Allan Appel Photo
Imam Hasan (at left) at 2010 renaming of the masjid.
Imam Dr. Abdul-Majid Karim Hasan, a New Haven Muslim leader and interfaith peacemaker for more than a half century, died Monday at the age of 83 after a long illness.
A community service in his memory will take place at the Colonial Funeral Home at 86 Circular Ave. in Hamden, followed by a repast at the masjid that bears his name, the Abdul Majid Karim Hasan Islamic Center just over the New Haven-Hamden line at 870 Dixwell Ave.
Imam Hasan’s personal journey reflected that of many American Muslims.
A former jazz musician, he helped found a Dixwell Avenue temple of the National of Islam on Dixwell Avenue in New Haven in 1961. He became the imam there in 1968.
In 1975 he made “the transition” to a more traditionally Islamic-centered practice, following the lead of Warith Deen Muhammad, who broke with his father (the late Elijah Muhammad, the Nation of Islam’s leader) to form a new branch, the World Community of Islam. They followed a path forged by Malcolm X.
For decades Imam Hasan led a vibrant congregation, centered on New Haven’s Carmel Street, then, beginning in 1997, at its current location at 870 Dixwell. It was originally called the Muhammad Islamic Center, then renamed for Imam Hasan in 2010.
He mentored many local people who pursued more religious paths in their lives. He served as a prison chaplain in the state. He also collaborated often with leaders of Jewish and Christian congregations in events to promote interfaith peace and cooperation. His gentleness, kindness, and deep spiritual strength struck all those who had the fortune to encounter him.
“People like him, you imagine him living forever,” masjid convener Yusuf Shah said Tuesday.
“We are saddened and devastated and loss of our imam, a father to all of us, an imam, a leader. Everything a leader could be, Dr. Hasan was to us. He touched so many lives and gave everybody an opportunity to be the best person he could be, to build their character to the highest level.”