By Misa Friesen-Kobayashi
The Ottawa Muslim Association is searching for an imam to replace outgoing Gamal Solaiman, who held the position at the Ottawa Mosque for the last eight years.
The next imam must be an Islamic scholar who is fluent in English and Arabic, says Sarwar Gilani, the chairman of the committee that is finding a replacement. The association is also hoping for someone younger, who understands Western culture.
Gilani says they want someone who can “grow with the community and stay with us a very long time.”
The association has written to Muslim organizations in North America about the position’s requirements.
It has received several resumés already, which will be reviewed until the end of March, says Gilani.
Community committee members aim to recommend a replacement by April.
Solaiman, 74, agrees a younger, North American imam could help relate to youths and second-generation Muslims.
“I fully endorse that,” says Solaiman. He says those born in Canada are often better at dealing with “cultural baggage” and communicating with other Canadians.
While those qualities in the next imam are important, they might be difficult to find, says Peter Beyer, a professor of religion at the University of Ottawa.
“There are not a lot of spare North American imams floating around,” says Beyer.
He adds that the new imam will have to balance relationships with younger and older generations, non-Muslims and the media.
“They need someone who can do about five things at once.”
The Ottawa Mosque’s imam will also become the point person for that community in difficult times, as Solaiman was after Sept. 11, says Beyer.
The media criticized Solaiman in 2003 for his comments about jihadism. He said in an interview that he would fight the Americans with “nails and teeth” if he were in Iraq, and that he supported the jihad.
Solaiman clarified afterwards that the word jihad is often misinterpreted by non-Muslims and means to “struggle to do good.”
“I have to admit, I should have made myself clearer and explained jihad is not confined to fighting,” he says.
Beyer says Solaiman took some missteps during that time. But, he adds, there was very little Solaiman could have said at the time that would be right in that “charged” atmosphere.
Gilani says the imam’s job is not easy in such a large community. The Ottawa Mosque represents Muslims from all backgrounds and draws people from across the city.
While he was there, Solaiman says he emphasized that a person could be both a “good Canadian and a good Muslim.”
“Nobody will ask you to give up your identity and values,” says Solaiman. “As long as you have harmonious relations with your neighbours and make contributions to the country you are in… you will be welcomed by them.”
Solaiman left Ottawa for England in late January. He says he wants to teach and be closer to his family in Egypt.
As imam, Solaiman led prayers, gave advice to members of the congregation, performed marriages and participated in interfaith dialogue with other religious communities.
He had stature within and outside the mosque, and was “loved by everyone,” says Gilani. “It will be difficult to replace him.”
“If they can find a person who did the job as well as Solaiman, they will be doing well,” says Beyer. “But they seem to want someone who can do that plus more.”