WMIC Misson Statement
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful;
Guided by the Quran and the Sunnah, the mission of [Islamic Center of Woodland] is to nurture a community grounded in the love of Allah and His Final Messenger, Sayyiduna Muhammad (ﷺ), and to be a beacon of peace, knowledge, and spiritual unity.
We strive to:
Cultivate Love for Allah and His Messenger: Our foundation is the love that defines a true believer. We seek the pleasure of Allah through unwavering devotion and express our love for the Prophet (ﷺ) by following his sublime example in every aspect of life.
قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ.
"Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you...'" (Surah Al Imran, 3:31).
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى أَكُونَ أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ وَالِدِهِ وَوَلَدِهِ وَالنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ. "
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "None of you will have faith until I am dearer to him than his father, his children, and all of mankind." (Sahih al-Bukhari).
We celebrate the diversity within the Ummah and the wider American society, believing that our differences are a sign of Allah's majesty. We stand for unity, tolerance, and mutual respect, fostering an inclusive environment where all feel welcome.
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا.
"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another." (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13)
We are committed to preserving and transmitting the rich, scholarly tradition of Ahl us-Sunnah, making authentic Islamic knowledge accessible to all. We aim to educate minds and purify hearts, nurturing a generation that is confident in its faith and contributes to its society. There is a saying of our Beloved Prophet Sayyiduna Muhammad (peace be upon him):
طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِيضَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ.
"Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim." (Sunan Ibn Majah).
We are dedicated to embodying the compassionate and merciful message of Islam. Through our conduct and outreach (Dawah), we strive to be a source of peace, mercy, and benefit to all of creation, as taught by our Noble Prophet (ﷺ).
الْْمُسْلِمُ مَنْ سَلِمَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ.
"The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe." (Sahih al-Bukhari).
Inspired by the teachings of the Awliya Allah and the scholars of Ahl us-Sunnah, we work to build a community that is spiritually connected, socially responsible, and a trusted partner in fostering harmony and understanding.
About Our Imam
Introducing Imam Riaz Ahmed Qadri – A Lifelong Scholar and Spiritual Leader
Born in Pakistan, Imam Riaz Ahmed Qadri embarked on his journey of Islamic knowledge at a young age, beginning his memorization of the Holy Qur’an at just 12 years old. His academic pursuit of sacred and secular knowledge led him to excel in both science and humanities during his early education in Lahore—the renowned "City of Colleges."
Driven by a deep passion for Islamic scholarship, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Dars-e-Nizami (Islamic & Shariah Sciences) from a prestigious public university in Islamabad, followed by a Master’s in Islamic Studies, specializing in Uloom ul Quran & Tafseer from Allama Iqbal University, Pakistan. Through dedication and divine grace, he graduated as a distinguished scholar of Islamic Sciences.
Seeking to broaden his expertise, Imam Qadri furthered his studies at the University of Oxford, UK, in Islamic Theology and completed a specialized course in Islamic Chaplaincy at Markfield Institute of Higher Education (MIHE), Leicester. Currently, he is in the final stages of his PhD in Islamic Studies, insha’Allah, marking yet another milestone in his lifelong commitment to knowledge.
With decades of experience, Imam Qadri has served Muslim communities across the globe—from Pakistan to the UK, Europe, and the USA—leading prayers, delivering impactful Friday sermons, and fostering interfaith harmony through meaningful dialogues.
His professional journey reflects a blend of academia and spiritual leadership. He served for seven years at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad, where he also delivered enlightening sermons on faith and spirituality. In the UK, he made history as the first Muslim Chaplain & Faith Advisor at Staffordshire University while also serving at City Central Mosque, Stoke-on-Trent. His leadership extended to roles such as:
Mosque Liaison Director at Hijaz College Islamic University, UK
Minister of Religion at Oxford Central Mosque, Idara Faizan ul Quran, and Al-Madina Masjid, Walsall
Since July 2023, Imam Riaz Ahmed Qadri has been serving as the Head Imam of Woodland Mosque & Islamic Center, California, USA, where he continues to inspire, educate, and guide the community with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering faith.
Imam Hafiz Riaz Ahmad
