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Imam Zaid Shakir

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About Me


From 9/11 to Hiroshima
ISNA 2007
Upholding faith, Serving Humanity

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Bill Moyers Interview With Imam Zaid
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Zaid Shakir is amongst the most respected and influential Islamic scholars in the West. As an American Muslim who came of age during the civil rights struggles, he has brought both sensitivity about race and poverty issues and scholarly discipline to his faith-based work. Born in Berkeley, California, he accepted Islam in 1977 while serving in the United States Air Force. He obtained a BA with honors in International Relations at American University in Washington D.C. and later earned his MA in Political Science at Rutgers University. While at Rutgers, he led a successful campaign for disinvestment from South Africa, and co-founded a local Islamic center, Masjid al-Huda.
After a year of studying Arabic in Cairo, Egypt, he settled in New Haven, Connecticut and continued his community activism, co-founding Masjid al-Islam, the Tri-State Muslim Education Initiative, and the Connecticut Muslim Coordinating Committee. As Imam of Masjid al-Islam from 1988 to 1994 he spear-headed a community renewal and grassroots anti-drug effort, and also taught political science and Arabic at Southern Connecticut State University. He then left for Syria to pursue his studies in the traditional Islamic sciences.
For seven years in Syria, and briefly in Morocco, he immersed himself in an intense study of Arabic, Islamic law, Quranic studies, and spirituality with some of the top Muslim scholars of our age. In 2001, he graduated from Syria's prestigious Abu Noor University and returned to Connecticut, serving again as the Imam of Masjid al-Islam, and writing and speaking frequently on a host of issues. That same year, his translation from Arabic into English of The Heirs of the Prophets was published by Starlatch Press.
In 2003, he moved to Hayward, California to serve as a scholar-in-residence and lecturer at Zaytuna Institute, where he now teaches courses on Arabic, Islamic law, history, and Islamic spirituality. In 2005, Zaytuna Institute published Scattered Pictures, an anthology of diverse essays penned by Zaid Shakir.
He is a frequent speaker at local and national Muslim events and has emerged as one of the nation’s top Islamic scholars and a voice of conscience for American Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

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Member Since: 5/6/2007
Band Website: zaidshakir.com
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This literary release seeks to engage readers in meaningful dialogue, communal reflection, and social and spiritual change. Scattered Pictures is an anthology of essays, which discuss difficult and oftentimes controversial topics. In these turbulent times, these are issues that if left un-addressed, could continue to spiral downwards into serious political, social and religious discord. This shining book will appeal to all readers interested in critical solutions for a harmonious understanding across divides in humanity and is an innovative guide for students at both the high school and college levels. One of the most respected and influential Muslim scholars in the West, Imam Shakir is also a former member of the US Air Force and a Political Science professor. With long-standing dedication to the human community, Imam Shakir has helped to shape a better understanding of the conflicts we face. He has forged campaigns for human rights and social justice, and his devotion stands in helping to build and reinforce intellectual and spiritual roots, so that we as a global community may begin to adopt solution-oriented strategies.

In this series of four special lectures, Imam Zaid Shakir examines some of the most pertinent issues of our day in the light of classical Islamic political theory. Opening with an insightful overview of classical Islamic political theory, each of these four dynamic and provocative talks push the limits of the Muslim political imagination to new heights, and force one to think about what it means to be a Muslim in today's challenging times. Delivered by one of the leading Islamic thinkers in North America, this set is indispensable for anyone seeking to work towards building a healthy future for Islam in Western societies.

On the evening of Friday Dec 2, 2005, a jubliant audience gathered at the Calvin Simmons Theatre in Oakland to share in the knowledge, wisdom, and insight of Dr. Cornel West and Imam Zaid Shakir. englightening lecture on the implications of the legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X for the future. According to Dr. Cornel West, Dr. Martin Luther and Malcolm X are no longer isolated icons before whom you worship, they are part of a vital tradition and a vibrant heritage, yet they represent the highest standards of courage, conviction, commitment, and they are the standards against which we measure ourselves. Furthermore, Imam Zaid Shakir stresses, in keeping these two towering figures legacy alive in our times, they were relavant to those beyond their faith, demographic, and national communities. Their messages are relevant internationally.

