An imam is a Muslim religious leader. In many towns, the imam is the person who leads the prayers in the mosque and may also teach, give a Friday talk, and help with community questions. The Arabic word means a leader — someone people stand behind. Though actually, the job is not the same in every Muslim tradition. In everyday Sunni use, imam is often the local prayer leader, a respected but human role. In Shia Islam, Imam (often written with a capital I) can mean a much larger figure in history and faith, not only the man at the neighbourhood mosque. English speakers sometimes say “priest” because they want a familiar word; that can mislead, because the training, marriage rules, and church-style ranks are not a simple match. In Taiwan you will mostly meet the word in news about mosques, Ramadan, or world affairs.