Meet Our Imams

Sami Zaharna
Lead Imam

Imam Sami Zaharna, a Maryland native of Palestinian heritage, is the Lead Imam and an MFC Board Member. He holds a degree in Computer Science and multiple Ijazahs in Islamic studies, including Quran, Hadith, and Jurisprudence. A a’lamiyyah graduate of Al-Salam Institute under the tutelage of Sheikh Akram Nadwi, he is passionate about reviving the Prophetic model of Tarbiyah through community development. Sami lives in Maryland with his wife and five children.

Currently, Imam Sami primarily leads the salah at Gateway Masjid and delivers the Friday khutbah most weeks at Gateway. He also teaches the Riwaq Gatherings on Wednesdays and the Echoes of Sakeenah Qur’an circles on Saturday mornings.

To meet with Imam Sami, you may:

Ust. Muhammad Abdel-Motagaly
Associate Imam, Youth

Ust. Muhammad Abdel-Motagaly serves as a part-time Associate Imam with a focus on youth programming and development.

Since first joining us four years ago to lead Taraweeh, he has become a beloved teacher in our Maktab program, a mentor to many of our youth, and a trusted presence within our community.

At a young age, Ust. Muhammad had memorized the Qur’an and received two ijazahs in Hafs ‘an ‘Asim. He later graduated from the University of Maryland in 2021 with a degree in Computer Science, while continuing to pursue the study of the Islamic sciences. Over the years, he has completed numerous classical texts with local teachers across various disciplines and is currently continuing his ‘Alamiyyah studies at the Qalam Seminary.

In this new role, Ust. Muhammad will help lead and shape our youth programming, delivering halaqahs and helping guide the religious vision and educational direction of both our brothers’ and sisters’ youth activities. He will also assist the Office of Imam in areas of community religious life, including rituals, khutbah support, and pastoral care.

One of his latest efforts, alongside our Youth Director Sr. Shahd, is the Ibn Abbas Youth Summer Camp, where he will be teaching daily sessions focused on lived faith and practical spirituality.