On a Sunday afternoon in June at the Islamic Society of Vermont's mosque in Colchester, eight boys and girls sat cross-legged on a plush red carpet, each holding a copy of the Koran. They listened attentively as Imam Islam Hassan explained the rules of the Koran memorization competition that would be held in a few weeks to mark the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. "What do [the winners] get?" asked a girl, grinning. "The memorization of the Koran is the prize," pointed out a parent, who sat within earshot. "There will be a prize," the Egyptian-born imam assured his student. He turned to the Koran app on his iPad. "All right, we'll read 10 more verses." Such scenes have been commonplace since Imam Islam was hired in 2011 as the first full-time imam — meaning "leader"— of this inclusive community mosque. It has grown by leaps and bounds since its founding 22 years ago. But that era is approaching a close. On May 26, the eve of Ramadan, Imam Islam announced that he and his family would be moving to Ohio at the end of June. The news shocked many members. "I was very sad when I heard that," said Hamed Camdzic, a Bosnian American who goes to the mosque regularly. He organizes his work schedule as a Green Mountain Transit driver so he can attend Friday midday prayers, which Muslim men are required to perform together. "He's a very nice person. He taught us many things," Camdzic said of the imam. "I feel like an orphan," said Nausheen Azhar. The South Burlington resident and her sons have attended classes taught by the imam. According to the 38-year-old imam, who lived in Minnesota previously, "It was a combination of things that made us decide to go. We figured out what's best for us and ... our two daughters," he said. On July 15, he'll assume his new position as the imam of the Islamic Center of Cleveland. According to Taysir Al-Khatib, president of ISVT and one of its founding members, the imam's decision didn't come as a surprise. "We know there's a time for everything. He did his dues," he said. "He wants to try something else; I don't blame him." Regardless, everyone agrees that the maturation of the Islamic community in Vermont has been linked to Imam Islam's personal and professional development. "[To say] that this…
On a Sunday afternoon in June at the Islamic Society of Vermont's mosque in Colchester, eight boys and girls sat cross-legged on a plush red carpet, each holding a copy of the Koran. They listened attentively as Imam Islam Hassan explained the rules of the Koran memorization competition that would be held in a few weeks to mark the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. "What do [the winners] get?" asked a girl, grinning. "The memorization of the Koran is the prize," pointed out a parent, who sat within earshot. "There will be a prize," the Egyptian-born imam assured his student. He turned to the Koran app on his iPad. "All right, we'll read 10 more verses." Such scenes have been commonplace since Imam Islam was hired in 2011 as the first full-time imam — meaning "leader"— of this inclusive community mosque. It has grown by leaps and bounds since its founding 22 years ago. But that era is approaching a close. On May 26, the eve of Ramadan, Imam Islam announced that he and his family would be moving to Ohio at the end of June. The news shocked many members. "I was very sad when I heard that," said Hamed Camdzic, a Bosnian American who goes to the mosque regularly. He organizes his work schedule as a Green Mountain Transit driver so he can attend Friday midday prayers, which Muslim men are required to perform together. "He's a very nice person. He taught us many things," Camdzic said of the imam. "I feel like an orphan," said Nausheen Azhar. The South Burlington resident and her sons have attended classes taught by the imam. According to the 38-year-old imam, who lived in Minnesota previously, "It was a combination of things that made us decide to go. We figured out what's best for us and ... our two daughters," he said. On July 15, he'll assume his new position as the imam of the Islamic Center of Cleveland. According to Taysir Al-Khatib, president of ISVT and one of its founding members, the imam's decision didn't come as a surprise. "We know there's a time for everything. He did his dues," he said. "He wants to try something else; I don't blame him." Regardless, everyone agrees that the maturation of the Islamic community in Vermont has been linked to Imam Islam's personal and professional development. "[To say] that this…