Today we’d like to introduce you to Yasir Qadhi
Hi Yasir, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Houston, TX to parents who immigrated here from Pakistan. My father was one of the first Pakistanis to come here for higher education (in 1963). While he didn’t come for any religious reasons, as one of the handful of immigrant Muslims at the time, he played a seminal role in the initial organization of Islamic activities of the nascent Muslim community, and founded the first Muslim student organization at the University of Houston, and then went on to found the first mosque in the city. Growing up, I realized I knew very little about my faith, and there weren’t too many opportunities here in America to study Islam. Hence, after graduating with my degree in engineering, I decided to change paths and take up studies at one of the most exclusive seminaries in the Muslim world, located in the Holy City of Medina, in Saudi Arabia. What began as a personal quest that was aimed to be a short stint transformed into a life-long passion and career. I spent the next ten years in Saudi Arabia, eventually returning to America to complete a PhD from Yale in Islamic Studies. I took up a teaching position in Memphis, TN for another decade, before deciding to return to Texas full time, opting for the great city of Dallas. This is my sixth year here, and it’s been great!
I chose Dallas because the last decade has witnessed one of the most phenomenal growths of Muslims in America. People from all over the country are flocking to Dallas, and the city has a national (and international) reputation of being a hub of American Muslims. Some of the largest mosques, and many prestigious institutes of learning, are now based in Dallas. I myself am the Dean of The Islamic Seminary of America, the first Seminary of its kind, and the first that is slated to be accredited at the graduate level. 40 years ago, when I wanted to pursue my training, there was nothing in America that could cater to religious education; now, there are over a dozen Institutes and Seminaries in America, and I’m humbled, and proud, to be the Dean of one of them.
I’m also the Resident Scholar of one of the largest mosques in the country, the East Plano Islamic Center. Our Friday prayers cater to a few thousand congregants, and our Ramadan services accommodate tens of thousands of people every week. Additionally, we have one of the largest food distribution projects to those in need; and during winter, we convert our gymnasium into a shelter for the homeless, and provide accommodations and meals to all those who need assistance.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I would like to think that the issues I’ve faced are trivial compared to so many others around the globe. Our faith teaches us to concentrate more on the blessings than the tragedies, and I remain ever grateful for all that has been given to me.
Still, there are many impediments on the road, personal, family, and societal. On a personal level, the uncertainty of the future, and the financial struggles early in my career, did complicate life slightly. My loving family (my wife and four kids) have had to uproot themselves multiple times as my career took me from one country and city to another. But perhaps the greatest challenge came from broader society: the fear and xenophobia that people have of ‘the other’, and attempting to combat those stereotypes and educate people who perhaps feel they don’t need to be educated, is always challenging, but in a fulfilling way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a preacher and and academic. I do wear multiple caps, and I find it rewarding to do so. I’m humbled that I’m one of the very few people who has combined a traditional, seminary training of Islam at a Middle Eastern madrasah with the academic study of the faith at an Ivy League.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important aspect of life is to have meaning and purpose in what you do. Far more important that income or salary is passion and nobility of being: do what you do for a greater cause, and you will be a better person for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yasirqadhi.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasir.qadhi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yasir.qadhi/
- Twitter: https://x.com/YasirQadhi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@YasirQadhi
