Salat Times

About Us

Masjid Ash-Shaheed (Mosque of The Witness), is an Islamic Community built on piety. "This is a Masjid whose foundation was laid from the first day of piety. It is more worthy of thy standing forth therein. In it are people who love to be purified and Allah loveth those who make themselves pure" (Holy Qur´an, Chapter 9, Verse 108). We are in affiliation with those Mosques and Islamic Centers who support the leadership, vision and commentary of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, leader of the largest group of indigenous Muslims.

The establishment of Masjid Ash-Shaheed is a result of cumulative efforts over several years. Many of the pioneering believers involved in this historic effort met in indexments, parks and homes to discuss topics on the Qur´an, Seerah (History) of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and Hadith. During this time, there was no officially elected Imam (leader). Group participation, led by designated believers, was the method used to facilitate meetings.

In spring of 1989, the group formally organized under the name of Charlotte Masjid of Al-Islam and began holding meetings (Ta’aleem) every Sunday. Initially, the meetings were held on a rotating basis in the homes of three families until the group leased the gymnasium of the Hidden Valley Elementary School. Meetings continued to be held there until we moved to our previous location on Tuckaseegee Road. Imam Khalil A. Akbar was selected as the Resident Imam and under his leadership, the community has realized steady growth.

In June of 1993, after the passing of one of the pioneering founders of Charlotte Masjid, Brother Mahdi Shaheed, it was unanimously agreed to rename the Charlotte Masjid as Masjid Ash-Shaheed in his honor. Brother Mahdi´s dedication and sincerity was an essential element in the development of the Masjid. Without his untiring faith, belief, and service to Allah, the Muslim Community of Charlotte would have missed a great asset.

Ash-Shaheed Islamic Center fulfilled a huge dream by moving into our new Masjid/School complex and Community Center at 400 W. Sugar Creek Road, on September 15, 2006. In keeping with the direction of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, we have reinstated our name Masjid Ash-Shaheed. The believers of Masjid Ash-Shaheed are striving to follow the eternal guidance of the Holy Qur´an and the life example of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.).

Resident Imam

Imam Khalil A. Akbar
Imam Khalil A. Akbar has served as Resident Imam of Masjid Ash Shaheed in the city of Charlotte. NC since 1988. Having embraced the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Mohammad in 1968, he accepted the new direction initiated by Imam W. D. Mohammed in 1975. He has diligently served in the role of Imam since 1977, including ten years as the Resident Imam of the Harrisburg Masjid, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

In 1984, Imam Khalil enrolled in the Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Masters of Human Services Program. He completed this program and received a Master’s of Human Services Degree in 1986.Through Harrisburg Masjid’s Prison Services Program Khalil developed an interest in Prison Chaplaincy. As a Contract Chaplain, he completed a unit (400 hours of supervision) of Clinical Pastoral at the State Correctional at Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. According to Chaplain Fred Widmann, this was the first time a Muslim Imam had participated in and completed the training provided through this program. The Association of Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. certified this training.

In pursuit of a career in correctional chaplaincy, Imam Akbar applied for and was selected to the position of Clinical Chaplain 11- Coordinator of Islamic Services in the Western half of North Carolina. Because of this appointment he resigned as Resident Imam of Harrisburg Masjid in December of 1987 and moved with his family to Charlotte, N.C.

In 2013, he retired from the position of Regional Chaplain in the Western Half of the state of North Carolina, a position in which he assisted the Director of Chaplaincy, and provided supervision of 25 chaplains (career, part-time and volunteer) in the Western/Piedmont Region facilities. He screened applications for persons seeking careers as chaplains and frequently assisted with interviewing such candidates. He was a member of the Division Prisons Steering Committee and the Religious Practices Committee. He coordinated New Chaplains Training and travels extensively throughout the region to fulfill the duties of that position.

From 2014 until 2016, Imam Akbar served as a Chaplain at Johnson C. Smith University.

In 1988, Imam Akbar began working with several Muslim families in Charlotte who identified with the Association of Imam Wallace D. Mohammed. These Muslim families sought Imam Akbar’s assistance to establish a place of worship that would belong to the Association of Mosques that supported Imam Mohammed’s leadership. Through a collective effort Charlotte Masjid of Al-Islam was established (later changed to Ash-Shaheed Islamic Center) in 1989. Imam Akbar was officially elected as the Resident Imam in 1990 and has served in that capacity until now. In 2007, under Imam Akbar’s leadership, a new Masjid (Masjid Ash Shaheed) was constructed from the ground up on 8 acres of land where plans are being developed to build a Model Islamic Community.

Imam Akbar is sought after by civic and community groups to hold dialogues on Al-Islam. He has addressed numerous audiences in Mosques, Churches, and Synagogues. A highlight of this activity is when he joined Rabbi Judy Schindler of Temple Beth El, and Rev. Dr. H. Stephen Shoemaker of Providence Baptist Church at Temple Beth El to address the issues of Anti- Semitism and Islamophobia. He served on the Board of Directors for Mecklenburg Ministers for 6 years and currently is a member of that organization’s Clergy Board. He served briefly on the Board of NCCJ and was a member of Charlotte’s Community Building Taskforce, an initiative that was a local response to the national efforts of President Bill Clinton to improve Race relations in this country.

