Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:156)

With complete submission to the decree of Allah (SWT), we honor the blessed life, devoted service, and enduring legacy of Imam Irvin Shakir, who returned to his Lord on Monday, July 13, 2026, at the age of 88.

Born Irvin Williams on May 29, 1938, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Irvin Williams and LulaBell Brown-Williams, Imam Shakir spent his entire life rooted in the city where Allah would later use him as an instrument in establishing and strengthening Islam for generations to come.

At approximately 20 years of age, he accepted Islam, beginning a lifelong journey of worship, learning, and service to Allah. As his faith deepened, he adopted the surname Shakir in 1972, reflecting his devotion to Allah and the path he had chosen to follow. By his early thirties, he answered the call to leadership and became an Imam, faithfully serving for decades as a teacher, mentor, counselor, and devoted servant to the Muslim community.

Imam Shakir was among the pioneering generation of Muslims in Winston-Salem and throughout North Carolina. Through the Mercy of Allah, he was instrumental in establishing and strengthening the Muslim community, teaching the Qur'an and Sunnah, mentoring believers, counseling families, and calling others toward righteousness. In January 1972, he became the Founding Director and Teacher of the University of Islam in Winston-Salem, which later became Sister Clara Muhammad Elementary and Secondary School. Under his steadfast leadership, the school faithfully served the community for seventeen years, providing an accelerated Islamic education that nurtured generations of students in both faith and academic excellence. His unwavering commitment to Islam helped lay a foundation upon which future generations continue to worship, learn, and grow.

Allah blessed Imam Shakir with the opportunity to witness the fruits of a lifetime of service. His dedication was recognized through numerous honors, including being acknowledged as a Pioneer and Forerunner for Establishing Islam in Our Community; recognition for more than fifty years of dedicated service to Islam in North Carolina; multiple Certificates of Appreciation for his outstanding service and commitment; and, in 2023, being named Imam Emeritus of Masjid Al-Muminun in recognition of his faithful leadership, mentorship, and lifelong service to the Ummah. His vision and commitment to Islamic education were further recognized through a Resolution of Respect honoring his leadership as the Founding Director and Teacher of the University of Islam, later Sister Clara Muhammad Elementary and Secondary School, and his enduring contribution to Islamic education in Winston-Salem.

Imam Shakir's life reflected steadfast faith, humility, and sincere service to Allah. He dedicated himself to teaching Islam, mentoring others, and serving his community with wisdom, integrity, and compassion. His lifelong commitment to the Deen and to the Ummah leaves a legacy that will continue to benefit generations to come, In shaa Allah.

Imam Shakir leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Mable Swiyyah Shakir; his loving children, Jamal Williams (Gee), Darryl Williams, Glenda (Candy) Williams-Travis (Rodney), Bryan Shakir (Tarsha), and Camille Shakir; a loving sister Marion Williams-Shepperd (Allen); a host of cherished grandchildren and great-grandchildren; extended family; lifelong friends; students; brothers and sisters in Islam; and countless community members whose lives were enriched by his knowledge, leadership, and example.

He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Irvin David Williams, affectionately known as "Little Bud."

The legacy of Imam Irvin Shakir lives on through the Masjid he helped establish, the students he taught, the families he counseled, and the educational foundation he built. His life's work continues to bear fruit through the generations of students, educators, families, and believers who were shaped by his leadership and unwavering commitment to Allah. Through his leadership, teaching, service, and steady faith, generations have come to know Islam more deeply because Allah blessed them to know him.

Graveside services will be held at 1:00 pm Thursday July 16, 2026 at Piedmont Memorial Gardens.