Great Ummahs Begin with Great Leaders. Join the Imam Development Program in supporting 400+ Imams in 9 African countries. 

 This campaign is ZAKAT ELIGIBLE. By donating to this campaign you will be fulfilling your Zakat obligations Insha Allah. 

What we put into our Imams is what we will see in our communities. Over the past nine years, our mission has been to build a community of dynamic and inspirational Imams. We fill the gap by providing Imams and Muallimahs with an exceptional support and three-year+ developmental program, so that they can lead the way in establishing faithful, confident, and united communities. Through the years, with the mercy of Allah and incredible donors, we have empowered over 420 Imams across 9 countries Africa. 

An Imam puts himself last, but we put him first. 

The duty of an Imam, has no holiday. He is constantly on call. He is the one who leads us in prayer. He preaches, teaches, and introduces Islam to our children. He is an advisor, the mender of broken marriages, and the source of hope for the hopeless. 

The Caller To Islam

Many of our Imams are in some of the most vulnerable regions of Africa, ensuring the light of Islam is always shining. In 2022, 562 people were welcomed into the fold of Islam at the hands of our Imams. They nurture, educate, and journey with new Muslims, ensuring they are strong in their deen. They are on the front lines in promoting a positive image of Islam. From various online Islamic courses to access to books and other resources, we equip Imams with any and every tool they need to be the best Imam they can be.

When his community sees him, they see a leader.

He guides the sinners and feeds the hungry. Just like Muhammad ﷺ. Sadly, Imams are under-resourced, under-skilled, and overwhelmed by the tasks on their shoulders. The expectations are high, but resources are few. Many Imams find it difficult to up-skill themselves and take care of their families without being paid a fair wage or having access to basic medical aid. 

From Hunger to Business Owner 

Meet Imam Dawood from Ndola, Zambia. He is the breadwinner for his family of 11. Before the IDP, Imam Dawood and his family were really struggling. There were days where they had one or no meals at all. After joining the IDP, not only is he and his family having three meals a day, but he is now a business owner of a Chicken Farm. The IDP filled a huge gap in his life, allowing him to focus on Dawah without financial worry. 

From Danger To Safety & Laying the Foundation Of His New Home

Meet Imam Godfrey from Kanongo, Zimbabwe. Before the IDP, he lived in a wood cabin that was damaged by termites and riddled with snakes. For the sake of his Dawah mission, and keeping the light of Islam burning in Kanongo, he lived alone whilst his family moved to a safer location. After joining the IDP, Imam Godfrey layed the foundation and is in the process of building his new home. A home which is safe where he will reunite with his family.

From No Madrassah To A Muslim Community 

Meet Imam Shaffy from Liwonde, Malawi. Before the IDP, there was no Madrassah where a large number of youngsters lived in his neighbouring community. Despite years of effort, the vision of a Madrassah seemed like a far reach. In what is some of the most crucial years of a youngsters life, Imam Shaffy knew the importance of keeping the light of Islam burning. After the IDP, not only is there an active Madrassah in the community, but also a flourishing Muslim community.

From a Dream to a Sanctuary For Orphans

Meet Imam Emran Dawood from Lilonge, Malawi. Before the IDP, he dreamed of having an orphanage and dedicating his life to caring for orphans. After the IDP, his dream of a sanctuary for orphans became a reality. Not only is the IDP financially assisting him in running the orphanage, we are also in the beginning stages of building an orphanage for him.

From Hardship to Relief 

The Hardship Relief fund was established  for the Imam, his family, and his community as a financial safety net to help Imams with any unforeseen expenses that may arise, such as medical bills, medication, accidents, and, in more recent times, natural disasters. From paying off medical bills, settling debts, to providing live saving food aid to Imams and Imams communities, the Hardship Relief fund has proven to be vital.

From an Imam to a Student Again

The IDP is geared toward empowering Imams through quarterly training by focusing on six developmental areas, namely: Iman, Islam, and Ihsan, Secular Education, Teaching, Speaking and Presenting, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving Skills and Counselling. Providing bursaries to needy Imams is at the core of our developmental program. Furthermore, Imams are enrolled in a 3-year Islamic Educational Program to further enhance their Islamic knowledge. In 2022, $36,301 was spent on Imams training and continuous professional development. 

Alhamdulillah, through the trainings from the IDP, I managed to change the level of education in my community. We all know that everyone has their own role model, and now I am the role model for the youngsters in my community. The way I address them and the way I am addressing their issues as youth is inspiring to them. Not only youth but others too. This is only possible because of the IDP's investment in us as Imams. I always ask myself what the lives of Imams and Muallimahs would be like if IDP did not exist. IDP has changed my life totally—economically, spiritually, socially, and academically.

What can you do to help? Make a commitment: Put Imams first this Ramadan!

Together with your support, we at the Imam Development Program will be able to continue our mission of empowering Imams and their communities. Your investment means we can continue to give Imams access to the tools they need to be the best Imams they can be. 

Your investment in an Imam is an investment in the Ummah!

Our Impact

Over the past 8 years the IDP has directly improved the lives of more than 420 Imams across 9 countries namely, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Tanzania. Through our training, we have enhanced the effectiveness of our Imams to better serve their communities. And through our Imams we touch the lives of over 2,800 000 people each year.

Who are we?

The Imam Development Program (IDP) was established in South Africa in 2014 with the aim to assist currently employed Imams and community leaders to empower, develop and refine their skills. We believe through developing effective community leaders; we can transform entire communities. Over the past 9 years the IDP has directly improved the lives of more than 420 imams across 9 countries namely, South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Tanzania. Through our training, we have enhanced the effectiveness of our Imams to better serve their communities. And through our Imams we can touch the lives of over 2,000 000 people each year.

Together, with your investment, InshaAllah we will build a better Ummah! 

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