By Nargis Rahman
A prominent figure in Detroit’s Muslim community passed away last Thursday, Imam Nadir Ahmad, director and founder of the Al-Ikhlas Training Academy in Detroit.
CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid says Ahmad was a luminary.
“From moving to Michigan in 1980 until his recent passing, Imam Nadir was the primary advocate for the incumbency of Islamic education for Muslim children in Detroit,” he says.
Walid says Ahmad worked hard for the community.
“I have never witnessed a man such as him in terms of dedication and consistency to Islamic education especially in the face of critical health problems and hardships,” Walid says.
Eric Sabree is the Wayne County Treasurer. He first met Ahmad in 1980 at the Wayne County Community College, where they were both students.
Sabree says Ahmad moved to Detroit from Virginia to take part in the new Islam and Arabic at the Muslim World Studies Program at WCCC with Dr. Abdulmumin Shakir, also noted in an interview for the oral history Dream Storytelling Project.
“This was a unique program in the country. And some people came from all over the country to attend, to go to school and study. And Nadir and his wife came here from Virginia,” Sabree shares.
He says they both attended Masjid Wali Muhammad in Detroit.
Sabree says he knew Ahmad as a man who did not complain despite his health complications. Ahmad served in the Vietnam War as a tank mechanic.
Sabree says Ahmad was dealing with personal health issues for a long time from exposure to Agent Orange, an herbicide and defoliant, used during the Vietnam War which causes significant health complications.
“After all these years of battling, he didn’t let his health issues interfere with what he was doing his work. He continued with doing dialysis twice a week. He just worked as though nothing was going wrong. He never complained,” Sabree says.
Sabree says Ahmad touched the lives of 1,000s of students. Ahmad taught at the Clara Muhammad School in Detroit. He also served as an assistant principal, and principal. In 1991 he established the Al-Ikhlas Training Academy in Detroit to provide an opportunity for all children to have access to an Islamic education, through subsidized or no cost education.
Sabree says he put his heart and soul into the school – from waxing the floors to leading teacher meetings.
“He did everything. He was just a tremendous role model or example for anyone who’s trying to talk about dedication and commitment,” Sabree says.
Walid says Ahmad’s loss is significant to the Muslim community.
“He’s like a father to three generations of Muslims in our community. His passing is an incredible loss to us all,” he says.
Sabree says no one can fill his shoes.
“It’s a big loss, but also an encouragement for people to step up and do more. And that’s so that’s, that’s how I look at it. He’s one of those people you just don’t replace,” he shares.
Ahmad’s funeral prayer was held at the Muslim Center in Detroit, followed by his burial at Woodmere Cemetery.
His funeral prayer was attended by at least 500 people, Sabree says, noting there were four janazah prayers held due to the number of people.
Remembering a legend
Hundreds of people posted on Facebook to share their memories of Imam Nadir Ahmad.
His daughter Ameerah Ahmad wrote, “I am absolutely blown away by the outpouring of love and respect shown for my father today. I wrote my tribute as a ‘Tribute for a Giant,’ but seeing the crowd today, it was clear that this was a Funeral for a King.”
She thanked people for connecting with his family.
“Thank you so much to everyone who came out to pay your final respects and for making a difficult day feel so full of light. Your presence meant the world to me and my family. We love each and every one of you truly so much. Mission complete. You were loved by so many, Dad,” she shares.
Keisha Shakoor, daughter of late Honorable Judge Adam Shakoor, says Ahmad’s death has brought people together.
She says her father and Ahmad were dear friends.
On Facebook she shared a reflection of Ahmad, saying, “Bro. Nadir was not simply a man of titles, he was a man of impact. A man whose presence shaped the moral spine of an entire community,” she says.
“When Sister Clara Muhammad School first opened its doors inside Masjid Wali Muhammad on Linwood in Detroit, Bro. Nadir did more than help build a school, he helped build souls. He welcomed our children into a sacred space not just to learn, but to become. To believe. To stand tall in who they were… as Muslims, as students, and as future leaders.
Many of us carry the lessons Bro. Nadir not in notebooks, but in our character. He helped form our moral fiber, strengthening our faith, and our trust in Allah through consistency, patience, and unwavering example. Alhumdulilah.”
Former Michigan State Representative Abraham Aiyash posted on Facebook saying, “Detroit lost a titan today. Imam Nadir poured his love and life’s work to build our youth.”
Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alharbi attended his funeral, and shared Ahmad left a lasting impact on him.
“Imam Nadir was more than a founder; he was a mentor and a pillar of strength for all of us. This loss is also personal for my family, as my daughter attended Al-Ikhlas Academy, and we have seen firsthand the impact of the foundation he built. His presence will be deeply missed, but his legacy of service and compassion lives on in the generations he helped shape,” he says.
Many people describe Ahmad as a father figure.
Global Charity Teams is collecting money to create a well in Ahmad’s honor.
Several former and current Al-Ikhlas students, and community members are also coming together on different efforts to honor his legacy.
Ahmad’s death comes just a week after the passing of Al-Ikhlas graduate, Madou Doumbia, who passed away after returning from umrah.