In this class, Imam Zaid Shakir explains what a madhhab is, what it means to follow a madhhab and why a simplistic “return” to the Qur’an and Sunnah will not eliminate the main reasons for the scholars differing on certain issues. He also examines the categories of legal rulings, ‘blind following’ (taqlid) and many other important issues. This recording is highly recommended for anyone seeking to understand what a madhhab is and the importance of that institution.

In this historic talk, Imam Zaid Shakir presents an insightful look at the history and presence of African Muslims in America during the twentieth century. From the early Islamically in?uenced pan-African movements, the Moorish Science Temple, the Nation of Islam, and the varied Sunni communities to the life and legacy of Malcolm X as a Sunni Muslim, this groundbreaking lecture sheds light on this important topic and its relevance for today and the future. This lecture also served as the ?nal session of Imam Zaid’s Fall Quarter class “Links to the Past, Bridges to the Future: African Muslims in American History” taught at Zaytuna Institute.

One of the greatest crises confronting our contemporary Islamic community (Ummah) is the crises of leadership. Unprincipled, unscrupulous action has become the order of the day. Such a reality is a far cry from the lofty standards established by Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, May Allah be pleased with him, the first poli- tical leader of the Ummah after our beloved Prophet Muhammad, May the Peace and blessing of Allah be upon him. Now for the firsttime, the inaugural address of Abu Bakr May Allah be pleased with him, is analyzed, with an emphasis on the many lessons it contains for Muslim leaders and laity. This set of Friday sermons, delivered by Imam Zaid Shakir, is destined to become a landmark on the horizon of Da'wah in North America.

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My Blog

"Teddy Bear" Crisis

The "Teddy Bear" Crisis By Imam Zaid on 05 December 2007 The recent "Teddy-Bear" crisis in the Sudan in some ...
Posted by Imam Zaid Shakir on Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:09:00 PST

Gods Justice Will Not Sleep Forever

God's Justice Will Not Sleep ForeverBy Imam Zaid on 19 November 2007The world's greatest humanitarian crisis, as quiet as it is kept, is not in Darfur. While the situation there deserves the attention...
Posted by Imam Zaid Shakir on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:56:00 PST

A Beautiful Religion

A Beautiful Religion By Imam Zaid on 16 June 2007 A Beautiful Religion: Part One Unfortunately, many people today perceive Islam as a repugnant, morally bankrupt religion. However, their perceptions ...
Posted by Imam Zaid Shakir on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 09:46:00 PST

Fasting During Shaban

Fasting During Sha'ban By Imam Zaid on 19 August 2007 Sha'ban is a month of good that introduces the great month of Ramadan. The Prophet, peace upon him, used to fast voluntarily during this month mor...
Posted by Imam Zaid Shakir on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 09:44:00 PST

Bill Moyers Interview With Imam Zaid

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Posted by Imam Zaid Shakir on Sun, 08 Jul 2007 11:11:00 PST

Peace and Justice in Islam

We are living in a world where there could obviously be more peace. As Muslims, we realize this fact more than most people, as the peace of many of our brothers and sisters in various parts of the gl...
Posted by Imam Zaid Shakir on Sun, 06 May 2007 11:34:00 PST

What We Should Be Teaching Our Children

When we talk about Islamic education and our children, the discussion usually revolves around strictly academic issues related to technical aspects of curriculum development, testing standards and met...
Posted by Imam Zaid Shakir on Sun, 06 May 2007 11:32:00 PST

Reflections on the Hajj

During these blessed days the great pilgrimage to Mecca, the Hajj, is concluding. Millions of Muslims have descended on the City of Mecca and its environs to reenact ancient rituals, most of which are...
Posted by Imam Zaid Shakir on Sun, 06 May 2007 11:31:00 PST

Islam: Religion or Ideology?

Introduction "Leave this Europe where they are never done talking of Man, yet they murder men everywhere they find them, at the corner of every one of their streets, in all corners of the globe. For c...
Posted by Imam Zaid Shakir on Sun, 06 May 2007 11:32:00 PST

Black History Month Message

As we enter this month dedicated to celebrating the struggle, accomplishments, and significant contributions of Americans of African descent, there is much to note and commemorate. Vitally important, ...
Posted by Imam Zaid Shakir on Sun, 06 May 2007 11:30:00 PST