Imam Development Program

Preserving the Deen through Empowered Imams. Currently empowering 750 Imams in 15 African countries.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

One afternoon. Two extremes.

Imam Ismail in Zimbabwe went from officiating a joyful Nikah to standing beside a grieving family at a Janazah , a smile giving way to compassion in under an hour.

This is what it means to be an imam: present through every season of life.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

A certificate two and a half years in the making. Sh. Yawar Baig stopped by the IDP office in South Africa to receive his Ilm and Tarbiyah completion certificate, finishing the 3-year course early, mashaAllah!

May Allah reward him and make him a means of guidance. Ameen.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

How do you connect Imams across 18 African countries? One online call.
On Saturday, hundreds of Imams joined from across Africa, alongside Muallimahs and coordinators.
152 new Imams met the IDP team. We welcomed 3 new countries: Angola, DRC & Burundi. Alhamdulillah! 🤲

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

Sh Bilal Ismail, CEO of IDP, on Tafsir vs Tadabbur.

Tafsir is the scholarship that unlocks meaning verse by verse. Tadabbur is the stillness that turns those words into something that moves your heart, not just your mind.

Both matter. Which one have you been missing lately?

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

He was supposed to be home an hour ago.

But there was one more du'a to make. One more khutbah to prepare. A roof that still needed fixing before the rains came. Someone's nikah that couldn't wait, even if his own rest could.
To every Imam who shows up: we see you.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

Imam Salim is from Zimbabwe. He’s shared that many in his community often lack the basics.

At the IDP, we encourage Imams to be the hand that uplifts.

The benefit extends to strengthening the Imam’s standing in his community, assisting him in his task of preserving the Deen.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

Think about the leader you respect the most in your life.
It's because they listened when you needed to be heard, were firm when it mattered, and never made you feel small.

That's exactly how the Prophet ﷺ led.

And it's exactly what IDP is developing in imams across Africa.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

Imam Qureish Wasaja spent 17 years at Al-Azhar, from secondary school to the end of tertiary studies. Then he came home to teach Arabic and English at Zai Nursery and Primary School in Uganda, 500+ students strong.
Your support builds imams who come back to preserve the Deen.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

There are many causes raising funds to build masajid, but without an active Imam present, the masjid remains an underutilised asset for the ummah.

That's why developing qualified, active Imams is essential. And that’s what we do at the Imam Development Program.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

Some nights the weight doesn't have a name. You can't explain what you're feeling, you just know something is wrong.

Sheikh Bilal Ismail, the founder of IDP, compiled 6 Prophetic du'as for the nights you can't sleep, the grief you can't explain, and the anxiety you can't shake.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

@Hishamabuyusuf videos have become a a regular feature at the office, during our daily morning Halaqas.

Some of the IDP team are attending TPSS in Istanbul this week and had the pleasure of bumping into him in real life 🙂

Here’s what he had to say…

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

120 Imams. 5 countries. One question no one had asked them before: "Ya Imam, how are you doing?"
Two days at Lake Malawi on madrassahs, masjids & community work. Guests Sh Abdullah Musleh & Sh Abdul Muhsin al Mutayri inspired on ikhlaas.

Swipe for the retreat.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

Alf mabrook to Imam Shaibu Kamwendo of Malawi, winner of our Community Engagement Bonus, with 459 verified visits to the sick, elderly & orphaned over 6 months. 64 Imams, 11 countries, 1,949 visits in total. This is leadership that walks beyond the masjid.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

This Eid, your Qurbani didn't just fulfill a sunnah, it put food on tables, smiles on faces, and barakah in homes across Africa. From the animals to the distribution, every step was handled by imams on the ground who made sure no one was left out. JazakAllahu khayran.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

You're too exhausted to explain what you're feeling, let alone know how to ask Allah for help.

Sheikh Bilal Ismail, CEO of IDP, compiled 6 du'as for exactly those nights - for fear and anxiety.

COMMENT "DUA" AND GET THE FREE EBOOK.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

Comment "DUA" and we'll send you this booklet free 🤍

Some fear doesn't make sense and some anxiety doesn't have a reason.
But the heart just... breaks, quietly, in moments no one else sees.

Sheikh Bilal Ismail, CEO of the IDP, put together 6 duas for these moments.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

Comment "DUA" and we'll send the E-book to you for free.

Behind closed doors, even your Imam has moments where the weight of leading a community gets heavy. And like all of us, he turns to duaa' for strength.

We've compiled this free duaa' guide for you. Get them free today.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

15M tourists walk into Istanbul's masjids yearly, curious, with no one to talk to. Dukhtoor Fateh saw that gap and acted, building a dawah space near Hagia Sophia. The Sahabah crossed oceans to deliver this message. What's our excuse?

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

The Imam Leadership Retreat brought together imams from across Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Kuwait, and Egypt for days of learning, reflection, and connection.

Because when imams are equipped and supported, entire communities thrive.

[Imam Development Program @imamdevprogram]

Sheikh Musa Kayinja made du'a for Umrah for a year in every Tahajjud.

Through the generosity of IDP donors, Sheikh Musa didn't just get to go to Makkah. He got to go with his money still in his pocket.

This is what your donations do. They move people to the House of Allah. 🕋