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This literary release seeks to engage readers in meaningful dialogue, communal reflection, and social and spiritual change. Scattered Pictures is an anthology of essays that discuss difficult and oftentimes controversial topics. In these turbulent times, these are issues that if left unaddressed, could continue to spiral downwards into serious political, social and religious discord. One of the most respected and influential Muslim scholars in the West, Imam Shakir is also a former member of the US Air Force and a Political Science professor. His academic credentials include a Bachelor in Arts with honors from American University, a Masters Degree in Political Science from Rutgers University and extensive study of Islamic Law and the Arabic language in the Middle East. With long-standing dedication to the human community, Imam Shakir has helped to shape a better understanding of the conflicts we face. He has forged campaigns for human rights and social justice, and his devotion stands in helping to build and reinforce intellectual and spiritual roots, so that we as a global community may begin to adopt solution-oriented strategies. Imam Zaid Shakir was born in Berkeley, California and accepted Islam in 1977 while serving in the United States Air Force. He graduated summa cum laude and earned a BA in International Relations at the American University in Washington, D.C. and an MA in Political Science from Rutgers University. While overseas in Egypt, Syria, and Morocco, he studied Arabic and traditional Islamic sciences including Islamic law, Qur'an, and Islamic spirituality. He co-founded Masjid Al-Islam in Connecticut and taught Political Science at Southern Connecticut State University. He has written numerous articles for various magazines, journals, newspapers, and translated several books from Arabic into English including Heirs of the Prophets. Imam Zaid Shakir currently teaches full-time at the Zaytuna Institute in Hayward, California as a scholar-in-residence. Editorial Reviews British political philosopher - Dr. Roger Scruton, author of "Culture Counts: Faith and Feeling in a World Besieged". Thought-provoking, Suzanne, September 22, 2007 An Intellectual Genius, a homeowner, 08/21/2007
Yasmin, A reviewer, 01/27/2007
Sana Khan, a university student from Canada, 12/06/2006 - Anna, someone who loves books, 11/02/2006 - "This collection of Zaid Shakir's essays is long overdue. For some years now he has brought a clarity of mind and feeling to substantive issues challenging Muslims today. It is good to see some of his fire-fly, lightning bolt thinking captured in words and put between covers." - Michael Wolfe, author of The Hadj: An American's Pilgrimage to Mecca "Imam Zaid Shakir has compiled in this volume a number of his articles which address some of the burning issues that challenge all religious men and women in the United States of America and beyond. What is remarkable about this text is its message of hope. Deeply rooted in the Western and Islamic traditions, and bent on reconciling and profiting from both of them, Imam Shakir has written a text that could serve as a useful model for younger Muslims coming from a similar background. His reflections in this text have made it clear to me that the person who wrote this book is a man whose mental furniture has been properly re-arranged by his encounter with the Qur'an and the legacy of Prophet Muhammad. Muslims and non-Muslims will find much inspiration from teh messages that are beautifully packaged for those who think seriously and critically." - Sulayman S. Nyang, Ph.D., Howard University "The clarity with which Imam shakir delves into issues such as the true nature of jihad and the relationship between Islam and the African American struggle leaves the reader with new insights and imparts him or her a satisfying resolution to many unspoken issues and hardened realizations common to man Muslims today." - Yahiya Emerick, author of Muhammmad (Critical Lives series) "Your writings take me to another level in understanding Islam. I've gone from curious, to interested, to fascinated -- and, now, to your thought provoking & (positively) challenging works!" - A Reader From San Jose, CA "I think Imam Zaid is doing a great job in his work of dawaah" - A Reader From Canada "Imam Zaid Shakir is one of the towering principle voices not only in contemporary Islam, but in American society." - Dr Cornel West, author of Democracy Matters, #1 Best Seller. Imam Zaid Shakir is one of the brilliant thinkers of our time. His writings prove to be a source of clarity in a time of confusion for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike. It is quite rare to find an individual who is well versed in both the Islamic and Western traditions. In Scattered Pictures, he has compiled some of his truly thought provoking essays from the past few years. He has dealt with both traditional issues, such as the true meaning of Jihad to the more contemporary issues, and challenges faced by American Muslims after September 11th. This book will give you a glimpse into Islam, which is rarely seen in today's world. I highly recommend this book. - Tariq Subhani, PA
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Scattered Pictures is an inspiration, February 13, 2007© Copyright 2008. AtlasBooks®, BookMasters®.
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