Imam Akbar received the Golden Staff Member Award from Little Rock AME Church in 2000. In 2010 he received Mecklenburg Ministries’ Bridge Building Award, and he received the W. Deen Mohammed Distinguished Citizen Award from Muslim Journal in 2011.

He is married to Sister Darlene A. Akbar, his devoted wife and partner since 1968. They are the proud and grateful parents of 7 daughters, 16 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren.

Ramadan Information

As you know, Ramadan our month of fasting is expected to begin very soon. It is the month whose beginning is mercy, its middle is forgiveness and its end is emancipation from the fire.

As one of the five pillars or duties of Al-Islam, fasting during Ramadan is mandatory for all healthy adult Muslims. Children who have not reached puberty, the elderly, those who physically or mentally incapable of withstanding the rigors of fasting, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and travelers are exempt.  

The above information will be helpful for new Muslims who have never experienced fasting in Ramadan. For those who need help there will beextra classes to teach those who are fasting for the first time.

Important Activities

1. Pre-Ramadan meal/ let’s get acquainted program at Masjid Ash-Shaheed this Saturday March 3rd from 1pm to 4pm.
2. Sighting of the new moon on the evening of Sunday March 10thsignaling the beginning of Ramadan. The first full day of Fasting If there is no confirmed sighting then Ramadan will start Monday evening after sunset, March 11th.
3. First full day of fasting is expected, either March 11th or 12th, depending on a confirmed sighting of the moon on the preceding day.
4. Masjid Ash Shaheed will host Iftar meals on every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the month. Those wanting to sponsor an Iftar should see Brother Maurice Shareef, Sister Darlene Akbar and Kimberly Akbar. Other days will be open to anyone to have iftars. Those who cannot sponsor an Iftar, may donate money, food items and assist in other charitable ways. Other days will be available for anyone to have daily iftars as well.
5. Nightly Tarawih Prayers led by Hamzah or Saleh Khader.
6. Ramadan session-TBA
7. Night of Power ( Ramadan 27th all night)

Weekly Announcements

As-Salaam Alaikum

 
1. Please make du’a for all who are sick or in need.
 
2. Please pay zakat and sadaqah at www.masjidashshaheed.org or by calling 704-488-1434.
 
3. This Sunday, from 2-6 pm, there will be a Sisters Potluck Iftar and Halaqa, featuring Sis. Abeer Ibrahim as keynote speaker. See your email for more information.
 
4. On April 5, Imam Wazir Ali will be the khatib for Jum’ah and will headline a fundraiser here at the masjid.
 
5. April 5-7, The Mosque Cares presents the 27th Annual Ramadan Session
 
6. Tarawih prayer will be offered nightly during Ramadan after ‘Ishaa. Please join us for these special prayers.
 
7. The Night of Power will be observed on the 27th night of Ramadan. Register online at www.ramadansession.net.
 
8. We will be having our community iftars every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during Ramadan. If you would like to volunteer to sponsor a meal or team with others to prepare or sponsor a meal, please contact Bro. Maurice, Sis. Kimberly, or Sis. Darlene. Enough food should be prepared to feed 125 people per meal. Individuals and groups are sponsoring iftars during the week.
 
9. The Eid Committee is looking for a new committee chairperson and for new members. If you are interested, please reach out to Bro. Warith Muhammad at 704-488-1434.
 
10. All classes will be held at regular times this weekend and next week.
 
11. Please support our vendors.

Jumu'ah Video

Join us for Jumu’ah via our YouTube Channel. The livestream will begin at 1:30 pm. Please remember to select the “subscribe” button and the bell to be notified when we go live or post new videos.

 

For those who do not have access to YouTube, you will be able to hear the Jum’ah starting at 1:30 pm over Zoom

 

Click here to join Zoom meeting or enter https://zoom.us/j/2672031975?pwd=bXdXLzI5ZE5Pc2VUMmFJZkloR3hIZz09 in your browser

 
Meeting ID: 267 203 1975
Passcode: 324805


One tap mobile:
+13017158592,,2672031975#,,,,*324805# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,2672031975#,,,,*324805# US (Chicago)
 
Or dial by your location:
       +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
        +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)


Meeting ID: 267 203 1975
Passcode: 324805

 

Please keep an eye on your email/text for any changes.

Calendar of Events

Upcoming Events

Strong End School

Strong End School begins in September, so now's the time to register. We are offering virtual classes for adults and children on Sunday mornings 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. Specific class start tims will vary. Our instructors are: Imam Naim Muhammad, Imam Jibril Muhaymin-Rashid, Brother Jonathan El-Amin, Imam Ibn Tamir Abdul Mutakabbir (Principal)*, Resident Imam Khalil A. Akbar, Imam Nasif ibn Majeed, Sister Khalidah Akbar, Sister Essie Reynolds, and Sister Ayesha Mutakabbir.

 

Your child's teacher will have essential information to help your student be successful.  Let's celebrate life and be grateful for the opportunity; to increase in knowledge.  Allah has blessed us to see another year.  We look forward to meeting and greeting new students and families; building strong relationships, and welcoming back our wonderful families!  Continue to stay healthy, remember to wear masks, and maintain appropriate spatial distance.

 

*Instructor has sessions outside of Sunday.

 

Please download the correct registration form by choosing one of the buttons below:

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