Salary hikes for Dubai imams and muezzins
Mosques across Dubai come alive with soulful recitation of the holy Quran as imams lead Muslims in offering their five daily prayers. While balancing their duties at the mosque, teaching the holy Quran and delivering sermons, the imams rarely go far from their spiritual duties for more than a few hours. With a brief half-day off each week, long drives, dinner gatherings and even shopping trips are often cut short.
However, for the imams, it is a small price to pay for a larger mission to spread the word of Islam. Most of them are highly educated, specialising in various Islamic disciplines. They don’t do it for monetary benefits but for a reward of a higher degree.
In honour of their contribution to promoting the inclusive message of Islam and their service to the community, last week, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ordered salary increases for imams and muezzins.
Khaleej Times spoke to four imams from Egypt, India, Saudi Arabia and Mauritius.
“I was really happy when I heard the news,” said Egyptian imam Saeed Ashoush, who arrived in Dubai in 2014.
“I am still awaiting the details of it but I am glad that Dubai takes care of us well.”
Earlier in the month, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed also directed the provision of a monthly financial allowance equivalent to 50 per cent of the basic salary for all mosque staff, including imams and muezzins working under the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments (GAIAE).
According to Ahmed Al Abdul Fattah, an Indian imam, the qualifications required to land the job are steadily becoming more stringent. “In the 80s and 90s, it was sufficient to know just one juz (part) of the Quran,” he said.
“But today, it is important for all imams to be hafiz (learn the entire Quran by heart). They also have to hold at least a bachelor’s degree in an Islamic discipline. Many hold Masters and Phds. Since the last year or so, it has also become mandatory to be a fluent Arabic speaker.”
Ahmed, who works at a mosque in Al Khawaneej, said imams are highly encouraged to be multilingual. “Apart from knowing how to communicate in Arabic, imams who are fluent in European languages like English and French are very much in demand in the UAE,” he said.
“Since Dubai is a multicultural city, it is important to be able to speak to a diverse group of people.”
Saeed, who completed his degree in Islamic studies from the Al Azhar university, said it was also mandatory for imams to pass an exam. “Once you pass the proficiency exam, you are qualified to work in this country as a masjid imam,” he said.
“I currently work at the mosque in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) and I live in the same compound. My family lives with me.”
Saeed’s daily routine is packed with activities. “Apart from leading the prayers five times a day, I prepare classes for those who come to the masjid,” he said.
“I also prepare the Friday Khutbah and teach Quran to children. I only take half a day off during the week.”
Saudi Arabian national Idrees Eisa Bakar arrived in the UAE in 2002 after completing his degree in Islamic Law in Makkah and is currently an imam at Masjid Umar ibn Abdul Azeez. Like Saeed, he too has a busy daily schedule. “After I pray Fajr (early morning prayers) I revise the Quran and do some research,” he said.
“Then, I drop my kids to school and go to the gym to work out. After that, I pray Dhuhr (afternoon prayer) and then rest for a while. After Isha prayers, I give some talks in the masjid,” he said.
With an annual vacation of four weeks, Saeed chooses to take time off during the summer when his children are off from school. Idrees takes his break depending on his needs. “Sometimes I take the time off during my children’s summer break and sometimes during the winter break, depending on the need.”
Unlike the others, Mauritian expat Ayaz Housee is not the resident imam at any masjid. Instead, he divides his time between several mosques and pursues several activities that he is passionate about.
“I work as a resident imam at the Next Generation School during the day,” he said.
“I also assist in marriage and youth counselling and give the Friday sermon at Al Manar Islamic Center. I hold several sessions on the Sharjah 2 TV channel. I also give talks and moral sessions online around the globe on different Da’wah platforms such as The Global Learning Academy and Jumeirah Islamic Learning Center.”
Ayaz, who first arrived in Dubai in 2000 as a teenager and completed his degree in Islamic Theology and Propagation of Islam from Madinah, said the emirate was a great place for imams.
“I believe the authorities take good care of the preachers in the mosques, giving opportunities to their families to lead a good life in Dubai,” he said.
Idrees agreed with him. “The Ministry provides a lot of benefits to us such as accommodation, salary, bills, partial school fees, health insurance and yearly travel,” he said.
Ayaz further explained that becoming an imam or a preacher required a very specific skillset. “Apart from a deep understanding of Islam and ability to interpret the scripture, the imam should have a strong moral compass,” he said.
“He should also be a clear and eloquent speaker, possess strong leadership skills and have piety, devotion, humility, modesty, patience and wisdom. He should also be upto-date in his knowledge.”
Ahmed, who grew up in the UAE, said he had dreamt of being an imam from a very young age. “My father used to send me for Quran competitions as a way of improving my Tajweed (Quran recitation),” he recalled.
“So I grew up dreaming of becoming an imam and it was in 2010 that I finally realised my dream.”
Earlier in the month, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed also directed the provision of a monthly financial allowance equivalent to 50 per cent of the basic salary for all mosque staff, including imams and muezzins working under the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments.