Opportunities

Imam and Religious Director

Organisation
Greenwich Peninsula Islamic Centre Charitable Trust
Location
Greenwich Peninsula, London
Reports to
The Board of Trustees
Hours
Part-time: Jumu'ah and the evening daily prayers (Asr and Maghrib)
Deadline
Open-ended

Our vision: seeking the heart of our community

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَّنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

At the Greenwich Peninsula Islamic Centre (GPIC) we are searching for a spiritual heart for our community. We are seeking an Imam who understands that this position is an amanah (a sacred trust) from Allah ﷽ and from the community he serves. Our vision is to find a leader whose guidance is rooted in the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and whose character is a living example of Islamic ethics.

We are a young, diverse and growing community in one of London's most dynamic areas. We need a leader who can connect the timeless wisdom of Islam to our contemporary lives and challenges.

The Prophetic model of leadership: our core expectation

The role of the Imam at GPIC is inspired by the Prophetic model ﷺ: a leader who is a spiritual guide, an accessible teacher, a compassionate counsellor and a unifying force. We seek an individual who strives to embody the verse "And indeed, you are of a great moral character" (Qur'an 68:4).

Key responsibilities

Spiritual guidance and worship

  • Leading the currently scheduled daily prayers and Jumu'ah with khushu' (humility) and spiritual presence.
  • Delivering inspiring, relevant and well-prepared Jumu'ah khutbahs in English, based on sound Islamic sources.
  • Leading Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan (optional).
  • Organising and leading community qiyams, du'a gatherings and other spiritual events.

Education and tarbiyah (nurturing)

  • Establishing and leading educational programmes (for example, weekly halaqas, Qur'an and Seerah classes) for adults of all levels.
  • Developing and overseeing engaging and relevant programmes for young people, making the community space a welcoming place for them.
  • Providing foundational Islamic education for new Muslims.

Community development and care

  • Being a visible, approachable and accessible spiritual guide for all members of the community.
  • Providing confidential Islamic counselling and guidance for individuals and families (for example, on matters of marriage, family and personal hardship) with the utmost compassion and discretion.
  • Performing marriage ceremonies (nikah) and assisting with funeral services (janazah): a future aim.
  • Actively working to unify the congregation and foster an environment of brotherhood and sisterhood.

Interfaith and community outreach

  • Representing GPIC and the Muslim community in a professional and positive manner.
  • Building bridges of understanding with other faith groups and local community organisations.

Qualifications and, most importantly, qualities

We value character and ethics as highly as formal qualifications.

Formal qualifications

  • A degree in Islamic Studies from a recognised and reputable Islamic institution.
  • Fluency in both English (essential for khutbahs and communication) and Arabic (essential for Qur'anic and textual understanding).
  • Memorisation of a significant portion of the Qur'an; being a hafiz al-Qur'an is highly desirable.
  • A minimum of three to five years' experience serving as an Imam or in a similar role.
  • Full eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.

Essential Islamic character (akhlaq) and ethics

  • Taqwa (God-consciousness) and ikhlas (sincerity): a deep-rooted fear and love of Allah ﷽ that is the foundation of their character. Their primary motivation must be to seek the pleasure of Allah, not praise or status.
  • 'Ilm (knowledge) with hikmah (wisdom): sound, authentic Islamic knowledge ('aqidah, fiqh, tafsir, hadith), and the wisdom to apply it with sensitivity to the context of our community and modern British life.
  • Amanah (trustworthiness) and integrity: a person of impeccable character, honest and reliable, whom the community can trust implicitly with its spiritual affairs and personal confidences.
  • Sabr (patience) and hilm (forbearance): immense patience in dealing with people and challenges; calm and measured in response to criticism or disagreement, seeking to resolve conflict, not create it.
  • Rahmah (mercy) and approachability: a warm, compassionate and welcoming demeanour; non-judgemental, easy to talk to, with genuine care for young and old, men and women, from all cultural backgrounds.
  • Humility (tawadu'): free from arrogance; a servant of the community, willing to listen to advice and engage in consultation (shura) with the Trustees and congregation.

What we offer

  • A part-time position leading Jumu'ah and the evening daily prayers (Asr and Maghrib).
  • A competitive salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
  • A supportive and forward-thinking Board of Trustees committed to the Imam's success and well-being.
  • The opportunity to shape the spiritual future of a dynamic and engaged Muslim community in London.

How to apply

If you believe you are the person with the knowledge, character and vision for this sacred role, we invite you to apply. Please send the following to [email protected] with the subject line "Imam Application – [your name]":

  1. A detailed curriculum vitae.
  2. A cover letter explaining why you are suited to this specific role, with particular emphasis on how you meet the ethical requirements above.
  3. Contact details for at least three references (one personal, two professional or academic).

We believe this position is a great responsibility. We pray that Allah ﷽ guides the most suitable candidate to us and guides us in our selection. Ameen.