بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
In the Name of Allah, the Benificent, the Merciful

Inna lillaahi wainnaa ilayhiraaji’oon.
To Allah we belong and to Him we will return.
Dr. Maher Hathout (1936-2015)
As one ages one often wonders if one will leave a footprint in this world. The venerable Muslim leader of our time, Dr. Maher Hathout, who passed away on January 3, 2014, has indeed left mote than just a footprint. His enduring legacy will be his passion to enhance understanding of Islam and his willingness to work with people of all creeds and faiths. Very few get the opportunity in life to leave such an imprint upon society. Truly, a person determined to serve his faith, empowers himself with a sense of true giving and emerges with a legacy of selfless service. Uniquely, Dr. Hathout had such a quality as a leader, and his desire to serve ran deep in every grain of his personality.
A beacon of inspiration and knowledge to us all here in Southern California and beyond, he dedicated his life to many philanthropic, religious and educational projects, serving the community both as an exemplary leader and as a scholar. As one of the founders of the Islamic Center of Southern California, Dr. Hathout was instrumental in launching a number of pioneering projects and organizations which continue to serve the Muslim Community in North America.
As a public servant he went beyond cast and creed to serve society; as a communicator par excellence he bridged generations; as a civic leader he stood tall for the right causes and as an Islamic scholar he endeavored towards unity amongst Muslims. His innovative approach, affable demeanor, pleasant sense of humor and relaxed oratory endeared him to the young and old. Sadly it will be difficult, if not impossible, to fill the huge void he has left behind.
“I am deeply saddened at the loss of my dear brother and friend. As long as I can remember, I never felt that Dr. Hathout ever distinguished between Sunnis and Shias in his lectures, writings, or interactions. In fact, since the 1980’s, both Dr. Maher and his brother Dr. Hassan Hathout, forged a close brotherly relationship with my father Ayatollah Sayed Mortadha al-Qazwini. They actively pursued a relationship with the various Muslim communities based on genuine respect and cooperation. We pray that the Muslim community continues the great legacy of tolerance and unity that Dr. Hathout pioneered,” said Imam Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini, President of the SMC.
The Shia Muslim Council of Southern California extends its heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family and friends of the late Dr. Hathout, as well as the Islamic Center of Southern California and the Muslim Public Affairs Council. We pray to the Most Merciful Lord to bestow His boundless mercy on the soul of the late Dr. Hathout, and to instill patience upon his family and friends for their loss.
The Shia Muslim Council of Southern California is an umbrella organization for Shia Islamic centers in the Southern California area. SMC was established on September 17, 2014, and is composed of 15 Islamic centers. The following individuals are the elected SMC Board of Directors:
President – Imam Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini
Vice-President: Dr. Hasnain Walji
Councillor: Dr. Ridha al-Hajjar
Secretary: Hajj Khalil Dewji
Treasurer: Hajj Mehdi Hirji
Councillor: Sister Fatma Saleh
Councillor: Sayed Asghar Rizvi