Consultative Body

Shaykh Abbas Haidar Ali Al-Hirali Al-Baghdadi was born in Baghdad, Iraq. He moved to Iran, where he begun his formal studies in Islamic sciences at the seminaries. He then moved to Isfahan, where he studied jurisprudence and principles of jurisprudence until 1992. Shaykh Abbas later enrolled in the Faculty of Sharia at the Islamic University in London through correspondence, benefiting from esteemed professors. Since 1987, Shaykh Abbas has been actively involved in public speaking, religious propagation, and leading mourning sessions for Imam Hussain (p) in the United States, and Canada. He continues to serve in Calgary at the Imam Ali (p) Center, where he offers religious lectures, resolves family and social disputes, and provides personal services to the community.

Shaykh Abdul Menhem Charara began his studies at the religious seminary (Hawza) in Qom in 1983 and continued for twenty years under prominent scholars. In 2003, he moved from Qom to Canada to assume responsibility for the Imam Hussain Foundation in Windsor where he developed several initiatives to continue to support thriving religious, educational, and cultural programs, with the cooperation of dedicated teams and the community.

Shaykh Fawzi al-Battahi, born in Baghdad, Iraq. After earning a BA degree in Economics, he moved to Qom, Iran, where he joined the Islamic seminary and earned an MA in Philosophy. Shaykh al-Battahi, currently based in Atlanta, Georgia, serves as the resident scholar at al-Rasoul Center and leads numerous community initiatives, including teaching, counseling, and promoting Islam in challenging environments. A researcher and author, he has written extensively on Islamic philosophy and ethics. He is also a Board member of I.M.A.M., a Consultative Committee member of the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America, and a representative of Grand Ayatullah Sayyid al-Sistani and Ayatullah Sayyid Saeed al-Hakim.

Shaykh Hazem al-Zirjawi graduated from Baghdad Technical Institute in 1986 and joined the Islamic seminary in Qom, Iran, in 1988. He studied fiqh under Ayatullah Mirza Jawad Tabrizi and usul al-fiqh under Shaykh Hussain Wahid Khurasani, with additional theological and philosophical studies under Shaykh Jaafar Sobhani and Sayyid al-Haidary. He has taught seminary classes in Canada, the United States, as well as courses for the Islamic University in London. A scholar, researcher, and lecturer, Shaykh al-Zirjawi has authored research articles, two unpublished manuscripts, and has delivered sermons and lectures for over two decades. He currently serves as a scholar and educator at I.M.A.M.

Sayyid Hussain Hashemi is a distinguished scholar, educator, and author trained in the seminaries of Mashhad and Najaf. With over three decades of teaching in seminaries and universities in Mashhad, he earned recognition as an exemplary instructor. He has authored several books and has been deeply committed to Islamic outreach, preaching, and education. Now residing in the U.S., he focuses on Quranic work and mentoring the younger generation.

Sayyid Hossein Saberi was born into a religious family and began his education in Quran and Persian literature at an early age. Sayyid Saberi was one of the seminary's outstanding and distinguished students. He received valuable awards such as Tafsir Majma’ al-Bayan and Tafsir al-Mizan from distinguished professors. In Mashhad, he founded the "Sayyid al-Shuhada' Seminary" to serve the youth and address their needs. This seminary has educated many individuals in various fields, including literacy and seminary sciences, with many students now active across the globe.

Sayyid Dr. Kazem Mesbah Moosavi was born in Mashhad, Iran, where he studied and researched at the Islamic Seminary of Qom for over 25 years. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from McGill University in Montreal and has taught Philosophy, Theology, and Jurisprudence at various universities, including McGill, Tehran University, and Amir Kabir University. He has also participated in research groups focused on the Sociology of Knowledge and the Psychology of Happiness. Dr. Moosavi is an active participant in academic conferences across Canada and the U.S., having contributed to discussions at institutions such as McGill University, the University of Toronto, and Binghamton University.

Shaykh Mahdi Rastani was born and raised in the US. After finishing high school, he joined the Islamic Seminary of Qom and completed six years of introductory and intermediate studies. Afterwards, he continued his studies for another three years under the supervision of prominent scholars including Ayatullah Sayyid Hashemi Shahroudi. Shaykh Mahdi has made many trips throughout the United States and Europe lecturing on and teaching Islamic teachings based on the Shi’a school of thought in English, Farsi and Arabic.

Sayyid Mehboob Mehdi Abidi al-Najafi, son of Hujjatul Islam Sayyid Abul Hashim Abidi, was born in Nauganwa Sadat, India, and raised in Najaf, Iraq. He pursued Islamic studies at Jamia Nazimia in India, completing advanced studies under prominent scholars in Qom and Najaf. A renowned orator, author, and translator, he has edited the Urdu magazine Al-Ghadir, conducted Quran commentary classes for 17 years, and promoted interfaith dialogue. Fluent in multiple languages, Sayyid Abidi travels extensively for lectures and youth programs. He founded several organizations, including Hadi School of Excellence and the International Baqee Organization. Currently, he serves as the resident scholar and custodian of the Islamic Education Center (Husaini) in Chicago, under the guidance of Ayatullah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, and is a member of I.M.A.M. and the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America.

