Ihsan Bagby

Tracy Simmons 1-14-2013
betto rodrigues / Shutterstock.com

Shiite muslims in the parade of the Ashura festival on Nov. 18. betto rodrigues / Shutterstock.com

SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Islamic Center wants something mosques all across the country are seeking and can’t seem to find: an educated, bilingual, experienced imam who understands American culture.

According to the report “The American Mosque 2011” by University of Kentucky professor Ihsan Bagby, half of all mosques in the U.S. have no full-time staff, and only 44 percent of imams work as paid, full-time leaders.

In Spokane, the Muslim community has been seeking a leader for 18 months and counting.