Shaykh Safraz Bacchus

Imam Safraz Bacchus is a distinguished faith leader who has served the New York City community for over thirteen years. He currently holds the position of Imam and Scholar-in-Residence at Masjid al-Abidin in Queens, New York. His dedicated service, combined with extensive chaplaincy work alongside New York City’s diverse faith leaders, healthcare institutions, law enforcement agencies, and elected officials, has earned him widespread recognition and respect.

Imam Bacchus serves as a trusted community partner with the New York City Police Department, particularly the 106th Precinct, and is a graduate of the Citizen Police Academy Program. He is also an active member of the Clergy Advisory Council for Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, contributing faith-based insight to community safety and justice initiatives.

Born in Guyana, Imam Bacchus developed an early passion for Islamic law and theology. In 1993, he was awarded a full scholarship by the Government of Egypt, in collaboration with the Government of Guyana, to study Islamic Jurisprudence, Arabic, and Theology at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. After completing his studies in 2004, he returned to Guyana and joined the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) as a religious educator, where he played a key role in poverty alleviation efforts and the coordination of orphan care programs.

Before migrating to the United States in 2013, Imam Bacchus became a well-known public figure in Guyana, hosting a popular weekly television program that addressed spiritual, social, and national issues.

In 2015, he earned a Master’s Degree in Islamic Studies from the American Open University in the United States. His thesis, “Towards a Faith-Based Understanding of Environmental Ethics,” examined the intersection of faith, stewardship, and environmental responsibility. He later completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) through Northwell Health and currently serves as a chaplain at two major healthcare facilities in Queens.

In response to the ongoing mental health crisis, Imam Bacchus provides spiritual and emotional support to individuals facing mental health challenges across New York City. Working closely with patients, families, and healthcare professionals, he promotes holistic healing that integrates faith, compassion, and emotional well-being.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Imam Bacchus offered critical spiritual and emotional support to grieving families while coordinating food and meal distributions for elderly and vulnerable community members.

His humanitarian efforts extend beyond the United States. Imam Bacchus continues to coordinate relief initiatives for underserved communities in Senegal, Gambia, and other West African nations, as well as in his native Guyana. These initiatives include school supply distributions, food assistance, and essential humanitarian aid.

In recognition of his lifelong service, Imam Bacchus received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of the President of the United States in 2002. His work addressing gun violence through interfaith collaboration has also earned special recognition from the City of New York and the NYPD’s 106th Precinct. In 2023, the New York State Assembly passed Resolution 785, awarding him the Lincoln-King Visionary Award for his unwavering commitment to service and community building.

In February 2024, Imam Bacchus was honoured with the opportunity to deliver the invocation at the opening session of the New York State Assembly, as well as at the inauguration of Governor Kathy Hochul, the 57th Governor of New York.

In addition to his religious and civic leadership, Imam Safraz Bacchus is a Certified Life Coach. In 2026, he launched a podcast dedicated to life coaching, inner healing, social cohesion, peace advocacy, and confronting hate crimes, blending spiritual wisdom with contemporary coaching tools to empower individuals and strengthen communities.

Widely respected for his empathetic and compassionate leadership, Imam Safraz Bacchus remains a passionate advocate for peace, interfaith dialogue, mental wellness, and religious harmony.