Meet Imam Sharif Ahmed
Imam and Director of Education – Islamic Center of Williamson County

Imam Sharif Ahmed is a highly respected Islamic scholar and educator with over a decade of experience in Islamic education and Arabic language instruction for both children and adults. He holds a Master’s Degree in Tafsir and Ulum Al-Qur’an from a prestigious institution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Imam Sharif is a certified Hafidh of the Qur’an and a skilled Qari’, qualified in at least two Qira’at. He also holds multiple Ijazahs (traditional Islamic certifications) in Islamic Sciences and Da’wah, authorizing him to teach and interpret Qur’anic exegesis (tafsir), Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), Hadith, Arabic, and Qur’anic recitation (tajwid).

Currently, Imam Sharif serves as the Imam and Director of Education at the Islamic Center of Williamson County in Franklin, Tennessee. He previously held the same position for nine years at the Islamic Center of Tennessee in Antioch. In these roles, he has led daily prayers, delivered Jumu’ah sermons, organized Ramadan Taraweeh prayers, and performed both matrimonial and funeral services. His work also includes family and youth counseling, Qur’an and Hadith classes, Seerah and Fiqh lessons, and outreach to new Muslims. Imam Sharif has been instrumental in building interfaith bridges and representing the Muslim community at public events and conventions.

Earlier in his career, he taught Arabic and Islamic Studies at Al-Furqan Islamic School in Mombasa, Kenya, where he developed curricula and led classes for both youth and adults. He also served as a volunteer Imam and educator at Masjid Al-Iman in Mogadishu, Somalia, where he led prayers, organized youth programs, and managed media and public relations.

Imam Sharif’s academic credentials include:

• Master’s in Tafsir and Ulum Al-Qur’an

• Bachelor’s in Education (with a concentration in Math and Physics)

• Multiple Ijazahs in Islamic Studies and Da’wah

• Diplomas in Arabic and English Language Proficiency

• The highest-level Ijaza in the Hafs narration of the Qur’an, with a chain of transmission (sanad) tracing back to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

In addition to his religious and academic qualifications, Imam Sharif brings a diverse skill set, including team leadership, public speaking, and community outreach. He is multilingual—fluent in Arabic, Somali, Kiswahili, and English—and has received training in family counseling, software applications, media relations, Da’wah workshops, and interfaith engagement. He has also completed safety and anti-terrorism programs in collaboration with federal agencies.

Imam Sharif is known for his humility, warmth, and dedication to community service. His passion for teaching, mentoring, and empowering others continues to inspire those around him.