Dr. Maher Hathout (1936-2015)

 IQRA’ International Educational Foundation mourns the loss of one of the pioneer organizers of American’s Muslim community, Dr. Maher Hathout, who succumbed to liver cancer on January 2, 2015 at the age of 79.

Born in Egypt in 1936, Dr. Hathout moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s. He began volunteering at the Islamic Center of Southern California, became its chairman and spokesperson. He went on to work with the center’s founders on several initiatives, including the Islamic Information Service, “The Minaret” magazine and the New Horizon full-time Islamic school system. He also co-founded the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), the Religious Coalition Against War in the Middle East and Claremont Lincoln University. He was a charter member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, the western partner of the Council on Foreign Relations and served as Chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California.

Dr. Hathout was the first Muslim invited to give the invocation at the Democratic National Convention in 2000. He received several awards over the course of his life, including the George Regas Courageous Peacemaker Award, the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California’s Lifetime Service Award, the South Coast Interfaith Council Award and the Los Angeles County John Allen Buggs Award for excellence in human relations.

Dr. Hathout was a heavily involved in interfaith activities and he worked with many organizations and individuals to promote causes for peace and justice and he served on the board of directors of the Interfaith Alliance.

Dr. Maher Hathout is survived by his wife, Dr. Ragaa Hathout, two sons and several grandchildren.