09/09/2026
📣🕌 BIC Imam - Full Time Vacancy 🕌
🗓Deadline: 7th October 2026 at 7pm
💼Job Description: See below
If interested send a one page cover letter and CV at 📧[email protected]
Applications via any other means will NOT be accepted.
📌About the Role
Belfast Islamic Centre 🕌 has been established for nearly 50 years and serves a growing and diverse Muslim community representing more than 40 nationalities. BIC follow Sunni tradition whilst welcoming the congregation of all Muslim faith.
The Centre caters for all recognised schools of Islamic jurisprudence within Ahl al-Sunnah and the wider Islamic tradition. As a long established institution, we follow established and balanced practices that have served our community for decades. The successful Imam will be expected to respect and uphold these practices, fostering unity and continuity while serving the needs of the entire congregation.
We are seeking a qualified Imam to provide strong, balanced and inclusive religious leadership. The successful candidate will serve a multi-ethnic congregation, promote cohesion across different traditions and respond thoughtfully to the needs of young Muslims navigating contemporary challenges in a Western context.
In addition to religious leadership, the Imam will play an active role in encouraging charitable giving and supporting the Centre’s sustainability by helping generate donations and community support for its programmes and operations.
*📋Main Responsibilities*
✅ Lead the five daily congregational prayers.
✅ Deliver Jumu’ah and Eid sermons in both English and Arabic.
✅ Provide structured classes in Qur’an (including Tajweed and Hifz), Hadith, Fiqh, and core Islamic teachings for children, youth and adults.
✅ Offer scheduled religious counselling and pastoral support to individuals, Muslim reverts and families.
✅ Conduct services such as Nikah, Funeral and other religious duties as required.
✅ Promote good character, unity and mutual respect across different Islamic traditions represented within the Centre.
✅ Engage proactively with young people and develop relevant programmes that address contemporary challenges while remaining grounded in authentic Islamic teachings.
✅ Support and actively participate in Islamic events (including Ramadan, Eid and other key occasions).
✅ Encourage charitable giving (Sadaqah, Zakat and general donations) and help develop initiatives to generate financial support for the Centre’s programmes and operational sustainability.
✅ Work collaboratively and professionally with trustees, management and volunteers to support the effective running of the Centre’s religious and community activities.
✅ Represent the Centre positively within the wider community where appropriate.
*🔎Person Specification*
☑️ Formal Islamic scholarship from a recognised and reputable institution.
☑️ Sound knowledge of Qur’an, Hadith, and Islamic jurisprudence.
☑️ Commitment to serving a congregation that includes followers of all recognised schools of thought within Islam.
☑️ Fluency in English (essential), with the ability to read, speak and understand Arabic at a competent level.
☑️ Demonstrated experience delivering sermons and engaging audiences effectively, ideally within a UK or Western context.
☑️ Strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence and the ability to work constructively with trustees and volunteers.
☑️ Proven ability to mentor and inspire young people.
☑️ Understanding of safeguarding requirements and willingness to comply with all regulatory and legal obligations in Northern Ireland.
☑️ Right to work in the UK (or eligibility to obtain it).
*❓Why Join Us – A Distinctive Leadership Opportunity*
This position offers a rare opportunity to serve not only a well established Islamic Centre, but the wider Muslim community of Northern Ireland.
Belfast offers an excellent quality of life, with a cost of living that is typically around 15–20% lower than many major mainland UK cities, particularly in terms of housing and everyday expenses. The city is also known for its strong education system, including a number of high-performing schools and access to publicly funded grammar schools. In addition, the Muslim community here is smaller, closely connected, and well-integrated, providing an Imam with the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and make a visible, lasting impact within the community.
Due to the unique context of Northern Ireland, this role carries a broader leadership dimension. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:
☪ Serve and represent Muslims from all backgrounds across Northern Ireland.
☪ Engage in interfaith forums and build constructive relationships with leaders of other faith communities.
☪ Participate in civic and governmental discussions at respected and high-profile levels.
☪ Present Islam as a faith committed to good citizenship, service and positive contribution to society.
This is not simply a congregational post. It is an opportunity to become a recognised and respected community leader contributing locally while also engaging across the UK and Ireland and potentially at wider international platforms.
For an Imam who combines sound scholarship with vision, confidence and the ability to represent Islam with wisdom and professionalism, this role offers both responsibility and distinction.
*🪙Salary and Benefits*
- Salary will be offered in line with standard market rates, scaled between *£21,000 – £37,000 per annum*, depending on qualifications, experience and suitability for the role.
- Paid annual leave in accordance with statutory requirements.
- Pension contributions in line with legal obligations.
- Probationary period (6 months), subject to satisfactory performance and community feedback.
*Working Pattern*
This is a full-time role.
Core duties include prayer leadership, sermon delivery, teaching, pastoral care and scheduled community engagement. Working hours will include Fridays, evenings, weekends and key Islamic occasions, arranged in coordination with the Centre’s management and trustees.
The Imam will report directly to the Board of Trustees (or appointed management representative) and will be expected to maintain professionalism, accountability and transparency in fulfilling his duties.
