Salam blackbeard88
i never asked this question and i don't know if this question should be in this thread or not. i just wondered about what the imaams say or how do they give sermons? and you hear so many rumurs about the spiritual leaders and that they preach hate and violence. then you hear about how so many mosques are being watched and the mosque where i live, there was an incident on the news where the police had gathered around, saying that there was violent activities taking place there.
Don't let the rumors lead you the wrong way. Well in my country (Muslim majority), Imams usually give sermons on Friday. In many mosques, Imams have a fixed day and time to give explanation of Quran and a day for hadith. During Ramzan, after Tarawi (Ramzan prayers), many Imams explain the verses recited during the prayers. But the main sermon is on Friday. That semon may have any topic. For example, these days, the main topic of the sermons is Ramzan and fasting. Imams explain different verses of Quran and Hadith regarding fasting. In other months, the topic may be prayers (Salaah), Charity (Zakat, Sadka). During the pilgrimage season, the topic is pilgrimage. Otherwise we have topics such as Oneness of God, preservation of Quran, rights of Quran, fearing God, stories of messengers, associating partners with God (Shirk). Sometimes the topic is related to the society such as lawful earnings (Rizq-e-Halal), Rights of parents, rights of relatives/neighbors. Sometimes, Imams narrate the story of prophet Muhammad or his companions. The story of 4 righteous Caliphs after prophet Muhammad is also told. There are many other topics. Regarding how they do it, well, in Arab countries, the entire sermon is in Arabic. However in a non-Arab country (like mine), in the first 30-40 minutes the sermon is in the local language and in the next 10-15 minutes, there is a special Arabic sermon.
and what does it take to be an imaam? is it something you have to go to school for? i know there are christian schools like concordia seminaries and universities where you can study theology and such. is that the same for people wanting to be imaams?
Over here, most Imams are graduate from madrassas (Islamic religious schools). They usually have sufficient knowledge regarding Quran and Islam. I don't know about European countries or America though.
can females be imaams and lead prayers or sermons in the mosque?
Well generally females are not allowed to lead prayers when the praying people are both male and female, simply because Islam respects women. I wouldn't want my sister or my mother to bend or bow in front of males inside a mosque.
Peace