Imam Fode Drame

A Shepherd of Souls

Imam Fode embodies his family’s pacifist and non-political eight century long tradition of religious teaching and scholarship. Deeply rooted in classical Islamic philology and exegesis, he represents a tradition of Islamic spirituality that teaches how to cultivate one’s relationship with God and acquire excellence in worship (Ihsan).

Imam Fode’s desire for learning led him to various Jakhanke education centres (Majlis) in Senegal and Gambia to pursue further studies in Islamic eruditions. He remained in Senegal as a teacher until departing to Canada. Upon moving to Canada, he pursued further education in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Quebec, Montreal, while being the resident Imam of the West Island Islamic center. As a multilingual speaker, Imam Fode is fluent in several African and European tongues, along with Hebrew and Arabic. He reads broadly, and writes prolifically on Islamic spirituality.

In October 2005 Imam Fode Drame founded Zawiyah Foundation in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in an effort to preserve and transmit traditional Islamic education of the Jakhanke and to promote the universal values of mercy, peace and love. Within 3 years of operation, Zawiyah Foundation has gained charitable non-profit status and become known for its inclusiveness and multi-ethnic congregation that is open to ecumenical interfaith sharings.

Through Imam Fode’s leadership in the community as Imam, teacher, scholar, and marriage, career, youth, and rehabilitation counsellor, Zawiyah Foundation remains committed to creating and offering spaces for learning, recollection and rest. Overall, Imam Fode serves as the compass of this organization and provides guidance on all projects functioning within Zawiyah Foundation.

A selection of Imam Fode’s writings, termed “Expansions”, along with audio and video lessons, are currently available on the Foundation’s website.