M.A. Qazi

Prof. Dr. Mahmood Ahmad Qazi or M. A. Qazi is a Pakistani-American chemical engineer, research scientist, and Islamic scholar. He is also a noted Islamic scholar and he has been engaged in providing Islamic services to various educational institutions. Qazi is well known in theUnited States for his work on Plasma Arc Technology. Qazi is the founding member and Vice President of Kazi Publications. Qazi has published numerous Islamic papers, and became a leading distributors of the Holy Qur'an and Islamic literature in North America. He has written more than 15 books heavily focused on the issues on Islam.

Early Life and Education

Qazi was born in October 1, 1938 in Lahore, British India. He received his elementary and intermediate education from there. In 1954, he attended University of Punjab, majoring in applied chemistry. In 1958, he received his B.Sc with honord in applied chemistry. In 1960, Qazi received his M.Sc following in Chemical Technology from the same institution. The same year, he went to United Kingdom with a scholarship where he attended Imperial College London. At the Imperial College, he majored in Chemical Engineering. In 1962, he received his M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from imperial college. The same year, Qazi joined University of London as a graduate fellow where he pursue his research on chemical engineering and Chemical Technologist. In 1966, he received his Ph.D in chemical Engineering from University of London. He became an associate professor of chemical engineering there. In 1970, he migrated to United States where Qazi started his career as an educator and taught in several schools, colleges, and universities at there. He obtain American citizenship in 1981.

Life and Science Career

Qazi joined various chemical and military-purposed companies in the United States where he served as a chief research scientist and chemical engineer. In 1993, Dr. Qazi joined a 1993, Dr. Qazi joined a Defense Contractor, Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) in Johnstown, PA, as a Principal Technical Staff. Dr. Qazi was appointed head of the National Defense Center for Environmental Excellence (NDCEE) Program, which CTC operates for the DOD, Dr. Qazi managed three Tasks for the treatment and disposal of energetic materials. These involved hydrothermal chemistry (NitRem Process), plasma arc technology, and pink water treatment technology research. As part of the technology transitioning process, these techniques also were evaluated for other types of hazardous waste streams. The first two tasks were completed by the end of 1997 and 1998. The third task was completed by the end of year 2000. Dr. Qazi also provided technical support to other projects in the remediation, recycling and reuse (RRR) thrust areas. He had recently completed a unique SLUDGE drying system for a private firm, Ecotechnology, Inc., of California. A patent is pending.

While at CTC, besides managing the three Tasks mentioned above, Dr. Qazi participated in a project to develop chromium-free conversion coatings, led by the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences. He compiled a state-of-the-art technology report and surveyed vendors of new technologies in order to prepare a list of participants for coating trials. Other supporting, technical activities have related to the recycling of aluminum cans, the recycling of plastics, and the shredding and recycling of scrap tires along with contributing to numerous proposals for the Department Of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

He has designed plants for chemicals, petroleum, petrochemicals, coal conversion processes, solid waste disposal systems (incineration plants), desalination, and water treatment units. He has also developed new processes from laboratory bench-scale to pilot plant scale, including a new process for the manufacture of MgO/HCl from Texas Brines and a new anesthetic for Abbott Laboratories, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world.

His earlier contributions to environmental protection includes study of acid gas removal systems, ammonia waste disposal systems, removal of VOCs from reactors by incineration, and development of a complete medical (including biohazards and radioactive) waste disposal system for Abbott Park Facilities. Dr. Qazi has performed preliminary research work on an innovative idea to shred the used tires using laser technology, and recovering useful products from the used tires.

Dr. Qazi also has experience in procuring equipment and complete process plants, starting with specification, vendor contact, bids evaluation, and writing engineering requisitions leading to purchase orders. Major plants procured included a Clarithromycin Plant for Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, Illinois, and a Petroleum Additive Plant for Keil Chemical Company (Ferro Corporation), Hammond, Indiana.

He also has worked as a chemist with Chicago Etching Corporation, Chicago, Illinois, performing routine tests of electroplating and etching baths, maintaining their pH, and developing new formulations for various processes used in the company.

Islamic Background

Through out this period, Dr. Qazi has also been engaged in providing Islamic services to various institutions. Dr. Qazi volunteered as a Muslim Chaplain (Imam) at Great Lakes Naval Training Center near Chicago, Illinois, Federal Correctional Institution, Loretto, PA, State Correctional Institution (SCI), Cresson, PA, South West Secure Treatment Unit (SWSTU), Torrance, PA, Laurel Highlands SCI and Somerset SCI at Somerset, PA. Currently, Dr. Qazi is providing Islamic services at the Torrance State Hospital, Torrance, PA, Cresson Secure Treatment Unit (CSTU), Cresson, PA, and Cambria County Prison, Ebensburg, PA as a volunteer.

