Monday: Al-Aqidah: Tenets of Faith
A series of lectures based on the classical text of Islamic doctrine entitled, “The Creed of At-Tahawi” authored by the 4th century Scholar Al-Imam Abu Ja’far At-Tahawi.

Tuesday: Tafsir (Explanation) of Al-Qur’an
A series of lectures explaining various verses of Al-Qur’an based on the classical commentaries of traditional Sunni Scholars.

Wednesday: Sharh (Commentary) of Al-Hadith
A series of lectures explaining various Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) based on classical commentaries of traditional Sunni Scholars of Hadith.

Thursday: The Importance of Adh Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah)
A series of lectures explaining the virtues of Dhikr based on Al-Qur’an, As-Sunnah, and the sayings of the traditional Sunni Scholars.

Friday: The Science of Islamic Spirituality
A general lecture based on the classical text entitled, “The Treatise for the Seekers of Guidance”.

Click here to view the full schedule of classes.

Hajji Imam Dr. Khairi Abdus Shakur’s Legacy
Lovingly submitted by his family…

“I am a voice for the people without a voice” – Imam Dr. Khairi Abdus Shakur

Hajji Imam Dr. Khairi Abdus Shakur, affectionately called Abi, was born as Gary Bredell Black on November 17, 1948 in Atlanta, GA to Brady and Azalee Black (Murrell).

He attended County Line Elementary School. In 1960, he moved to Philadelphia, PA with his mother. While in Philadelphia, he attended Penn Treaty Junior High School and Thomas Edison High School. While at Thomas Edison, he fenced, and his team became the first African American fencing team to win the State Fencing Championship. Imam Shakur completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Antioch University. He received a BA in Counseling and Human Services and a Masters Degree in Education. He received his PhD in Clinical Pastoral Counseling. He studied Arabic language at the University of Pennsylvania. He also attended North Central College Seminary, and King Abdul Azziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

In 1969, Khairi was drafted to fight in the Vietnam war, and received honorable discharge after a race war ensued at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Imam Shakur, joined the Nation of Islam while in high school, and converted to Al Islam in 1969. He has served as the resident Imam for Masjid Muhammad in Atlantic City, NJ for over 30 years.

He was a highly sought after and profound public speaker who lectured for Masajid, interfaith organizations, businesses, correctional facilities, colleges and universities. He was proficient in Quranic and conversational Arabic. In 1980, as a volunteer at the New Jersey Department of Corrections, he established full-time Muslim chaplaincy positions and served an appointment as the first African American and Muslim Coordinator of Chaplaincy for all denominations. Further, he was appointed as a member of both the consulting and executive committees of the New Jersey Department of Corrections. Imam Shakur was sought after by the Federal Bureau of Corrections to serve as a consultant and liaison. He was instrumental in developing the first Muslim American Chaplaincy Course at the Muslim Teachers College in Randolph, VA. where he served on the Board of Trustees and as a Director of Continuing Education. He was invited to King Abdul Azziz University as a visiting professor.

Imam Shakur traveled to Mecca, Saudi Arabia to complete the rites of Hajj two times, Umrah nine times. He also traveled to Yemen, Japan, Indonesia, United Kingdom, as well as many other countries.

Imam Shakur has received the honor of being invited to the White House as a representative of Islam during the Clinton, Bush and Obama Presidential administrations.

Imam Shakur served as Wazir (chairman) for the Majlis ash Shurra of the Delaware Valley. He was a member of the National Council of Masajid, the National Association of Muslim Chaplains, the National Conference on Diversity, the American Corrections Association, the American Halal certification board, and was a Chairman of the Muhammad Ali Global Village Champions philanthropic board.

Imam Shakur said that his influences were Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Martin Luther King Jr. taught him to keep hope alive and have a spirit of optimism. Malcolm X taught him not to think of himself as a minority because it makes you inferior. And Elijah Muhammad taught him to have strong work ethic, to be a builder, and an ambassador for his people.

Hajji Imam Dr. Khairi Abdus Shakur’s legacy will be maintained by his wife Shirley Jones-Shakur, his children: Yusef, Ibn Khairi, Amina, Sakina and Munir, his grandchildren: Sana, Devon, Khadidrah, Khayah, and Mecca, his siblings: Stanley, Leah, Shawna, and Sheila, his extended family, including Jody, Jesse, and Dennis, his congregation, and the many people he touched.

Lecture #1:
The Origin and Development of Schools of Thought (Mathabs) in Al Islam
Saturday, August 1,2009
10:30-5:00pm

Lecture #2:
The Islamic Family Law of Inheritance (Also: The Differences Between Inheritance, Wills and Trusts)
Sunday, August 2,2009
10:30-2:30pm

Price (includes one meal!):
$15.00 (per person)
$25.00 (family)

Our speaker, Shaykh Imaduddeen Abu Hijleh was born in Jordan and currently resides and teaches in Tarim , Yemen . He spent several years studying Fiqh in the Middle East under well known scholars such as Shaykh Mustafa Mekki and Shaykh Ahmed Mabrook. Through his studies, he has received several teaching certificates in Qur’an, Hadith, and Fiqh. Shaykh Imad has taught at well known institutions in the United States such as Harvard University and MIT, as well as the Razi Institute in Everett , MA , of which he was also the founder.

Who should attend? Imams, teachers, head of families, Mothers, our future leaders – our children. (Did we miss anyone? If we did you should come to!!!!!!)
Come with your questions/experiences.

Venders welcome!
Contacts: Sis. Zakiyah 609-892-4068 or Imam Shakur @1800-267-1044

Please come out and support this event, inshallah!

We will simulcast it on the jumbo screen. There will be entertainment and an International Buffet.

Date: January 20, 2009

Time: 4:30pm

Cost: FREE Admission. Dinners will be available for purchase.

Hosts: Kaleem Shabazz and Suad El-Amin

Dress: Muslim Chic

Please join us next month, when we host another Interfaith Dialogue meeting. All are welcome!