ISNA Offers Condolences on the Passing Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr

ISNA Offers Condolences on the Passing of American Muslim Pioneer and Leader Dr. Ahmad H. Sakr

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) offered heartfelt condolences on the passing of American Muslim community leader and pioneer Dr. Ahmad Sakr.

In a statement ISNA President Azhar Azeez said:

"We surely belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. Today is indeed a very sad day for all American Muslims. Dr. Ahmad Sakr was among the early pioneers of Islamic work in North America. He established many organizations and institutions including MSA and ISNA. He was the author of more than 50 books. He was the most popular and sought after speaker of his time. On behalf of ISNA, I extend my deepest condolences to Dr. Ahmad Sakr's entire family and pray to Allah Subhana wa ta'Ala to grant him the highest place in paradise."

Dr. Ahmad Sakr was by profession an educator, and has taught in several universities. In 1973, he was selected as an Outstanding Educator of America. He also served as the acting president of the American Islamic College in Chicago and 1976/1977 he was selected as a Community Leader and a Noteworthy American.

Dr. Sakr received his academic education at the American University in Beirut, and the University of Illinois where he got his Ph.D. He received his Islamic education through tutoring from the late Grand Mufti of Lebanon as well as from a large number of Muslim scholars from neighboring countries.

He was a founding member (in 1963) and president of the Muslim Students' Association of the U.S.A and Canada (MSA), which helped to form the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), an umbrella organization in North America in 1981. Dr. Sakr was also a founding member of the World Council of Mosques whose headquarters is in Makkah, and was the first director and representative of the Muslim World League to the U.N.

Before his passing, Dr. Sakr was the president of the Foundation for Islamic Knowledge, director of the Islamic Education Center in Walnut, California, a member of Operation Safe Community, a member of the Walnut Interfaith Council in California and a board member of the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA).

This news has been read 1215 times in total