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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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news
The Greatest, At Rest
by Imam Zaid Shakir
The Greatest, At Rest By Tom Junod One year ago, a chosen few brought Muhammad Ali home for the last time. This is the story of how they carried out their sacred calling. The sound Muhammad Ali hears as he dies is the sound that babies hear right…
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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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Trump Has Trumped the “Wait and See Crowd”
by Imam Zaid Shakir
There are some well-meaning folks who thought Donald J. Trump would be an “America First” isolationist president, despite his sabre rattling during the primaries and his promise to build up the military. When he staffed his cabinet with generals, wall street riff raff, and white nationalists many of those people…
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International Women’s Day
by Imam Zaid Shakir
International Women’s Day is on 8th March. The day has been set aside to celebrate the social, economic and political accomplishments of women. March is a most appropriate month for such a celebration. In the northern hemisphere, March signals the arrival of spring and the blossoming flowers whose colors and…
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Meet the Imam: Livestream
Livestream lectures to be announced.
Taught by Imam Zaid Shakir
Watch Livestream
news
From 9066 to 9/11
by Imam Zaid Shakir
I was blessed last night to speak at an event commemorating Executive Order 9066, issued February 19, 1942, which led to the incarceration of well over 100,000 Japanese Americans. The event was organized by the Asian Law Caucus and emphasized how important it is for vulnerable communities to work together.…
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Justice In This World
by Imam Zaid Shakir
As we work for justice in this world, let us never lose sight of the fact that ultimately we are not living for this world we are living in it. We search assiduously for the program that will assure the most abundant share of justice for ourselves and those we…
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Reality Check
by Imam Zaid Shakir
One man asked another with a bit of a stutter Has Trump got you down in the dumps? The other man said I’m doing just fine and here is the reason why. The birds yet sing, the sun yet shines and the clouds still float across the…
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Chaos or Community
by Imam Zaid Shakir
Chaos or Community The events of this past weekend, beginning with the Trump Administration’s anti-Muslim executive order and culminating with the murder of six Muslims at a mosque in Quebec have sent chilling signals to the Muslim community in North America. Many Muslims are not surprised by these developments, knowing…
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