By Al Mamun
NEW JERSEY, October 18, 2026 — Four decades of religious leadership, spiritual guidance and community service were celebrated in an emotional tribute to Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli, who marked the 40th anniversary of his service at the Islamic Society of Central Jersey (ISCJ).
The milestone was more than a celebration of longevity. It was a tribute to a relationship between an imam and a community that has grown across generations, touching family milestones, nurturing young minds, offering counsel during difficult times and helping Muslims find a sense of belonging through faith.
At the ISCJ annual fundraiser held Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Pines Manor in New Jersey, video tributes brought together voices from across the community. Religious scholars, fellow imams, families, longtime congregants and young students shared messages of gratitude, affection and prayers for the man many described as a teacher, mentor, father figure and pillar of Central Jersey’s Muslim community.
The tributes, broadcast by ISCJ-TV, offered a glimpse into the many dimensions of Imam Chebli’s influence. Some remembered his religious knowledge and wisdom; others recalled his humor during weekend lessons, his warm greetings at the mosque, or his presence at weddings, births, funerals and Ramadan gatherings. For many, the occasion was an opportunity to express gratitude for a familiar and reassuring presence that has accompanied them through different stages of life.
More than an imam: A presence across generations
Perhaps the most compelling testimony to Imam Chebli’s service came from those who grew up in the ISCJ community.
One contributor recalled being a child and seeing the imam as a steady presence, a guiding light and a helping hand. The speaker remembered how Chebli encouraged people to become better versions of themselves and prayed that the community would continue benefiting from his leadership for years to come.
Young students also appeared in the tribute montage, offering simple but heartfelt words of thanks. Some recognized him as their teacher and mentor, while others expressed appreciation for the lessons they received through his words and personal example.
Their messages illustrated a central theme of the anniversary: religious leadership is measured not only by sermons delivered or years served, but also by the values, memories and relationships that remain with people long after a lesson ends.
For Imam Chebli, the community’s youngest members represent an important part of that continuing legacy. Their participation demonstrated how a relationship established through religious education can develop into a lasting connection with faith, the mosque and the wider Muslim community.
Guidance through life’s most important moments
The tributes also revealed the deeply personal nature of Imam Chebli’s service.
A family recalled his presence at births, weddings, deaths and Ramadan observances, describing his example as a demonstration of what it means to live one’s faith. Another couple remembered his participation in the aqiqah ceremonies of their children, a cherished Islamic tradition associated with welcoming a newborn.
One congregant recalled that Imam Chebli had performed his marriage and accompanied him in the spiritual journey of Hajj. Such memories highlighted the many ways an imam becomes part of a family’s history, sharing moments of joy, solemnity, reflection and prayer.
For many congregants, these experiences transform a religious leader from someone who serves at a mosque into someone who becomes woven into the fabric of everyday life.
The tributes suggested that Imam Chebli’s influence has extended well beyond formal religious duties. It has included helping families mark significant occasions, offering spiritual reassurance, and remaining accessible when community members need guidance or support.
A teacher known for wisdom—and a sense of humor
Among the memories shared during the anniversary tribute was a recollection of Imam Chebli’s weekend lessons, which were often followed by open question-and-answer sessions.
One contributor described these gatherings as a setting in which the imam particularly excelled. Questions ranged from straightforward to challenging, but his responses were remembered for combining knowledge with humor. Even difficult questions could become opportunities for learning, delivered in a way that made people smile.
That recollection offered a glimpse of a teaching style that helped make religious learning approachable. The ability to explain complex matters, welcome questions and put people at ease can be as important as knowledge itself in building a strong and engaged religious community.
Other contributors praised his patience, wisdom, humility and down-to-earth manner. One described the honor of serving alongside him and said there was still something new to learn whenever they met. Another emphasized the importance of his example in bringing Islam into the daily lives of community members.
The recurring message was that Imam Chebli’s impact has come not only from what he teaches, but also from how he treats people.
The work behind the pulpit
The anniversary tributes also recalled aspects of community-building that are less visible than leading prayers or delivering sermons.
One contributor reflected on the work Imam Chebli undertook even before the speaker was born, recalling efforts to secure zoning permits for mosques and visits to people’s homes to provide counseling.
Those memories pointed to the practical responsibilities that accompany religious leadership in a growing community. Establishing and maintaining places of worship requires patience, coordination and perseverance, while caring for congregants often means making time for concerns that never reach a public platform.
