Islamic Center of Scranton

Edited July 14

Meet the Imam: Ahmed Mahgoub

If you’ve stepped foot in the masjid over the last year, you’ve definitely seen Imam Ahmed Mahgoub—usually running between leading prayers, teaching kids, or tending to the community garden. Since joining us, he has done a bit of everything to make our masjid feel like a true home.

But before he was our resident Imam,
Ahmed had a whole other chapter (or two) across the globe. Here is a quick look at the man behind the Friday Jummah khutbah :
From Cairo to Doha to Scranton
Al-Azhar Roots: Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, Imam Ahmed earned his degree from the prestigious Al-Azhar University (Faculty of Arts and Education). That deep foundation in classical education is exactly why his classes and Halaqas are so engaging.

The High School Hustle: For nearly a decade (2009–2018), he lived in Doha, Qatar, teaching advanced high school English at Omar Bin AbdulAziz High School. If you think managing a masjid is tough, try keeping a room full of teenagers focused on English grammar! That background means he brings serious class management, innovative teaching methods, and sharp communication to our youth programs.

The Ultimate Multitasker: With a background in project management and a knack for fast learning, he seamlessly made the leap from international classrooms to community leadership here in the States.

What He’s Been Up To Lately:
Imam Ahmed has helped establish consistency in regular salah and delivers khutbah that bridge timeless spiritual lessons with modern life.

Last year, Imam Ahmed planted a community garden that literally fed the congregation. Come for the spiritual nourishment, leave with fresh produce!

Camp Counselor Extraordinaire: He is officially back for his second year steering the ship for our kids' summer camp. (Shout out to his time in the high school trenches for giving him that endless patience.)

From leading Halaqas and assisting in Sunday school to teaching Quran and welcoming new Muslims reverts, he ensures our community is learning and growing at every stage of life.

Making Space for Everyone
Whether you are a regular who occupies the same spot every Friday or a traveler just passing through Scranton looking for a welcoming place to pray and a cup of tea, Imam Ahmed has worked tirelessly to make our masjid accessible, warm, and open to all. Be it in Arabic or English, he’s always down for a solid conversation, a tafseer or a quick mentorship chat.
We are incredibly grateful for the global experience and local dedication he has brought to our community over the past year.
Next time you see him in the masjid, make sure to say a big Assalamu Alaikum and thank him for his hard work!
May Allah continue to bless him. Ameen!