New Islamic Directions
Essays and longer reflections by Imam Zaid Shakir.
Imam Zaid Shakir · July 25, 2009
A.1. Etiquette/Courtesy (Adab) Adab involves good comportment, whether one is standing or sitting; maintaining good character, and manifesting praiseworthy traits. Its essence involves knowing all the things to be avoided in order not to commit…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · July 24, 2009
There is a time for everything. The time has come to change the format of this blog and the articles that appear on this site. My political writings and social commentary will be done through other media from now on. This site will be used for…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · July 13, 2009
On Tuesday, June 30, 2009, Cynthia McKinney, a former United States Congresswoman, and a recent presidential candidate, was taken prisoner, along with a group of noted human rights and peace activists, including a Nobel laureate, while sailing in…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · July 12, 2009
In the 1970s the social activist, blues singer, and revolutionary poet, Gill Scott-Heron, wrote a moving song entitled a Prayer for Everybody in the World . May Allah bless us to realize in our lives the realities he has identified here, for they…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · July 8, 2009
In Response to a brief essay I wrote in the aftermath of Michael Jackson's passing, an individual identifying himself as RHM wrote the following comment: As Salamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh, Bismillah ir Rahman ir Raheem Cynthia McKinney,…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · June 26, 2009
Like the light of a meteor streaking across the crisp, cold, clear sky of a winter’s night, Michael Jackson streaked across the sky defining this country’s cultural horizons. None of us coming of age in urban America will forget Michael’s debut onto…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · May 6, 2009
This brief article is not to argue that there are no pirates operating off the coast of Somalia. There are. However, they are by no means the only pirates operating in the India Ocean, or globally, and they are by no means the most dangerous…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · April 17, 2009
Photos from Mali and Timbuktu - 2009 Click the 'Play' button to view the slideshow. To watch the full-screen version, please click the icon in the right bottom corner with the 4 arrows. Please feel free to share the link to this page, the slideshow…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · April 17, 2009
The journey back to Bamako from Timbuktu was via the Bambara Maude, which would make it several hours shorter than the journey preceding our arrival. The trip to Gossi had taken us north of Timbuktu, so that leg of the trip had already been…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · April 3, 2009
After a brief lunch and a quick nap our group gathered for a meeting with the Governor of Timbuktu. We had been scheduled to meet with him earlier that day. However, the schedule was too tight for us. He had also been busy, called away from his…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · March 28, 2009
After returning to the Imam’s house, we were seated in the room we had previously occupied. However, now the room was illuminated with the light beaming from the faces of religious scholars, both young and old. The senior scholars were all adorned…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · March 24, 2009
After returning to the hotel, we ironed fresh clothing in preparation for a formal visit with the Imam of the Grand Mosque. Even our drivers and guides had doffed their mundane western garb in favor of beautiful traditional garments. The time passed…
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