser form of Muslim. We are all equal before God.
salalah, not sure if your question was directed to me to answer or if it was rhetorical. Firstly, I am an Australian born Muslim and no one is 'shunting' no one into the background. You make it sound like the Mufti was self-appointed. He was VOTED in unanimously.
Surely if there was an English-Speaking candidate with great credentials then he would have been voted in but obviously there wasn't, so the most qualified was appointed even if he would have been Chinese.
Yes we are all equal in the sight of God but that has nothing to do with being the most qualified for a job. Based on that logic, a Muslim with absolutely no Islamic knowledge can be Mufti because he too is equal. There is a difference between equality and qualified.
Salam
I was making a point about your assumption that an an English-speaking Mufti would have fewer credentials and experience than Dr Ibrahim, as I said in my post.
You had said, and I quote: 'I personally believe that a non-English speaking Mufti with the credentials of Dr Ibrahim is better than an English speaking Mufti with far less credentials and experience'.
Your inference about the inferiority of an Australian Mufti, if there were one, is clear.
When, when, WHEN will we get an Australian to lead us.
Carmel Boyce puts it very well. Imams have a history of ignoring the Mufti anyway, and this man, no matter how well qualified, can't be expected to understand Australians and Australian Muslims. He is hardly likely to persuade the Imams to keep in mind the Muslims of the host country because I have found that Australian Muslims are ignored in mosques and Muslim communities, yet this is our homeland. It is time we heard Australian voices in Islam.
I am disappointed that the newly appointed Mufti of Australia doesn't speak English. I am keen to see all religions respected and the basic principles of their religion understood as I believe that this leads to more tolerance. When I read that Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed had been appointed the new Mufti I was interested to know what his views and background are and thus visited this website. I am encouraged by the fact that he was unanimously elected as this means that he is well respected and by the titles of his books, articles and papers but concerned that the wider Australian and even some members of the diverse Muslim communities won't understand him. This seems an opportunity lost.
The issues that the Muslims are experiencing is not about English nor Arabic. Language is good but it is not the solution.
I am sure he will have a translator.
I personally believe that a non-English speaking Mufti with the credentials of Dr Ibrahim is better than an English speaking Mufti with far less credentials and experience.
Translators are fairly accurate these days and so I wouldn't look at it as a lost opportunity but rather and opportunity for unity.
Salam
Its a very tough job. Everybody thinks they are right. Even the drug dealer next to the corner shop thinks his views are the best. He ll quote you Quran and hadith . Everyone has become a Grand Mufti. Too many cheifs not enough indians. Salam
Dearest Ahmed, is it possible to have a direct contact link to Sheikh Dr Ibrahim Abu Muhammad. Like a public email address or a venue (office) in Sydney where he can be met for discussions or if one has questions to him? Jazak Allah khayrun
In regard to starting and ending of Ramadan and subsequently the date of Eid-ul-Fitr and also which day Eid-ul-Adha is in Australia specifically, what methodology does he use?
Also would like to know who else was at the meeting and voted, and if there are other office positions that were set last night? As I dont think there is a such a title as deputy mufti is there (eg: incase if the Sheikh goes overseas)?
Dr Ibrahim is a wise and knowledgeable man of principle. I except and pray he will be a model spiritual leader for our community in Sydney and Australia.
The fact that I work with his radio station doesn't mean I can't plug shameless for him.
Allah has promised Khayr, through Istikhara and Mashwara, even if the decisions are perceived to be wrong by some.
If the Council follow the process of Mashwara and place trust in Allah, wouldnt that be start of the solution to unity?
asalamu alaikom,
Do you know which imams and sheikhs were present?
Please refer to this site for further details http://www.anic.org.au/
Assalamu Aalaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatu,
Dear Brothers and sisters,
I do not personally know Dr Ibrahim but having read what is written above I assume that muslims will be better served under his leadership.
May Allah, the Allmighty help him in his new role,
IHA
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In Australia you NEED a English speaking Mufti. It doesn't matter what his qualifications are. If you can't fluently communicate what knowledge you have in your brain then it's no use to anyone but yourself. He can't guide someone that comes to him with a question in English. His always going to have a translator next to him to do his job.
In Australia you need english, in Turkey turkish, in Egypt arabic. It's common sense.
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