The Imam
Sheikh Mahmoud Abdul-Aziz Ahmad Sulaiman
Sheikh Mahmoud Sulaiman has served as the Imam of the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix (ICCP) since 2002. Prior to his arrival at ICCP, he was Imam at the Islamic Center of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He has extensive experience as a religious leader, and since assuming his position at ICCP, he has provided various educational and outreach community programs. He is active with other Islamic centers in the Valley and works with other Sheikhs and Imams who seek his advice on Islamic issues.
With the assistance of the ICCP board members, he has been very active with non-Muslim organizations. With the representatives of churches and synagogues he discusses the similarities between Islam and different faiths and emphasizes the Islamic teachings concerning respect for other beliefs.
Sheikh Mahmoud is an Al-Azhar University graduate. A specialist in the sciences of hadith, he has memorized many ahadith and their interpretations. His deep knowledge of the Qur’an and his ability to cite evidence from it enables him to explain complex hadith in a manner understandable to all.
Educational Background
Sheikh Mahmoud has invested more than 33 years in studying Islam. He memorized the Qur’an at the age of eleven. He attended Al-Azhar Preparatory Institute of Demmiette, Egypt, from 1968 till 1971, followed by Al-Azhar Secondary Institute of Demmiette, Egypt until 1975. In 1977, after two years of studying business at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt, he joined the University’s Faculty of Islamic Theology (College of Usool Al-Din), where he focused on the sciences of hadith. He learned from well-established hadith scholars and obtained his Bachelor’s degree in 1981.
In 1989, he joined the graduate program of the Faculty of Islamic Theology at Al-Azhar University and in 1992, gained his “Diploma in the Sciences of Hadith.” He continued his studies, achieving his Master’s degree with distinction in 1995. He then attended the Institute for the Preparation of Muslim Teachers, Port Said, Egypt, completing the program in 1996.
Work Experience
From 1982 to 1998, Sheikh Mahmoud worked as Imam and speaker at the Ministry of Awqaf, Demmiette, Egypt. He developed a particular methodology for delivering khutbahs and speeches. Many students learned his approach and several students graduated under his supervision.
From 1996 to 1997 he also worked as an instructor at the Institute for the Preparation of Muslim Teachers, Port Said, Egypt, specializing in training teachers to give Islamic speeches. He attracted many students with his unique approach to teaching methodology.
Sheikh Mahmoud established four organizations while he worked at the Ministry of Awqaf, Demmiette, Egypt. The first organization was “The Village Youth Center,” established in 1989. He chaired this organization with the help of others. They established a new building located on the Nile. The center offered both sports activities as well as religious programs. The second was “The Society of Patients’ Friends” in 1991. The main purpose was to help needy patients by providing them free medical treatment and medications. The third organization was the “Finance House” or “Baitul Maal” in 1995. This was instrumental in supporting many poor people by providing them with educational programs, offering interest-free loans, providing professional training for poor people, and helping orphans, etc. He was effective in attracting many youngsters to the center. The fourth organization was the Association for Facilitating Hajj for the community of Kafr Saad.
From 1997 to 1998, he worked as a visiting Imam for the Islamic Center of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a result, he was offered a full-time Imam position from 1999 until 2001. He played a vital role in community outreach following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As a participant in several panel discussions at the University of New Mexico and in meetings with representatives of governmental organizations, he explained how Islam teaches against violent acts and the killing of innocent people. In 2002, he joined the Islamic Community Center of Phoenix, Arizona.
Sheikh Mahmoud’s Activities at ICCP
Community Education
Sheikh Mahmoud gives the Friday khutbah with new topics weekly. He covers a wide range of subjects such as Islamic beliefs; Islamic guidelines; Qur’anic tafsir; and Prophet Muhammad’s character and life.
He provides weekly speeches on Friday nights for men and women. He also gives a weekly speech on Saturday nights for ladies. Each Saturday after Fajr prayer, he offers a short talk. Sheikh Mahmoud covers diversified issues including Islamic basics; Muslims’ relationships with non-Muslims; respecting other people’s religions; being a good citizen and law-abiding person; how to become righteous; dealings with and respecting one’s neighbors; teachings of the Prophet Muhammad; understanding and interpreting the Qur’an; and implementing the teachings of the Qur’an in one’s life.
Sheikh Mahmoud addresses each topic from the point of views of the four schools of thought (Hanafi, Shafi’i, Hanbali, and Maliki). He teaches an ongoing tajweed (Qur’anic recitation) class and previously gave a course on the sciences of hadith. For the children and young people of the community, Sheikh Mahmoud organizes and teaches at the ICCP’s weekend school.
Spiritual Leadership
Sheikh Mahmoud provides leadership to community members by tending to their spiritual needs. He encourages community members to visit him by appointment each day during his evening “office hours.” He attends to people’s spiritual needs at times of bereavement not only by officiating at funerals and burials, but also by visiting the homes of the bereaved families to recite Qur’an and to give talks encouraging people to remember Allah during difficult times. He also performs marriages and counsels community members about marriage and family issues.
Construction Project
Sheikh Mahmoud has worked tirelessly to support the building of a new mosque to accommodate the increasing number of community members, especially the number of worshippers on Fridays. The first phase of the project’s construction is complete. He is leading the drive to encourage people to donate funds for the second phase.
Interfaith Initiatives
Sheikh Mahmoud has a strong belief in respecting non-Muslims and in establishing good relationships with non-Muslim organizations. During Sheikh Mahmoud’s tenure, with the support of the ICCP board, many church and synagogue representatives have visited the ICCP to learn about the true teachings of Islam toward other religions. Sheikh Mahmoud has, in turn, visited several other faith organizations and has given talks about respecting and dealing with non-Muslims. He has gained admiration because of his constant interaction with several leaders from other faiths. Sheikh Mahmoud also encourages interaction at the ICCP with representatives of governmental and private non-religious organizations, so they can learn about Islam and Islamic teachings.