Imam Mohamad Jawad Chirri (October 1, 1905 – November 10, 1994) was the founder and director of the Islamic Center of America until his death.

Books authored

In addition to writing The Shi'ites Under Attack: Books about Islamic jurisprudence and its basis: A book about the caliphate: Books in English about Islam:

Mission

Imam Chirri's goal was to spread Islam in a country that had not known it and to a community that he felt was starving for it. The sizable Muslim community in the Dearborn/Detroit metro area can serve as an example of his influence.

Biography

Imam Mohamad Jawad Chirri was born in Lebanon to a Shi’a Muslim family. He was a graduate of the theological seminary of Najaf in Iraq. He then traveled to the United States of America in 1948.

Building the Islamic Center of Detroit

In 1959, Imam Mohamad Jawad Chirri traveled to the United Arab Republic (Egypt) to meet with President Gamal Abdel Nasser to seek financial assistance in building a new mosque in America. The Islamic Center of Detroit (which would later be renamed the Islamic Center of America) opened its doors in 1962.