Community Is Messy: The Perils and Promise of the Muslim Ummah | Imam Mohammad Yasir Khan

In 2020, Imam Mohammad Yasir Khan became California's first-ever Muslim chaplain to the state legislature.

From the august State Assembly floor into the unassuming apartments of Afghan refugees in Sacramento to consoling Muslims in prisons & hospitals and consoling at-risk Muslim youth about addiction and suicidal thoughts, he knows one thing from the trenches: community is messy.

Join him to hear about his journey of finding faith through community; even when he'd instead climb his spiritual mountain in personal worship, he stays amongst the Muslim Ummah and navigates their temperaments and needs.

About Imam Yasir:
Imam Yasir Khan was born and raised in Sacramento, CA, where he began memorizing the Quran in 2004 and completed his Hifdh in 2008. He pursued advanced Islamic Studies at the Islamic University of Darul Uloom Zakariyya in South Africa, where he earned certifications (Ijazah) in various Islamic sciences, including Tafsir (Quranic Exegesis), Hadith (Prophetic Traditions), Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence), Usul al-Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence), Aqeedah (Islamic Theology), and Qira’at (Science of Quranic Recitation).

During his studies, Imam Yasir also gained certification as an Arabic Braille instructor, empowering visually impaired individuals to read the Quran. His time at Darul Uloom Zakariyya provided him with a solid foundation in Islamic knowledge and extensive experience in nonprofit work, which he has used to serve communities effectively.

In 2015, Imam Yasir founded Al-Misbaah, which has grown from a small office to a multi-location organization providing critical services to thousands of individuals. He is also recognized as the first Muslim chaplain appointed to the California State Legislature.

Imam Yasir’s leadership roles reflect his commitment to serving diverse communities while fostering unity and faith-based values. His work bridges religious guidance and practical solutions to modern challenges, significantly impacting locally and regionally.

This talk was delivered at the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on Friday, January 3, 2025.

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