A native of Thiès, Senegal, Imam Mouhammad Ndiaye has established himself as an iconic figure of faith, education, and community service in the African diaspora in the United States. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, he now embodies the harmonious union of scholarship, spirituality, and civic engagement, earning him recognition at the 2025 African Icons Merit Awards, a prestigious award that celebrates Africans who have made a significant impact on their time.

A visionary project serving young people

Founder and CEO of the Al-Haqq Foundation, Imam Mouhammad Ndiaye built more than just an educational center: he created a space where modern education interacts with faith and cultural heritage. The institution welcomes children from kindergarten to high school, offering hundreds of students each year a learning environment that combines academic excellence, spiritual values, and pride in their identity.

"Education is the seed, faith is the soil in which it flourishes," he likes to remind us. This conviction guides all of his work. Far from simply transmitting knowledge, for him it is about forming awakened minds and hearts anchored not only in the Islamic faith but also in the universal values of peace, respect and solidarity.

A spiritual guide and mentor

Along with his role as an educator, Imam Ndiaye serves as the imam of the Alhaqq Mosque in Indianapolis, where he continues to provide spiritual guidance to hundreds of Muslim and non-Muslim families. Under his leadership, hundreds of individuals, most of them Americans, have converted to Islam.

His leadership extends beyond the walls of mosques: he is deeply involved in supporting young people, helping them reconcile academic aspirations and spiritual quests, while cultivating in them a strong sense of identity and belonging.

A builder of bridges between cultures

Imam Ndiaye 's career vividly illustrates the ability of the Senegalese and African diaspora to enrich host societies while remaining firmly rooted in its values. Through the Al-Haqq Foundation and its grassroots work, he helps build bridges between communities, fostering respectful and fruitful dialogue between cultures and generations.

As he himself points out: “Strong communities are built when we teach both the mind and the heart.”

A living legacy

Imam Mouhammad Ndiaye's work is not limited to individual achievement; it is part of a collective legacy. By combining faith, knowledge, and cultural identity, he forges the path of a spiritual and educational model that inspires far beyond the borders of Indiana and the United States. His impact is a powerful reminder that Africa, wherever it may be, continues to shine through the strength of its values and the quality of its sons and daughters.

By receiving the African Icons Merit Award 2025 , Imam Ndiaye demonstrates that authentic leadership is based above all on service, self-giving, and transmission. His journey honors Senegal, Africa, and the entire global Muslim community.