PART IV
THE COMING OF THE IMAM/RELIGIOUS DIRECTOR
CHAPTER 10
The Imam's Background
Talal Eid's history begins as a young boy in Tripoli, Lebanon. He was always certain he wanted to become an imam and was encouraged by his father. His training began early in a private high school where he earned a degree in Islamic law and ethics through the study of al-shari ah (Divinely revealed law). Azhar of Lebanon in Beirut was a five year high school required as prerequisite for Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. The curriculum included secular sciences as well as Islamic sciences. In 1974, he earned his degree from the School of Legislation and Law at Al-Azhar University.
After graduation, he taught high school for a year, became a half-time imam at a local mosque for two years, and finally was appointed to a mosque in Tripoli as a full-time imam.
Eid recalled his experience as a young imam. At the height of Lebanon's civil war, he would give his Friday khutbah on peace and brotherhood. When the people decided that they had heard enough from this "idealistic" imam, they demanded that he speak on the merits of jihad (fighting or striving in the way of God). Unwilling to support the civil war, Imam Eid applied for a position in America. The chief Islamic scholar (Mufti) of Lebanon nominated him to the Muslim World League (of Mecca) for appointment to a mosque in America.
Imam Eid, at age 30, arrived with his family in March of 1982 and is currently (February, 1992) the Religious Director of the Center. He is the only graduate of al-Azhar University in the New England area and chairs the Majlis Al-Shurah (consultative council) of the Islamic Council of New England. In June, 1991, he received his Masters in Theological Studies from the Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA.