Dr. Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini

Founder and Director of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County

Dr. Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini is the Founding Imam of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County and Founding President of the Shia Muslim Council of Southern California. He is a graduate of the Islamic seminary of Qum, holds a PhD in Islamic Studies from UK and is the author of a number of books.
Shortly after his arrival in California in 1994, Dr. Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini became the founder and imam of the Islamic Cultural Center of San Diego, California. This center was the first Shia mosque established in San Diego County for religious and social events. His success in San Diego paved the way for his next mission—a mosque in Orange County, California.
In September 1996, he founded the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County (IECOC). Drawing on his experience in Islamic studies, he has maturated the center for educational, religious and social events. As the founder and imam of IECOC, he serves as a mentor for the Muslim community.
Dr. al-Qazwini’s associations are also founding member of the council of Shia Muslim Scholars of North America, Co-chair of the West Coast Dialogue of Muslims and Catholics, a senior advisor for the United Muslim American Association and the founder of Ahlulbayt Islamic Seminary of California. Dr. al-Qazwini spends much of his time lecturing across the United States and the world, and participating in interfaith and intrafaith dialogues and various panels at churches and universities.