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Defending The Honor of The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) ?
by Imam Zaid Shakir
If we lived in sane times, we would be searching for the particular psychosis that afflicted the wretched souls who attempted to shoot up the asinine “Draw Muhammad” gathering in Garland, Texas. Unfortunately, there are plenty of deluded Muslims who will declare the shooters were “defending the honor of the…
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Only a Pawn in Their Game
by Imam Zaid Shakir
This poem is based on Bob Dylan’s song, “Only a Pawn in Their Game.” Bullets from the back of a bush a dune or a mount Shells too numerous to count The hatred he cannot surmount And the religion he flaunts So blindly he aims…
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Vacuous
by Imam Zaid Shakir
As empty as the words of murderers masking gangster-like executions behind justifications ripped like raw flesh from the bones of the Holy Book. As empty as the words of a professional liar, as he glibly dismisses the political aspirations of a people rendered invisible behind the ghetto…
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Mommy’s Not Coming Home
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Mommy’s Not Coming Home She merely step off the ill-fated bus, Her killer, In God, he did not trust, So ashes-to-ashes and dust-to-dust, Mommy’s not coming home. Baba went to the mosque to pray, Not realizing he’d never see another day, A suicide murderer…
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Prophetic Warning Against Murdering Christians
by Imam Zaid Shakir
When murder becomes an end, in and of itself, all principles are cast aside. The fact that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ severely condemned Usama bin Zayd, when he killed a captive who had pronounced the Muslim Declaration of Faith (Shahadah), is meaningless to the shot-callers of ISIS when they decided…
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On The Death of Three Muslims
by Imam Zaid Shakir
As-Salaam Alaikum, Our condolences to the families of Deah Barakat, Yusor Abu Salha and her sister Razan, the three young Muslims who were murdered yesterday in North Carolina. May their entrance into Paradise be swift and sure, as is the case for the martyr. Many are complaining of the lack…
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North Texas Muslims, Neighbors Gather to Call For Peace
by Imam Zaid Shakir
From a rally in front of Dallas City Hall to an interfaith gathering inside a North Dallas church, hundreds of North Texans spent Sunday decrying terrorism — and denouncing those who blame the entire Islamic religion for the violent acts of an extremist few. By Brandon Formby and Claire Z.…
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Messengers of Mercy
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Muslims are messengers of mercy to humanity. This message is being buried under the mountains of distortion and defamation being directed towards our community and the gasoline that some ignorant, misguided or devious Muslims are wittingly or unwittingly pouring on smoldering embers of hatred, fear and insecurity that some anti-Muslim…
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Praise Allah!
by Imam Zaid Shakir
If you have been blessed to experience beauty this day or night, praise Allah! If you are in a cold climate yet have a warm home, praise Allah! If you have been blessed with good health, praise Allah! If you have ample resources or adequate wealth, praise…
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Eric Garner: I Can’t Breathe: Eleven Times
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Like Eric Garner, I can’t breathe, eleven times… Maybe because America has stolen my breath, But how could that be, America is never guilty of theft. No stolen labor from chattel slaves, No stolen land from vanquished braves, No stolen kingdom called Hawaii…
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Ferguson Fallout: In the Shadow of Emmett Till
by Imam Zaid Shakir
If Emmett Till would be the last to die, Then why was Michael Brown left to ask why? Then why was Tamir Rice gunned down so fast? And why was Omar’s life not one to last? Darrien Hunt shot six times in the back, And no…
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Ferguson Fallout: “Black-on-Black” Crime and Police Shootings
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Rudy Giuliani, in discussing the case of Michael Brown’s killing in Ferguson, Missouri, made the following statement, “I find it very disappointing,” he told [Chuck] Todd, “that you’re not discussing the fact that 93 percent of blacks in America are killed by other blacks. … I would like to see…
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A Thanksgiving Prayer
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Let us give thanks for blessings we behold, Blessings transcending wealth –silver and gold. Let us remember those who’ve lost their way, Let us remember solemnly to pray. And as we fall down humbly on our knees, Let us give thanks for hearts that aren’t diseased.
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Ferguson: Why Race Still Matters
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Ferguson: While Race Still Matters By Imam Zaid Shakir Note: This essay was first posted in the immediate aftermath of the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. In the aftermath of the Grand Jury’s decision not to indict the officer who killed Brown, a decision I totally expected, I…
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Between The Deen and Halloween
by Imam Zaid Shakir
One the tragedies of our times is found in the easy willingness some Muslims accept practices, rituals or cultural symbols that have their roots in demonic or occult practices. Halloween is a perfect example. Most scholars trace the origins of Halloween to the then pagan Celtic people who believed that…
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Why I Look Forward to RIS
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Virtually everyone I know who has attended the Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference (RIS) since its inception feel that it is the best large Islamic Conference they have attended. I definitely feel that way. The organizers have done an amazing job in creating a highly professional event that truly leaves…
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