Dr. Qazi is the founding member and Vice President of Kazi Publications, Inc., a Chicago-based, not-for-profit organization and a trust (Waqf fi Sabilillah), in the cause of Almighty God (Allah). Kazi Publications, Inc. is one of the oldest and the largest printers, publishers, and distributors of the Holy Qur’an and Islamic literature in North America. Since founding Kazi Publications in 1974, Dr. Qazi has also written a series of books and booklets, both for children and adults, on various topics of Islam. From 1978 to 1983, Dr. Qazi taught Islamic studies in Sunday schools at the Muslim Community Center (MCC) in Chicago and at the Islamic Cultural Center (ICC) in Northbrook, Illinois.

From 1982 to 1993, Dr. Qazi served as a volunteer Muslim Chaplain for the U.S. Navy at the U.S. Great Lakes Naval Training Center near Chicago, Illinois.

In 1993, Dr. Qazi moved to Johnstown, PA from Chicago, where he lived for 23 years. He recognized the necessity for establishing a mosque in Johnstown, PA and founded the Islamic Center of Johnstown in his basement. The mosque served the Islamic needs of approximately thirty (30) Muslim families in the Greater Johnstown area, Altoona, Bedford, and Somerset and is still in operation. The Greater Johnstown area Muslim community later established two Islamic Centers, the first in Altoona, PA and the second in Windber, PA in the years 2000 and 2005, respectively.

Since moving to Johnstown, Dr. Qazi had been providing Islamic services as a volunteer at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Loretto, the State Correctional Institution (SCI) in Cresson till 2003. Currently, he is a Muslim Chaplain at the Cambria County Prison in Ebensburg, all in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Dr. Qazi is a registered vendor as an Imam with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He worked as an Imam at the Southwest Secure Treatment Unit (SWSTU) in Blairsville, PA under a contract with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, from January 2003 until the center’s closure in June 2006.

Since October 2003, he has been providing Islamic services as an Imam at the Cresson Secure Treatment Unit (CSTU) in Cresson, PA, where, he teaches the fundamentals of Islam, Islamic faith and practice, ethics and morality in Islam, and Islamic jurisprudence to a class of up to fifteen juveniles, both Muslims and non-Muslims.

In March 2005, Dr. Qazi was hired by the Department of Correction (DOC) of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Muslim Chaplain (Imam) for the two State Correctional Institutions, SCI Laurel Highlands, PA and SCI Somerset, both in Somerset County, PA, where he provided Islamic Services to the Muslim inmates till June 2007.

Since September 11, 2001, Dr. Qazi has regularly been invited as a speaker on Islam and has actively participated in lectures and seminars delivered to schools, colleges, universities, mosques, churches and synagogues in and around Johnstown, PA, explaining to the American people the basic fundamental principles of Islam, which guarantee freedom, justice and equality to all, irrespective of their color, creed, gender, national origin, religion or race.

Dr. Qazi has regularly contributed articles on Islam to a number of journals, television and radio media and newspaper in the United States and overseas. Some of Dr. Qazi's famous articles, e.g., Why Blame Islam, Tolerant Islam, and Islam in U.S. Prisons, are being circulated on the Internet.

Dr. Qazi’s mission in life is to promote mutual understanding between the followers of the three (3) great Abrahamic religions (i.e. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) by emphasizing the common basis that they all share - their belief in One God. Dr. Qazi hopes and prays that we can all live in peace and harmony with each other as one nation under Almighty God. May Allah accept his humble efforts in His Way, and bless all those who share a common interest in this Cause, Amen.

Memberships and honors

  • American Chemical Society, Washington, DC (USA)
  • American Institute of Chemical Engineers, New York, NY (USA)
  • Institution of Chemical Engineers, London (UK)
  • Chartered Chemical Engineer (C.Eng.), London (UK)

