An Exploratory Study on American- Born Imams: Negotiating Pastoral Responsibilities and Expectations

Symbolic interactionism, applied in the context of Muslim clerics, suggests that society is constructed based on lived experiences and shared symbolic meanings where people see themselves social environment through eyes others. For this study, data collected from in-depth interviews were examined to investigate viewpoints occupational pathways American born imams. Thus, study explored responsibilities assigned imams their communal objectives. Overall, found several challenges experienced, professional organizational. Utilizing these issues explicated, following overarching themes generated: received inadequate training as religious leaders communities, relationships between mosque board an imam can directly reinforce or mitigate a challenging work environment, it most advantageous for communities hire American-born over foreign-born The findings indicate organizational support extended boards leads not only amicable relationship but more productive community engagement.