North American Imams Federation (NAIF), also known as North American Imams Fellow, is an Islamic activist group that represents imams and other Muslim leaders in the United States and Canada. ^{1 2 3}  The organization promotes Islam in North America, trains Islamic preachers, provides resources and opportunities to its members, and guides imams in their roles with the Muslim and other communities. ^{4 5}

In October 2023, NAIF signed a letter organized by Mwatana for Human Rights that called for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War that began following Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023. ⁶

History and Leadership

North American Imams Federation was founded in 2004. ^{7 8} NAIF received tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service in October 2017. ⁹

Abdulhakim Mohamed is the CEO of North American Imams Federation. ¹⁰

Previously, Omar Shahin was president of NAIF. In 2006, while he was president of NAIF, Shahin and six other imams were removed from a US Airways flight in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for reciting Muslim prayers in the airport concourse before boarding an aircraft. A lawsuit filed over the removal was settled out of court. ^{11 12}

Activities and Funding

North American Imams Federation (NAIF), also known as North American Imams Fellow, is an Islamic activist group that represents imams and other Muslim leaders in the United States and Canada. ^{13 14}

NAIF engages in social, political, and policy dialogues across the United States and Canada to amplify Muslim voices. The organization trains imams, provides resources and opportunities, and guides imams in their roles with the Muslim and other communities. ¹⁵ It also aims to promote Islam in North America. ¹⁶

In October 2023, NAIF signed a letter organized by Mwatana for Human Rights that called for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas War. ¹⁷

NAIF hosts the annual North American IMAMS Fellow Conference to gather imams from across North America. ¹⁸

In June 2023, NAIF issued a fatwa (ruling based on Islamic law) that designated the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) as a suitable entity for the collection and distribution of  zakat (Muslim religious charitable donations) from North American Muslims to refugees. The determination on the UNCHR was based on two factors: UNHCR’s financial management practices and UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund’s adherence to Islamic principles of zakat collection and distribution. ^{19 20}

According to its website, NAIF is headquartered in Oakbrook, Illinois. ²¹ It has been associated with other addresses in Herndon, Virginia. ²²

Funding

North American Imams Federation receives funding from individual donations on its website. ²³ and through a separate PayPal donation site. ²⁴

1. “NAIF (North American Imams Federation).” NAIF Facebook Page. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/naifAmerica/.
2. “The North American Imams Fellow.” UNHCR. February 6, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://zakat.unhcr.org/blog/en/fatwa/naif.
3. “NAIF (North American Imams Federation).” NAIF Facebook Page. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/naifAmerica/.
4. ^[1] “About.” NAIF. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://naifusa.org/about/#.
5. “Support to Imam.” North American Imams Fellow. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://naifusa.org/support-to-imam/.
6. “Open Call for an Immediate Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Occupied Palestinian Territory.” Mwatana for Human Rights. October 29, 2023. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.mwatana.org/posts-en/ceasefirenow.
7. Sacirbey, Omar. “Number of American imams doesn’t meet the demand.” The Christian Century. July 25, 2012. Accessed August 31, 2024. https://www.christiancentury.org/article/2012-06/pool-american-imams-too-small-meet-demand#:~:text=The%20North%20American%20Imams%20Federation%2C%20an%20advocacy,for%20help%20every%20year%20from%20mosques%20seeking.
8. “The North American Imams Fellow.” UNHCR. February 6, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://zakat.unhcr.org/blog/en/fatwa/naif.
9.  “Determination Letter.” Department of Treasury Internal Revenue Service. October 2017. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/dl/FinalLetter_13-4276058_NORTHAMERICANIMAMSFEDERATION_07282017.tif.
10.  “Letter to UNHCR.” North American Imams Federation. June 12, 2024. https://zakat.unhcr.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/UNHCR-Endorsement-Letter.pdf.
11. “Imams settle lawsuit over removal from 2006 flight.” MPR News. October 20, 2009. Accessed August 31, 2024. https://www.mprnews.org/story/2009/10/20/imams-settlement.
12. “Imar Omar Shahin.” Democracy Now! Accessed August 31, 2024. https://www.democracynow.org/appearances/imam_omar_shahin.
13. “NAIF (North American Imams Federation).” NAIF Facebook Page. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.facebook.com/naifAmerica/.
14. “The North American Imams Fellow.” UNHCR. February 6, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://zakat.unhcr.org/blog/en/fatwa/naif
15. “About.” NAIF. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://naifusa.org/about/#.
16. “Support to Imam.” North American Imams Fellow. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://naifusa.org/support-to-imam/.
17. “Open Call for an Immediate Ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Occupied Palestinian Territory.” Mwatana for Human Rights. October 29, 2023. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.mwatana.org/posts-en/ceasefirenow.
18.  “NAIF Annual Conference Registration.” North American Imams Fellow. August 23, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://funraise.org/give/North-American-Imams-Fellow/702c1f55-b9d2-4eb3-8139-afcb317a8d23/.
19. ^[1] “Letter to UNHCR.” North American Imams Federation. June 12, 2024. https://zakat.unhcr.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/UNHCR-Endorsement-Letter.pdf.
20. “The North American Imams Fellow.” UNHCR. February 6, 2024. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://zakat.unhcr.org/blog/en/fatwa/naif
21. “Home.” North American Imams Fellow. Accessed August 31, 2024. https://naifusa.org/.
22. “NAIF (North American Imams Federation).” NAIF Facebook Page. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.mwatana.org/posts-en/ceasefirenow.
23. “Home.” North American Imams Federation. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://naifusa.org/.
24. “Donate to North American Imams Fellow.” PayPal Donation Page. Accessed August 28, 2024. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=U3EJUB29Y8KDL.