
Imam Sharif Mohamed is a spiritual pillar of Cedar-Riverside, guiding hearts with grace and purpose. His decades of da’wah, youth mentorship, and healing leadership have made him a beacon for faith and unity in Minnesota.
Imam Sharif brings depth in community guidance and religious education. His professional expertise includes:
Community Leadership Recognition – MAS-MN
Youth Impact Award – Dar Al-Hijrah Mosque
Featured in MNHS MNopedia (2017): MNopedia Entry – Dar Al-Hijrah
Media Feature: MPR News – Mosque Rebuild After Fire (2014)
Oral History Archive: MNHS Somali Skyline Tower Collection (2004)
Presentation: Augsburg Digi-Tours – Dar Al-Hijrah
Imam Sharif Mohamed grew up in Somalia and in 1996 immigrated to the United States. In 1998 hecofounded the first Mosque to be opened by the Somali community in Minnesota. Under his leadership the Dar Al- Hijrah Mosque has evolved into a larger and influential civic institution, leading efforts to connect to full diversity of our Minnesota community, provide needed spiritual, civic, and healthcare related services.
In 2014, Imam Sharif became Minnesota’s first Muslim Interfaith Hospital Chaplain, meeting the profound needs of all patients and their families, while they face some of the most complex moments in their lives. Recognizing the unique position, he was in, he then developed one of the first programs I the nation to reach out to Muslim refugee faith leaders to explore chaplaincy as a career choice.
Imam Sharif remains a central figure in the East African immigrant communities of our region, nationally, and globally. His research exploring the role of faith in improving public health issues such as vaccination, preventative medicine, and other public health issues has been published in several medical journals
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