Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid

Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid (1951–2025) was an African-American imam, Muslim community leader, chaplain, and activist, widely known for his advocacy of religious pluralism, racial justice, and the empowerment of Black American Muslims. As the long-serving imam of the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood in Harlem, New York, and as president of the Islamic Leadership Council of Metropolitan New York, Imam Abdur-Rashid played a pivotal role in interfaith collaboration, prisoner chaplaincy, and the American Muslim drive for social equity and civil rights.

Early Life and Education

Imam Abdur-Rashid was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, during the Jim Crow era and raised in a Baptist family. His family relocated to the South Bronx, New York, in 1959, where he grew up amidst the social and racial upheavals of the civil rights movement. Profoundly influenced by the autobiography of Malcolm X, he converted to Islam in 1971 at the age of 20, viewing the faith both as a spiritual path and a vehicle for social justice.

Career

Abdur-Rashid joined the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood (MIB), Harlem's oldest Sunni mosque and the spiritual descendent of Muslim Mosque Inc., established by Malcolm X. He began serving as assistant imam in 1975 and became head imam in 1989, a position he held until his death in 2025.

He was instrumental in founding and leading key community initiatives, including:

• Amir of the Harlem Shura (a council of seven Harlem mosques)
• Board member and president of the Islamic Leadership Council (Majlis Ash-Shura) of New York
• Deputy Amir of the Muslim Alliance of North America (MANA)
• Founding member of the Muslim Alliance in North America​

A tireless advocate for prisoner rights, Abdur-Rashid served as a Muslim chaplain at Sing Sing Correctional Facility and other New York prisons for over a decade. He was also active as a counsellor for Muslims affected by AIDS and survivors of domestic violence, and he was known for his support of Imam Jamil Al-Amin (formerly H. Rap Brown) and other prisoners of conscience.

As a religious leader and public figure, he participated in and advised numerous interfaith bodies, including Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, A Partnership of Faith, the Temple of Understanding, the Interfaith Center of New York, and the NYC Department of Education Interfaith Advisory Council.​

He earned the affectionate nickname “the Hip Hop Imam” for his support of urban youth and collaboration with artists such as Mos Def and Q-Tip, helping bridge generational divides within the Muslim community.

Achievements

• Community Leadership: Head imam of the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood (1989–2025), guiding one of Harlem's most historic mosques and serving as a central figure in the American Muslim community.​
• Social Justice and Advocacy: Promoted police reform, racial justice, and prisoner rights, and opposed discriminatory practices such as "Stop and Frisk" and the surveillance of Muslims.​
• Interfaith Work: Honoured for community relations and interfaith engagement with awards including the All-Star Project’s Bridge Building Award (2013), the Micah Justice Award, and the Citizen of the City Award by the Police Reform Organising Project.​
• National and International Representation: Key American Muslim speaker at the International Conference on Religious Pluralism in Malaysia (2002), presenter at the Parliament of World Religions (Chicago, 1993; Capetown, 1999).

Books and Publications

Abdur-Rashid’s written legacy includes regular contributions to the New York Amsterdam News and engagement with prominent works such as "American Islam" by Richard Wormser, "Working on God" by Winifred Gallagher, and "Restoring Faith: America's Religious Leaders Answer Terror with Hope" (Forrest Church, ed.). He was the author of forthcoming books:

• ​Social Justice According to the Prophetic Paradigm
• Reclaimed Legacy: Muslim Indigenous and Immigrant Peoples and the History of Al-Islam in America

Personal Life

Abdur-Rashid’s personal life was deeply rooted in service to family and community, maintaining a commitment to the spiritual and material wellbeing of Harlem’s Muslim population. He was celebrated for his humility, warmth, and mentorship, though further details of his private family life remain largely confidential.

Death

Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid died in November 2025 at the age of 74. His passing was widely mourned within the American Muslim community and by interfaith partners, civic leaders, and social justice advocates. Tributes highlighted his decades of leadership, advocacy for religious pluralism, and enduring impact on Harlem’s Black Muslim community. Religious and civic organisations across New York City commemorated his lifelong service, reflecting the loss of a respected imam, activist, and mentor to many.

Legacy and Impact

Imam Talib Abdur-Rashid is remembered as a champion of religious pluralism, social justice, and dignity for all. His legacy includes the empowerment of African-American Muslims, sustained prisoner outreach, and transformative interfaith work in New York City and beyond. National news and Muslim organisations widely commemorated his life and contributions after his passing in November 2025, reflecting the enduring impact he had on the faith, rights, and unity of Muslim and interfaith communities.