Zaid Shakir is a prominent Islamic scholar, teacher, and author known for his work in promoting traditional Islamic scholarship in the West. He is the co-founder and resident scholar of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California, and the founder of the New Islamic Directions organization.
Early Life and Education
Shakir was born in 1956 in Berkeley, California, and raised in a working-class African American family. He converted to Islam in 1977, while serving in the United States Air Force.
A summa cum laude graduate, he obtained a BA in International Relations at American University in Washington, D.C., earned his MA in Political Science at Rutgers University. He later traveled to Syria to study Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Damascus.
In the early 1980s, Shakir returned to the Middle East to study traditional Islamic scholarship in Egypt and Syria. He studied under some of the most prominent scholars of the time, including the Syrian Sheikh Abd al-Rahman al-Shaghouri and the Egyptian Sheikh Muhammad al-Ghazali. He also spent time studying in Morocco, where he developed a deep appreciation for the spiritual and intellectual traditions of North Africa.
Personal Life
Shakir is married and has children. He is a respected figure within the American Muslim community and is known for his commitment to traditional Islamic scholarship and his efforts to promote understanding and dialogue between different communities.
Career
Shakir has taught at several universities and Islamic institutions in the United States and abroad, including the University of California, Berkeley and Hartford Seminary. He is the co-founder and resident scholar of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California, which is the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the United States. He is also the founder of the New Islamic Directions organization, which works to promote traditional Islamic scholarship and education in the West.
In addition to his work as a teacher and educational administrator, Shakir is also a prolific author and speaker. He has written several books on Islamic theology, law, and spirituality, including “The Language of the Spirit: An Introduction to Classical Islamic Thought” and “Rays of Faith: An Introduction to the Principles of Islamic Spirituality”. He is also a regular contributor to various publications and is a sought-after speaker on issues related to Islam and Muslim life in the West.
Shakir’s work has been recognised by various organisations and institutions, including the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, the Islamic Scholarship Fund, and the Bay Area American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. He has been invited to speak at events and conferences around the world, including at the United Nations and the World Economic Forum. He has also served as an advisor to various organisations and institutions, including the Islamic Society of North America and the Islamic Legal Studies Program at Harvard Law School.
Overall, Zaid Shakir is a prominent Islamic Scholar, teacher and author known for his work in promoting traditional Islamic scholarship in the West. He is the co-founder of Zaytuna College and founder of the New Islamic Directions organization. He is respected figure within the American Muslim community and is known for his commitment to traditional Islamic scholarship and his efforts to promote understanding and dialogue between different communities.
