New Islamic Directions
Shorter reflections and statements on the events of the day.
Imam Zaid Shakir · November 9, 2016
America today is no different than it was yesterday. The sun will shine, the birds will chirp and the clouds will still roll across the sky. We need to move beyond the cycle of panicked reactions to crises, real or perceived, and begin working more…
Note
Imam Zaid Shakir · November 3, 2016
Jen Senko's brilliant documentary, "The Brainwashing of My Dad," examines the systematic popularizing of the raunchy racism, misogyny, and anti-Muslim bigotry that has come to dominate our political discourse through the lens of her father's…
Note
Imam Zaid Shakir · October 22, 2016
Like a flower her smile reveals the truth, Her clarity defies the need for proofs. That even in these dark days of our hate, To blossom and to shine shall be our fate. The deep morass that couches our sins, Can be traversed if we but look within.…
Note
Imam Zaid Shakir · October 5, 2016
One of the reasons many Muslim women find it difficult to find a viable mate is the increasingly large number of Muslim men who are choosing to marry non-Muslim women. Of course this is something that is lawful in Islam. That being said, in choosing…
Note
Imam Zaid Shakir · October 4, 2016
Sun setting into the western sea, More beautiful than Joyce Kilmer's tree. Sun setting into the western sea, Is there a reality onshore she's trying to flee? Or is she simply obeying the Divine command -Be!
Note
Imam Zaid Shakir · September 11, 2016
Today is the greatest of days. It is the day the pilgrims will stand on Arafat longing for the Mercy of their Lord. It is one of the days that sees the deeds of the servants multiplied in ways unmatched throughout the year. It is the day when the…
Note
Imam Zaid Shakir · September 9, 2016
An elderly Muslim woman, Nazma Khanam, is brutally stabbed to death in New York, but it is not a hate crime. A few weeks earlier, in the same neighborhood, two Muslim Imams are singled out and executed in broad daylight, but it is not a hate crime.…
Note
Imam Zaid Shakir · August 28, 2016
I had the great honor of presiding over both the funeral prayer and memorial service for Muhammad Ali. I was scheduled to deliver the final speech at both of those events. The funeral prayer was scheduled for an hour and a portion of that time was…
Note
Imam Zaid Shakir · August 26, 2016
Thank you Allah for the mind that produced these words. Thank you Allah, for private thoughts, shared with only You, unheard. Thank you Allah for gracing me to see another day. Thank you Allah for blessing me with the ability to say... "Thank you…
Note
Imam Zaid Shakir · August 2, 2016
The treachery of the "international community" towards the Syrian people is reaching a disgusting climax. It is obvious that the United States has cut a deal with the Russians, hence, indirectly, the Syrian regime, to combine forces to go after ISIS…
Note
Imam Zaid Shakir · July 29, 2016
Bill O’Reilly, ignited a firestorm, when commenting on Michelle Obama’s speech at the DNC, stated: “Slaves that worked there [constructing the White House] were well fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government, which stopped hiring slave…
Note
Imam Zaid Shakir · July 19, 2016
“Stop this killing!” was the fervently repeated plea of Alton Sterling’s aunt, being interviewed in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of three police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. That is the very town that witnessed the gruesome killing of…
Note
