Imam Kashif Abdul-Karim reverted to the religion of Al-Islam 22 years ago, May 15, 1986.  He entered into the religion of Al-Islam in New Haven, Connecticut under the local direction of Imam Abdul Majid Karim Hasan and the national leadership of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed.  It was under Imam Abdul Majid Karim Hasan’s direction that he was encouraged to develop his studies of Al-Islam and enter into the field of Prison Ministry.  His background as a graduate from the University of Connecticut in 1985 set the stage for his role in Islamic Education and Prison Ministry.  He became a chaplain for the State of Connecticut in 1987 under the tutor ledge of senior chaplain Yayah Shakoor and former chaplain Abdul-Shaheed. He resigned in 2004 after 17 years of service to the Department of Correction.  While working in prison chaplaincy he performed Jumu’ah, Taalim, and classroom instruction on Islam, weddings, crisis intervention, and pastoral Care.

 Prison Chaplaincy and the Late Imam Jabir A. Jawwaad pressed him to develop himself islamically. He began to attend classes and programs for Islamic aggrandizement sponsored by The Mosque Cares and the leadership of Imam W. Deen Mohammed.  He has studied intensively under various imams supporting this leadership throughout the United States and under local scholars in the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad. He has also studied Arabic with American Muslim Scholars Imam Zaid Shakir and Imam Dawud Yasin. Kashif Abdul-Karim considers himself a sincere student and supporter of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed.

 In 1987, Kashif became involved with the Sister Clara Muhammad School in New Haven, Connecticut, under the guidance of Principal Zakiyyah Sharief-Hasan. He started as a Community Studies instructor teaching African American History. Over the next 14 years he would serve as an Islamic Studies teacher, curriculum coordinator, vice-principal and principal of the school. He also served as a curriculum coordinator for the North East Regional Department of Islamic Education and Principal for the Islamic Cooperative Home Schooling Network of Connecticut, A full-time alternative education program for Muslim youth and their parents.

 During his period in New Haven, Ct, Kashif served as Dawah Chairperson and Public Relations Chairperson for Muhammad Islamic Center in New Haven. He was the founder of Islamic Insight TV, one of the first broadcast programs in the State of Connecticut to teach the religion of Islam and spread the commentary of Imam W.D. Mohammed. He also started the Adhan Newsletter a monthly publication designed to share the interest of the Muslim community with the broader community of Connecticut.

 Kashif Abdul-Karim went to Hartford, Ct in 2002 at the invitation of The Late Imam Qasim Sharief to serve as Vice-Principal and now director / principal of The Clara Muhammad Supplemental Education Program. He embraced this opportunity to expand his conceptual ideas on Islamic education. Imam Qasim Sharief opened the door for him to work with The Mosque Cares Department of Islamic Education on national curriculum development for weekend schools. Kashif has worked with educational scholars on The National Framework for the Clara Muhammad School Curriculum. This curriculum has been accepted by Imam W.D. Mohammed and The Mosque Cares’ Department of Islamic Education. Kashif simultaneously serves as an instructor at Al Aziz Islamic Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut teaching Change and Transformation based on the commentary of Imam W. Deen Mohammed, under the direction of resident imam Nasif Muhammad. Kashif serves as a partner in the National business program of The Mosque Cares as a distributor in the Collective Purchasing Conference and a business partner in the local business efforts of Muhammad Islamic Center of Hartford through “Iqraa Bookstore Boutique and Things” During the illness of Imam Qasim Sharief, He served the community as acting Imam seeking diligently to maintain and preserve the great works of Imam Qasim Sharief. After Imam Qasim Sharief returned to Allah the community elected and ratified him as the new resident imam of Muhammad Islamic Center of Greater Hartford. As Resident Imam, He seeks to stabilize, and preserve Imam Qasim Sharief’s legacy while growing and developing the community through unified community participation based in the commentary, language, and leadership of Imam W. Deen Mohammed.

 Kashif is also President of Insight Productions Incorporated; a program specializing in workshops, photography, videography, desktop publishing and trainings on Al-Islam and culturally based programming for African Americans. In this capacity he performs quarterly training for social workers, psychologists and treatment providers for the Department of Children and families on “Islam and Muslim Children”. This has become a popular and sought after program through the D.C.F.’s training academy. In an effort to expand his personal service to the community he joined with Diversity Solutions to bring Diversity to the State of Connecticut. In This capacity he has provided training on Islam to Municipal Police Departments, Connecticut State Police, and The Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Kashif also serves as secretary for The New England Council of Masajid.

 Imam Kashif was selected on May 29, 2007 to be a representative for Muslims in The United States of America at the Global Civilization Study Centre in London, England. He represented the Indigenous Muslims of America and addressed the contributions of African American Muslims to America under the leadership of Imam W.D. Muhammad. Kashif has been selected to represent the Muslim Community of Connecticut in the movement against gun violence. This effort joins together The Brotherhood Leadership Summit of New Haven, The Christian Community Commission of New Haven, CTRIBAT and the Muslim American Community.

 Kashif has also been employed as a Parole Officer with the State of Connecticut’s Juvenile Justice Department, working with committed delinquent youth since 1989.

 Kashif has received many awards and recognition for Community Service. He has received awards from the African American Cultural Center of UConn, Muhammad Islamic Center of New Haven, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, The Networking Alliance of Black Social Workers, a Citation and Proclamation from The Honorable Mayor John Daniels for Service to the Community of New Haven, and on April 26, 2006 he received The Civil Service Award, from Oriental lodge #6 F & A.M. Prince Hall Free Masons for his work in Law Enforcement

 Kashif is divorced and has three children Samira, Gabriel and Joshua Abdul-Karim.

 All Praise is due to Allah, and to Allah Alone.