New Islamic Directions
Shorter reflections and statements on the events of the day.
Imam Zaid Shakir · July 24, 2015
My maternal grandfather is a Whitaker from Harris County, Georgia. His grandfather, who went by the name of Rich Eubanks (my grandfather, Richmond Whitaker, was named after him) was a slave, sold to an owner in Harris County from somewhere in…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · July 19, 2015
The Muslim world has lost one of its giants with the passing of Shaykh Shukri Lahafi. Despite his stature, it is likely that anyone reading these words who is not from Syria has ever heard of Shaykh Shukri. Before I arrived in Syria, in 1994, to…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · July 16, 2015
If we ask a simple, straightforward question concerning the initiative launched by Faatimah Knight to help rebuild the eight black churches that were either partially or totally destroyed by fire in the immediate aftermath of the assassination of…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · June 30, 2015
Perhaps the greatest hit recording of the popular 1970's disco era singing group, The Bee Gees, was "How Deep Is Your Love." Among the lyrics of that song were the following touching words: "I believe in you You know the door to my very soul You're…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · June 26, 2015
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Let us not forget the people in those parts of Pakistan who are suffering from a horrific heat wave. Almost a thousand people have perished, along with almost three thousand earlier this summer in India, may Allah's mercy…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · June 22, 2015
This is brief response to recent comments about the need for a Khalifa. Brothers and sisters, do not think, simplistically, that the mere existence of a Khalifa will solve the Muslims problems. The Khilafa (office of the Khalifa) was ended by the…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · June 20, 2015
Question: Why is it so hard to call the massacre of African Americans in Charleston, South Carolina a terrorist act? Answer: Because all terrorists are Muslim, and Dylann Root, the confessed murderer is not a Muslim. Question: When obviously…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · May 30, 2015
As we stand on the verge of beginning the great fast, let us pray that the blessings we enjoy are decreed to last. Let us pray for the people, who have lost their homes, fields and cattle in the flood, that they are patient and see their sins washed…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · May 20, 2015
As you gaze upon us from the perch of wisdom bequeathed unto you by the ninety years that have passed since your birth, and you see us sometimes wallowing in our folly; forgive us Brother Malcolm. You gave so much and taught so well, but,…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · May 9, 2015
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…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · April 9, 2015
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 No crime brings him…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · March 23, 2015
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…
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