Shaykh Mohammad al-Ali al-Halabi joined the Islamic seminary in the city of Qom, Iran, in 1987 and continued studying until 1999, under prominent scholars. He has taught and continues to teach both traditional and academic seminary courses in the United States in several centers and institutions In addition, he taught Arabic to non-native speakers at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and The Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C. He has published many articles and research papers about religious, cultural, and intellectual affairs. Shaykh al-Halabi has been preaching for over three decades, and he is active in dialogue, literary, and intellectual forums. He currently contributes to I.M.A.M. as an imam, scholar, teacher, lecturer, and the Administrator of the Religious Affairs Office in Dearborn, Michigan.

Shaykh Mohammad Ali Elahi began his Hawzah studies from a young age. In 1990, he was invited to the World Religions Conference in San Francisco. During this time he visited Michigan, where, he received an invitation to serve the Islamic Center of America. He moved to Dearborn, Michigan in 1991 where he served as Imam and Director of the Islamic Center. In 1995, he helped establish the Islamic House of Wisdom, a center focused on the mission of faith, education, justice, love, outreach, and action, where he currently serves as the Spiritual Leader.

Sayyid Mohammad Baqir Kashmiri, grandson of Ayatullah Sayyid Murtadha al-Ridhawi al-Kashmiri, hails from a distinguished scholarly lineage. He serves as the representative of Ayatullah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani in North America and oversees I.M.A.M. as Vice Chairman and Religious Affairs Director. He works to support the Shia community by addressing religious, educational, and legal matters while fostering unity among Islamic centers. A scholar, writer, and lecturer, Sayyid Kashmiri has authored books, supervised Islamic publications, and delivered speeches on various topics, including Quran interpretation and Islamic principles. Active in community building, he organizes religious affairs, guides aspiring scholars, and promotes a cohesive Shia Muslim presence in North America.

Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi was born into a scholarly family in Bihar, India, and later migrated to Tanzania, where he received his elementary education and studied Arabic and Persian with his father and other scholars. He moved to Qom, Iran, to pursue Islamic seminary studies and reached the advanced (bahth al-kharij) levels under renowned scholars such as Ayatullah Shaykh Wahid Khurāsāni. He also holds a Master of Arts in History from Simon Fraser University. He is currently based in Toronto, where he serves as the Director of the Islamic Education & Information Center and was instrumental in founding the As-Sadiq Islamic School. He is a co-founder of the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America and currently serves as its Secretary-General, as well as the Head of the Urgent and Crescent Committees.

Shaykh Muhammad Sarwar is a Pakistani-born American Islamic scholar, specializing in Islamic theology and philosophy. He is known for being the first representative of the late Ayatollah Abul-Qasim al-Khoei to the Shia Muslims of North America. In 1975, he moved to New York and founded the Islamic Seminary, the first Shia center outside New York City. This seminary focused on Shia theology and principles. Shaykh Sarwar has authored and translated numerous works, including his well-known English translation of the Quran, The Holy Quran; Arabic Text and English Translation, first published in 1982. His translation is known for its clarity and simplicity, with the 2011 sixth edition presenting the Arabic text alongside the English translation. He is currently working on translating Bihar al-Anwar, a comprehensive 110-volume hadith encyclopedia.

Sayyid Nabil Hussein Abbas Al-Mousawi Al-Amili is a distinguished religious scholar, educator, and community leader. He pursued Islamic studies in Najaf, Iraq, under prominent scholars. In 1990, he was appointed as the representative of the Supreme Islamic Shia Council in Canada, later becoming the representative of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Al-Husseini Al-Sistani. As the Imam of the Lebanese Islamic Center in Montreal, he has transformed it into a prominent religious and humanitarian institution. Sayyid Nabil actively participates in interfaith dialogue and cultural initiatives. He holds a Master’s in Islamic Studies and a Doctorate on contemporary Islamic thought from Université de Sherbrooke. A founding member and trustee of the Council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America, he continues to serve Islamic communities across Canada.

Shaykh Dr. Rasoul Naghavi Nia earned his Ph.D. in Arabic and Islamic Studies from Georgetown University and holds a Fourth Level of Hawza in Islamic Jurisprudence and usul al-fiqh from the Islamic Seminary of Qom. He also holds an MA in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding from Eastern Mennonite University. Dr. Naghavi has published books and articles on Islamic studies, including Contemporary Shia Jurisprudence, a graduate textbook in Iranian women’s seminaries, and Gods of Earth, analyzing allegiance to unjust rulers. His notable articles cover topics such as political crimes, religious liberty, and legal change in Shia jurisprudence. Currently, he serves as a researcher, writer, and advisor at I.M.A.M. and is the director of the Mufid Academic Seminary (MAS).

Sayyid Sulayman Ali Hassan, a scholar born and raised in Western New York, studied Arabic and fiqh in Medina, NY, and earned a business administration degree from the University of Buffalo. In 1997, he began advanced studies in fiqh and history at the Seminary in Qum, Iran. Since returning to the U.S. in 2007, he has served as Religious Director at Baitul Ilm Academy and President of the Ahl al-Bayt Islamic Seminary. He also earned a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from the University of Chicago.