Mustafa Ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥīm al-Mutazzim Brent

For nearly three decades, Mustafa Ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥīm al-Mutazzim Brent has lived at the crossroads of public service, sacred knowledge, and community leadership. His journey began in the thriving intellectual and cultural atmosphere of Howard University, where he cultivated his early foundations in communication, leadership, and civic engagement. It was during these formative years that his passion for Islamic learning, public policy, and social responsibility truly took root.

Guided by a longing for knowledge, Mustafa traveled to Madīnah after receiving a scholarship to study at the prestigious Islamic University of Madinah, beginning his studies in the Arabic Language Institute (Maʿhad al-Lughah). His studies immersed him in Arabic grammar and morphology, classical and modern Arabic literature, Balāghah (eloquence), and Quranic and Prophetic texts as living language.

Returning home, Mustafa’s life unfolded across the arenas of public safety, elected office, business, and the masjid. A 21-year veteran and Fire Captain in Newark, he led with courage under pressure, earning deep trust. Elected twice as Councilman of East Orange, he became known as a stabilizing voice, a strategist, and a builder of consensus in times of complexity.

Today, his focus turns with passion toward Masjid Ul-Haqq. With the insight of a statesman and the heart of a servant, he believes in an Islamic model of governance rooted in mercy, accountability, and dignity. For him, a masjid is not only a place of prayer, but the beating heart of a community—offering education for youth, dignity for elders, and resources for those in need.

His mission is clear: to organize, uplift, and build. Every role he has held—Imam, captain, councilman, educator, husband, and father—threads together into one legacy: “Service is worship, Leadership is responsibility, Community is Amanah.”

And through it all runs a quiet, constant intention: to make every effort, every sacrifice, every brick laid, a step toward Jannah—bi idhnillah; Insha-Allah.