New Islamic Directions
Shorter reflections and statements on the events of the day.
Imam Zaid Shakir · October 13, 2014
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…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · October 8, 2014
As we conclude our celebration of this Eid holiday, let us all take time to recount the many blessings we enjoy. Although it is certainly true that there are many places in our Ummah that face persistent strife, and we have a responsibility to do…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · September 16, 2014
Those of us who have been speaking out against the menace of so-called "Jihad" must redouble our efforts. "Jihad" is far more than a threat to the lives of unsuspecting innocent people, both here in the West and in Muslim countries. It is a threat…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · September 6, 2014
In his Time Magazine essay discussing the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Rand Paul focuses on the militarizing of our police. He also mentions the malicious role that race plays in our law enforcement and criminal justice systems,…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · August 1, 2014
“And that’s the difference between us and our neighbors,” he continued. “They consider murderers to be heroes. They name public squares after them. We don’t. We condemn them and we put them on trial and we’ll put them in prison." Binyamin Netanyahu…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · March 7, 2014
Imam Zaid Shakir and opponents of a new surveillance center in Oakland are making their voices heard, including Muslims who fear they are being unfairly targeted. By Christin Ayers, CBS San Francisco. For more info: http://cbsloc.al/1cIHYGz
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Imam Zaid Shakir · May 13, 2013
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali mentions in Lata’if al-Ma’arif: The month of Rajab is the key to the months of goodness and blessings that follow it. Abu Bakr b. al-Warraq al-Balkhi said: “Rajab is the month to sow the seeds; Sha’ban is the month to irrigate…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · April 24, 2013
H-E-A-L to heal: to make sound or whole (heal a wound); to restore to health; to cause an undesirable condition to be overcome; to mend; to patch up (a breach or division); to restore to original purity or integrity. H is for Hearts In the aftermath…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · April 12, 2013
On March 6, 2013 Zaytuna College hosted the former United States Attorney General, Ramsey Clark. Clark, now 86 years old, brings a wealth of experience from both inside and outside of government to his presentations, which was one of the reasons for…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · February 9, 2013
Black History Month should be of interest to every Muslim, especially in America. It is estimated that upwards to 20% of the Africans enslaved in the Americas were Muslim. [1] In some areas, such as the coast of the Carolinas, Georgia, and parts of…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · November 17, 2012
In our world of increasing need the answer has to be found in relentless giving despite cultural discourse calling for an end to altruism. “Those who adopted the abode and faith before them love those who migrated to them, and they find no need in…
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Imam Zaid Shakir · October 26, 2012
The following excerpt is from "Lata’if al-Ma’arif" by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali concerning the virtue and some of the actions to be undertaken on the Day of Arafa (pp. 487-495) I wanted to get this out today for the benefit of the believers so I have not…
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