Imam Jihad Saafir
Imam Jihad Saafir is one of the founders of Islah Academy, a kindergarten through eighth grade Islamic school founded in 2014 in South Los Angeles. He also serves as director of the school, which occupies the former home of the Marcus Garvey school at 29th and Slauson Ave.
“We knew what we wanted to do but we weren’t exactly sure how we were going to achieve that, especially being in a community where we don’t have the resources that other communities have,” Saafir said.
Despite the challenges, Islah Academy has surpassed Saafir’s high expectations.
“I think it’s gone beyond what we envisioned,” he says. “Of course, we have our moments, and it’s a struggle, but I think it’s well worth it.”
Professional: Saafir has a Bachelor’s degree in Arabic studies, a Master’s in Islamic leadership and is working toward a Ph.D. in practical theology at the Claremont School of Theology. He is founder of Islah LA, a nonprofit that provides social services in the L.A. area.
Personal: Saafir, his wife Garland and their daughter, Sadiyah, live in South Pasadena. Jihad is the son of Imam Saadiq Saafir, a longtime influential leader in the L.A. community.
Last book read: “Cool Pose: The Dilemmas of Black Manhood in America” by Richard Majors and Janet Mancini Billson.
Quotable: “My faith motivates everything. I’m constantly studying, deriving principles from the Quran. My faith motivates in attempting to be a good father, attempting to be a good husband, attempting to be a good community leader. It motivates everything that we do that is good.”