Islamic group taps woman for chief

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

The first female president of the largest Muslim group in North America says that she's proud of her community for electing her.

Ingrid Mattson, a Canadian convert to Islam and an Islamic law scholar at Hartford Seminary in Connecticut, was chosen to lead the Islamic Society of North America just ahead of its annual convention, which starts Friday in Rosemont, Ill.

"This is a community that can choose to be whatever it wishes to be, unlike many other Muslims throughout the world who don't live in democratic societies," Mrs. Mattson said yesterday in a phone interview from Chicago. "I think it shows what Muslims can do and would like to do."

Formed in 1963, the Islamic Society is an umbrella group that represents Muslim associations for youth, college students, engineers and others, and also provides support to Muslim chaplains and North American mosques. Its annual meeting regularly draws more than 30,000 people.

The president serves a two-year term, leading the society's committees and executive boards that set policy through consultation with its members. Mrs. Mattson's election was announced late Friday. The organization, based in Plainfield, Ind., has received a few e-mails objecting to her election since then, "but it's a very small minority," she said.

"It was our membership who elected me," she said. "I wasn't foisted upon their community. Really, this is their choice."

American Muslims hold varied cultural views on the proper role for women in the religion, and there is no tradition of female imams, or clerics, at mosques. The Islamic Society president is only rarely called upon to lead public prayers, and Mrs. Mattson will not do so, said Sayyid Syeed, who directs national interfaith and community relations for the group.

"That does not in any way limit her role as president," Mr. Syeed said.

Mrs. Mattson, who wears a hijab in public that hides her hair and neck, said she does not object to the custom and will only lead public ritual worship for women.

Omid Safi, professor of Islamic studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said Mrs. Mattson's election was significant for another reason. He noted that North American Muslim organizations are generally led by members of the ethnic-immigrant groups that founded them. Choosing a North American convert and Islamic scholar shows a new openness, Mr. Safi said.

"Let's hope that it marks an important shift," he said.