New Islamic Directions
Shorter reflections and statements on the events of the day.
Imam Zaid Shakir · July 16, 2016
Every day, there are 44 homicides in the US, the majority are committed with firearms. There are approximately 5 gang-related murders in America each day. Every day in the country, an average of 110 people commit suicide, 60 of those deaths involve…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · July 10, 2016
The recent killings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling are inexcusable outrages and the police officers involved in those shootings should be duly tried for their crimes. These and similar police killings, however, cannot be used as a blanket…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · July 6, 2016
The Hadith of Dabiq: A Proof Against ISIS One of the most powerful recruiting tools of ISIS has been its ability to create an apocalyptic appeal around the prophesized destruction of a “Crusader” army at Dabiq, a location in Northern Syria. So…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · June 29, 2016
Once again, the filthy scourge of suicide murder has reared its despicable head, this time in Istanbul, Turkey. Innocent people are once again the target of brainwashed homicidal lunatics, one of whom was captured on film dispatching himself to…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · June 19, 2016
In the aftermath of the Orlando murders many Muslims are adamant that they will not apologize for anything. This is a proper stance as our religion does not advocate collective guilt, nor collective punishment. We are informed in the Qur’an, “No…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · June 16, 2016
Physically, the last phase of Muhammad Ali’s life was very difficult. The ravages of Parkinson’s Disease had robbed him of his health, vigor and voice. Spiritually, however, Ali was only strengthened as he approached the end of his earthly tenure.…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · June 14, 2016
On behalf of the American Muslim community, we, the undersigned, want to extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the barbaric assault that occurred early yesterday morning at Pulse, an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando,…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · May 7, 2016
April 30, 2016 witnessed the passing of Daniel Berrigan. Daniel Berrigan, along with his brother, Philip, both ordained priests, are among the most recognizable names in the history of protest against American military imperialism. One of the…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · May 1, 2016
Complaining (Shakawa) to other fallible humans has no part in our religion. Sincere advice (Nasiha) does. What is the difference between the two? Usually, the complaint starts with what we describe as the first person, “I”. For example, “I don’t…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · April 28, 2016
A Poetic Reflection On The Life of Muhammad Ali Part One: Ali the Fighter He floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee, the greatest fighter the world has yet to see. On one thing his opponents agree, they all got it right; in the ring with Ali…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · April 22, 2016
ISIS is squarely situated in the realm of modern utopian movements that are doomed to fail. The defining feature of these movements is captured by the British political philosopher, John Gray, when he says: "The use of inhumane methods to achieve…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · March 19, 2016
The word أخ or “Akh” means male sibling from the same mother. أخواء or آخوان –> share common goals. أخت or “Ukht” means female sibling from the same mother, plural أخوات. We are all brothers and sisters in the pursuit of a common goal. - The Prophet…
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