Scientific Publications

  • M. A. Qazi, Role of Research and Development Cell in the West Regional Laboratories, presented at the All Pakistan Science Conference held in Dacca, East Pakistan (1968)
  • M. A. Qazi, Segregation of particles in granular masses, Arabian Journal of Science and Technology (1978)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Destruction of Hazardous Military Wastes Using Plasma Arc Technology,” presented at the Symposium of Environmental Technologies, Atlanta, GA (1995)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Destruction of Hazardous Military Wastes Using Plasma Arc Technology,” presented at the 189th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, Los Angeles, CA (1996)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Destruction of Hazardous Military Wastes Using Plasma Arc Technology,” presented at the Spectrum ‘96 Conference - Nuclear and Hazardous Waste Management International Topical Meeting, Seattle, WA (1996)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Destruction of Hazardous Military Wastes Using Plasma Arc Technology,” presented at the First International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds, Monterey, CA (1998)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Treatment Technology Research,” presented at the 1995 Defense Manufacturing Conference, at Dallas, TX
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Treatment Technology, Bench Scale Testing,” presented at the American Chemical Society Symposium on Emerging Technologies in Hazardous Waste Management, Birmingham, AL (1996)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Treatment Technology Options,” presented at the 22nd Environmental Symposium & Exhibition of American Defense Preparedness Association, Orlando, FL (1996)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Technologies for Waste Water Treatment,” presented at the Envirotech Biotech ‘96, Philadelphia, PA (1996)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Treatment Technology Evaluations,” presented at the Second Tri-Service Environmental Technology Workshop, MO (1997)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Treatment Technology Evaluations,” presented at the Third Tri-Service Environmental Technology Workshop, San Diego, CA (1998)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Treatment Technology Evaluations,” to be presented at the Defense Manufacturing Conference ‘98, New Orleans, LA (1998)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Treatment Technology Research,” presented at the Army Environmental Quality (EQ) Information Exchange Meeting, Williamsburg, VA (2000)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Treatment Technology Research,” presented at the 5th Joint Services P2/HWM Conference and Exhibition, San Antonio, TX (2000)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Treatment Technology Research,” presented at the 8th International Activated Carbon Conference, Pittsburgh, PA (2000)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Treatment Technology Research,” presented at the Poster Session, Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing Conference, Iowa City, IA (2000)
  • M. A. Qazi and Louis Kanaras, “Pink Water Treatment Technology Research,” presented at the Defense Manufacturing Conference (DMC 2000) at Tampa, FL (2000)

Islamic Experience

  • Founder and Vice President, Kazi Publications, Inc., Chicago, IL, 1974
  • Teacher, Sunday School, Muslim Community Center, Chicago, IL, 1978-80
  • Teacher, Sunday School, Islamic Cultural Center, Northbrook, IL, 1980-83
  • Volunteer, Islamic Service, Great Lakes, NTC, U.S. Navy, 1982-93
  • Founder and President, Islamic Center of Johnstown, Johnstown, PA, 1993
  • Volunteer, Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), Loretto, PA, 1994-2001
  • Volunteer, State Correctional Institution (SCI), Cresson, PA, 1995-2001
  • Volunteer, Cambria County Prison, Ebensburg, PA, 1998-2001
  • Volunteer, Torrance State Hospital, Torrance, PA, 2000-2001
  • Founder Member, Islamic Center of Altoona, Hollidaysburg, PA, 2000-Present
  • Imam, Youth Development Center, Blairsville, PA January, 2003-June 2006
  • Imam, Juvenile Correction Center, Cresson, PA, October 1, 2003-Present
  • Imam, SCI Laurel Highlands, Somerset, PA, March 2005-July 2007
  • Imam, SCI Somerset, Somerset, PA, March 2005-July 2007
  • Imam, Cambria County Prison, Ebensburg, PA, January 2008-Present
  • Imam, Torrance State Hospital, Torrance, PA December 2008-Present

Islamic Publications and Bibliography

  • Glossary of Qurʼan and Ḥadith, Al Saadawi Publications, 1998
  • Book of Muslim Names, Library of Islam, 1995
  • Short Suras for Prayers (with audiovisual aids), Kazi Publications, 1994
  • Color & Learn Islamic Terms, Kazi Publications, 1992
  • A Concise Dictionary of Islamic Terms, Noor Publishing House, 1989
  • Bilal in Hadith, Kazi Publications, 1988
  • Arabic Alphabet Coloring Book, Kazi Publications, 1984
  • What's in a Muslim Name, Kazi Publications, 1982
  • ABC Islamic Reader, Kazi Publications, 1982
  • Miracles of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Kazi Publications, 1979
  • Bilal, the First Muadhdhin of the Prophet of Islam, Kazi Publications, 1976


*Quran: Translation and Transliteration

  • A Comprehensive Index of the Holy Qur’an
  • ‘Amma, 30th Part of the Holy Qur’an, Transliteration, Translation and Arabic Text
  • Arabic for Daily Use
  • Mukhtasar Sahih Muslim (A Summarized Version of Sahih Muslim)