The tributes portrayed a leader whose responsibilities extended into both the institutional and personal life of the community.
Another contributor described Imam Chebli’s long tenure as evidence of dedication, sincerity and service. Others referred to him as a pillar of the Islamic Society of Central Jersey and a source of stability and inspiration.
Some went further, calling him an iconic imam in North America and emphasizing his influence beyond the mosque itself. Such descriptions reflected the deep esteem in which many contributors hold him, rather than independently established rankings of religious leaders.
A legacy that reaches beyond New Jersey
The anniversary montage also included a recollection of Imam Chebli’s earlier service in New Orleans, before his years in New Jersey. The speaker emphasized that the affection and benefits of his earlier work had endured even after he moved away.
That reflection added another dimension to the celebration: the relationships formed through religious service can survive changes in geography and the passage of time.
A person’s influence is not necessarily confined to the institution where that person currently serves. Former congregants, colleagues and families may continue to remember the guidance they received and carry those lessons into their own communities.
The tributes also included prayers from fellow religious figures for Imam Chebli’s health, continued service and acceptance before Allah. One contributor affectionately called him the “Imams’ Imam,” while another praised his ability to make visitors feel welcomed and cared for.
These expressions of respect underscored the bonds of brotherhood and shared responsibility that connect religious leaders across communities.
“You are not alone”: A family’s tribute
One of the most moving moments in the broadcast came from a member of Imam Chebli’s family, who addressed him not simply as a religious leader but as a father.
The speaker acknowledged the significance of the 40 years Imam Chebli had given to ISCJ, while looking toward the future and emphasizing that much work remained to be done.
The message also recognized the founders, committees, board members, congregants and others whose efforts helped establish and sustain the institution. The family expressed love and pride in Imam Chebli, making clear that his years of service were part of a larger story involving many people.
The tribute carried a particularly personal meaning. Behind the public responsibilities of an imam is a family that shares the demands, sacrifices and emotional commitments of a life devoted to service.
By looking ahead rather than treating the anniversary as a conclusion, the family offered a reminder that the occasion celebrated both a remarkable chapter in the past and the possibilities that remain in the years ahead.
An institution shaped by shared commitment
Although the anniversary centered on Imam Chebli, the video tributes repeatedly acknowledged the contributions of the broader ISCJ community.
Speakers offered prayers for the institution’s founders, leadership, board, committees, members and volunteers. Their messages recognized that a thriving religious institution depends on the collective efforts of people who give their time, knowledge, resources and care.
This shared recognition was significant. While a long-serving imam may become closely identified with a mosque, the institution’s continuing strength rests on the participation of generations of congregants and community leaders.
The anniversary therefore became an opportunity to recognize not only Imam Chebli’s service but also the community that has supported, worked alongside and grown with him.
Students, families, scholars and longtime members all contributed to the tribute. Their participation illustrated the breadth of relationships surrounding the imam and the many different ways people experience a religious community.
For some, ISCJ is a place of prayer. For others, it is a school, a gathering place, a source of guidance or a community that has accompanied their families through life’s defining moments.
The tributes brought those experiences together in a single celebration of faith and gratitude.
Forty years—and a continuing responsibility
The anniversary’s most enduring message may have been the distinction between celebrating past accomplishments and preparing for future service.
Several contributors prayed that Allah would grant Imam Chebli many more years of health and allow the community to continue benefiting from his leadership. Others emphasized humility, sincerity and the hope that good deeds would be accepted by Allah.
These prayers reflected an understanding central to Islamic service: recognition is meaningful, but sincerity and the lasting benefit of one’s actions matter more.
The occasion also highlighted the importance of continuity. The children who thanked their teacher today may become the parents, educators and community leaders who guide future generations. The families who remembered his presence during their most important milestones may, in turn, help preserve the same spirit of care for others.
In that sense, Imam Chebli’s legacy is not limited to the number of years he has served. It also lies in the people he has taught, the relationships he has nurtured and the example he has offered to those who will carry the community forward.
As ISCJ celebrates four decades of his service, the tributes provide a portrait of an imam remembered for religious guidance, personal warmth, wisdom, humor and a sustained commitment to community life.
The anniversary was a moment to look back with gratitude—but also to look ahead with hope.
For Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli and the community he has served, the celebration of 40 years was not simply about the passage of time. It was about the enduring bonds between faith and service, a teacher and his students, a family and its community, and an institution and the generations who call it home.
As the family message reminded the audience, there is still more to do, and the journey continues.