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notes
The Greatest Thing My Mother Taught Me
by Imam Zaid Shakir
I was not blessed to be able to enjoy the presence of my mother throughout my adult life, as she passed away when I was eighteen-years-old. I was able to benefit from her mentorship and wisdom during my formative years, even though many of the lessons she taught me I…
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Hard Questions
by Imam Zaid Shakir
As we North American Muslims enter a new year it might be beneficial for us to ask ourselves some serious questions. A bit of soul searching has never harmed anyone. The type of questions I have in mind involve a set of challenges to some of the prevailing trends which…
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Jerusalem: What Can We Do?
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The recent decision of President Donald J. Trump to both recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and to move the US Embassy to that blessed city is not only a slap in the face of the world’s Muslims and the Palestinian people, it is also a…
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“Heil Trump” is Not a Bad Joke
by Imam Zaid Shakir
When the President of the United Stated retweeted the filthy, fake anti-Muslim propaganda put out by a fascist British organization he effectively declared war on a segment of the population he is sworn to lead and protect. What was the response of his administration? From Sarah Sanders Huckabee to…
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The Perversity of So-Called “Jihad” Thought
by Imam Zaid Shakir
If Mao Zedong described the guerrilla fighter as one who “must move amongst the people as a fish swims in the sea,” an apt description of the “Jihadi” could be one who hates the people and wants to drown them all in a sea -of blood. The murderous atrocity perpetrated…
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A Day of Thanksgiving and Penitence
by Imam Zaid Shakir
When in the autumn of 1863 Abraham Lincoln proposed that the last Thursday of November be observed as a national holiday, he had two things in mind. One was for everyone to stop and thank God for His Bounties, Mercy and Grace. The other, in his words: “And I recommend…
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Cities Ablaze…
by Imam Zaid Shakir
In 1970 the R&B group, The Temptations, sang about “...cities ablaze in the summertime.” The reference was to the race riots that left large swaths of cities like Los Angeles, Newark, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington DC and others burned to the ground. Racism, America’s seemingly incurable disease, continues to rear its…
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Afghanistan: America’s Vietnam
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Afghanistan: America’s Vietnam When the Soviet Union became bogged down in Afghanistan during the 1980s, having fallen into the trap devised by President Jimmy Carter’s recently deceased National Security advisor, Zbigniew Brzezinski, it was frequently said that Afghanistan was the Soviet Union’s “Vietnam.” The reference was to the lasting damage…
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Not Puzzled or Surprised
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Many people are puzzled that President Donald J Trump did not immediately and strongly condemn the white nationalist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. The situation should not be puzzling. Mr. Trump is presiding over a white nationalist regime. Why would he condemn his own? While the country has been obsessed with…
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The Seat
by Imam Zaid Shakir
A place to contemplate the fate Of mortals trying to be men, A place that time cannot erase, Whose depth defies the pen. A seat of power, a seat of love, Which will we let it be? A seat spanning heavens above, A…
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Lady Liberty?
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Liberty is a gift, Handed down by the Constitution, Through time. But have all accepted it, And given it a home In their minds. Are the graces of liberty Truly free, When the disproportionately incarcerated Ask for the key, Given…
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The Massacre
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The toll was gruesome. Over 100 people shot, 15 fatally. Bloody streets, shattered bones, severed limbs, ruined lives and devaststed families. Baghdad? No. Kabul? No. Mogadishu? No. Paris? No. Al Qaida? No. ISIS? No. Al Shabab? No. Boko Haram? No. This was the July 4th weekend toll of shootings in…
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The Importance of Being a Very Public Muslim
by Imam Zaid Shakir
In the climate of fear and mistrust of Muslims being carefully cultivated by some elements in this country it is extremely important to be a very public, very visible, very talkative Muslim. Some Muslims would tend to shun this advice thinking that by “laying low” and being almost invisible they…
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Ali’s Islam
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Once again Muslims are bracing for the possibility that our religion will be sullied by an act of nihilistic violence. It is not the least ironic that the terrible incident occurring yesterday on the iconic London Bridge took place on the date that marks the departure of Muhammad Ali from…
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Naturally
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Her smile reflects the beauty of the sky. Her benefits are there for passersby. Her hair adorned sometimes with colors: gold, and red, yellow, so splendid to behold. Her life is spent measured as seasons pass. The world adorned. Her gift? Her grace, her class.…
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Suffering From Military Complex
by Imam Zaid Shakir
We look upon the problems of the world, We see the refugees the boys and girls, We see the poor pushed from pillar to post, We see the rich propose another toast; To celebrate the lives that they’ve destroyed. We see the lands they throw around like…
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