In a modest masjid tucked into Grays Avenue in Southwest Philadelphia, Imam Mohamed Jomandy greets familiar faces with quiet warmth. His voice carries the cadence of deep thought and lived experience shaped in Liberia, refined in Saudi Arabia, and practiced for over two decades in the heart of an evolving immigrant neighborhood.
Born and raised in Liberia , Imam Jomandy had his early education in Kakata, Margibi county. He then travelled to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where he obtained substantial knowledge in Islamic and Administrative studies. Hon. Jomandy came to the United States not with a plan to lead, but with a need to rebuild. “There was civil unrest in my country,” he recalls. “I moved my family here. The community needed to pull me into this work.”
Today, he leads Masjid Ahl Sunnah, serving as a faith leader, counselor, and bridge-builder in a community often segmented by language, nationality, and generational divides. His imamship is not self-appointed. “It is a responsibility that comes to you,” he says.
From Global Experience to Local Impact
Hon. Jomandy’s earlier years included roles in government ministries and international agencies. That exposure, he says, informed his adaptive leadership style. “You must work from people’s strengths, not their weaknesses,” he says. “Our Islamic tradition teaches that actions are judged by intention. If the intent is good, the result will follow.”
This philosophy guides the masjid’s operations: Weekend schools, youth programs, community dialogues, and partnerships with secular and interfaith organizations. He and his team address everything from gun violence prevention to spiritual guidance, housing insecurity, and trade education.
Unity Across Diversity
Southwest Philadelphia’s Muslim population includes African immigrants, African Americans, and Muslims from Arab and South Asian backgrounds. Hon. Jomandy sees this diversity as a strength, but with challenges.
“People are used to working within their ethnic groups,” he explains. “Language can be a barrier. But our mosque was founded to bring people from all backgrounds together. We worship, learn, and solve problems as one body.”
He acknowledges the rise of smaller, ethnically homogenous mosques in the area. While not opposed to growth, he is clear that unity is critical, especially for preparing the next generation. “We’re going to phase out,” he says, adding: “The question is: who comes after us?”
A Voice in Civic Policy
Beyond the pulpit, Hon. Jomandy serves on Philadelphia’s newly formed Islamic Engagement Commission under Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. His focus is all about helping underserved Muslim communities navigate access to city services.
“Too often, bureaucracy makes it hard for our people to benefit from what they deserve,” he observes. “This commission is a bridge.”
His civic engagement is aligned with his faith. For him, participating in public policy is an act of spiritual stewardship. “We must equip our youth to be part of the system to contribute, to lead, to advocate,” he urges.
Mentorship as a Mandate
Imam Jomandy emphasizes mentorship as essential to sustainable leadership. His words reflect a steady resolve: “What you learn, you teach. What you don’t know, you learn.”
He often offers the philosophy of a parable. “There are four types of people: The one who knows and knows he knows he is a leader, follow him. The one who knows but doesn’t know he knows — wake him up. The one who doesn’t know and knows he doesn’t teach him. But the one who doesn’t know and doesn’t know that he doesn’t stay away from him.”
It is not a warning of arrogance, but a framework for identifying who to empower.
A Call to Young Leaders
Hon. Jomandy’s closing message to the wise is a direct appeal.
“To our young people, if you have leadership potential, step forward,” he advises. “You will face criticism, but use it as motivation. The community needs your ideas, your innovation, your voice.”
His tone remains measured but urgent. As someone who has served through conflict, migration, ministry, and civic duty, his encouragement is not theoretical. It is lived.
In Southwest Philadelphia, Imam Mohamed Jomandy stands out as an engaged cleric, and as a philosophic and practical guide, a listener, and a cultivator of futures yet to unfold.
This article is made possible with the support from the following organizations:
Dr. Eric John Nzeribe is the Publisher of FunTimes Magazine and has a demonstrated history of working in the publishing industry since 1992. His interests include using data to understand and solve social issues, narrative stories, digital marketing, community engagement, and online/print journalism features. Dr. Nzeribe is a social media and communication professional with certificates in Digital Media for Social Impact from the University of Pennsylvania, Digital Strategies for Business: Leading the Next-Generation Enterprise from Columbia University, and a Master of Science (MS) in Publication Management from Drexel University and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Temple University.
