User:Imzaid

He is one of the signatories of A Common Word Between Us and You , an open letter by Islamic scholars to Christian leaders. It has become the world’s leading interfaith dialogue initiative between Christians and Muslims. [cite web|title=Signatories|url=http://www.acommonword.com/index.php?lang=en&page=signatories|publisher= Signature|access date=October 22, 2011}}

It has become an important interfaith dialogue initiative between Christians and Muslims.[cite web|url= [cite web|title= International Interfaith Conference Convened in Geneva Based upon the "Common Word" Initiative|url=http://en.islamtoday.net/artshow-235-3845.htm |access date=November 3, 2010}

Early life

and co-founded a local Islamic center, Masjid al-Huda [cite web| Brunswick Islamic center title=salatomatic|url=http://www.salatomatic.com/d/New-Brunswick+4150+New-Brunswick-Islamic-Center|accessdate=October 22, 2011}}

and Scholar [cite web|title=Media List – Imam Zaid Shakir Professor, Writer, and Scholar|url=http://www.newislamicdirections.com/media/IZ_BioMediaBinder_R11.pdf/biography|publisher=newislamicdirections.com|accessdate=October 22, 2011}}

and the Connecticut Muslim Coordinating Committee.[cite web|title=Media List – Imam Zaid Shakir Professor, Writer, and Scholar|url=http://www.newislamicdirections.com/media/IZ_BioMediaBinder_R11.pdf/biography|publisher=newislamicdirections.com|accessdate=October 22, 2011}}

Zaid Shakir participates as a speaker at Islamic Society of North America annual conferences.{{cite web|title=Speakers - Short Biographies - Zaid Shakir|url=http://www.isna.net/programs/pages/speakers-services.aspx#65|publisher=Islamic Society of North America|accessdate=October 22, 2011}}

Years Abroad

Zaid Shakir then left for Syria to pursue his studies in the traditional Islamic Sciences.{{cite web|title= Abu Nour - Syrian Studies Association - Study in Syria|url=http://www.ou.edu/ssa/learn.htm|accessdate=November, 2010}} For seven years in Syria, and briefly in Morocco, he immersed himself in an intense study of Arabic, Islamic law, Quranic studies, and spirituality.{{cite web|title= Abu Nour - Syrian Studies Association - Study in Syria|url=http://www.ou.edu/ssa/learn.htm|accessdate=November, 2010}} In 2001, he was the first American graduate from Syria's Abu Nour University {{cite web|title= Abu Nour - Syrian Studies Association - Study in Syria|url=http://www.ou.edu/ssa/learn.htm|accessdate=November, 2010}} and returned to Connecticut, serving again as the Imam of Masjid al-Islam, and writing and speaking frequently on a host of issues.{{cite journal|title=American Muslims and a Meaningful Human Rights Discourse in the Aftermath of September 11, 2001|journal=CrossCurrents|year=2003|volume=52|issue=4|url=http://www.crosscurrents.org/Shakirwinter2003.htm|author=Imam Zaid Shakir}}

^ Template:Http://www.acommonword.com/index.php?lang=en&page=signatories

^ Template:Http://www.newislamicdirections.com/media/IZ BioMediaBinder R11.pdf

^ Template:Http://www.alumni.rutgers.edu/s/896/index.aspx?sid=896&gid=1&pgid=377

^ Template:Http://www.southernct.edu/foreign languages/

^ Template:Http://www.abunour.net/

Criticism

While many have cited Imam Shakir as example of Islamic moderation [cite web |url=http://www.pbs.org/search/search_results.html?q=imam+zaid&btnG=GO |title=Bill Moyers talks Imam Zaid Shakir |date=27 June 2007

Because Islam helped me as a person, and it's helped a lot of people in my community. "[cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/us/18imams.html "U.S. Muslim Clerics Seek a Modern Middle Ground"] On page 4 of an article by Laurie Goodstein in The New York Times

Commendations

Dr. Cornel West states that “he is one of the towering principle voices not only in contemporary Islam, but in American society".{{cite web |url=http://www.martinlutherkingquotes.net/general-martin-luther-king/martin-and-malcolm-by-dr-cornel-west-and-imam-zaid-shakir-2.html | date= November 2005

The New York Times describes him as "a leading intellectual light".{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/us/18imams.html

=Books which include his foreword or note=

[http://www.amazon.com/War-Within-Our-Hearts/dp/184774012X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273794943&sr=1-5, War Within Our Hearts (wrote introduction), 2010]

External links and further reading

=Websites=

[http://zaytunacollege.org/academics/faculty/imam_zaid_shakir Zaytuna College Faculty] - Co-founder, scholar, and teacher
[http://www.newislamicdirections.com/ New Islamic Directions Website] - Imam Zaid's blog and books
[http://www.facebook.com/imamzaidshakir Facebook Fan Page] - Imam Zaid Fan Club
[http://www.myspace.com/imamzaidshakir] - Myspace Audio Site
[http://www.expertclick.com/Zaid_Shakir/8864.aspx] - Yearbook of Experts member profile

=Articles and Interviews=

[http://www.newislamicdirections.com/pressroom/profile/ Media Articles Profile]

=Videos=

[http://www.newislamicdirections.com/pressroom/profile/ Press Room Video Profile]
[http://newislamicdirections.com/mediacast Imam Zaid Media Cast]
[http://www.halaltube.com/category/zaid-shakir Audio and Video lectures]