Omar Suleiman (imam) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Omar Suleiman |
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Imam Omar Suleiman speaks at UNRWA USA's Gaza 5k fundraising event in Dallas, Texas, on September 28, 2024
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| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Sunni |
| Alma mater | International Islamic University Malaysia |
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| Nationality | American |
| Born | June 3, 1983 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Children | 3 |
Omar Suleiman (born June 3, 1986) is an American Islamic scholar and a civil rights activist. This means he is a religious leader who also works to make sure everyone has fair and equal rights. He started the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. This institute is like a research center for Islamic studies. He also teaches about Islamic studies at Southern Methodist University.
Suleiman is also the main scholar at the Valley Ranch Islamic Center. He helps lead Faith Forward Dallas, a group that brings different faiths together.
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Early Life and Learning
Omar Suleiman was born on June 3, 1986, in New Orleans. His family were Palestinian Muslims. He studied both accounting and Islamic law. He also earned advanced degrees in Islamic finance and political history. He completed his highest studies in Islamic thought in Malaysia.
His Work and Career
After finishing his studies, Omar Suleiman went back to New Orleans. He served as the imam (a Muslim religious leader) for the Jefferson Muslim Association for six years. He also helped lead the "Muslims for Humanity" effort after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. This effort helped people affected by the hurricane.
He helped start the East Jefferson Interfaith Clergy Association. This group brought together religious leaders from different faiths. In 2010, he received an award from the mayor of New Orleans for his great work in the community.
In 2016, Suleiman started the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. This is a Muslim think tank, which means it's a group that does research and shares ideas. He also founded MUHSEN (Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs). MUHSEN is a group that helps make Muslim communities more welcoming for people with special needs and their families.
He has taught Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University. He also serves on an advisory board there that focuses on ethics. He is currently the main scholar at the Valley Ranch Islamic Center. He also helps lead Faith Forward Dallas, a group that works to unite different faith communities.
Working for Justice and Change
Omar Suleiman is very active in working for social justice. This means he works to make society fairer for everyone. He supports many causes that aim to improve society. He believes that America is always improving and that people who want it to be better are truly patriotic. He also thinks that Muslim teachings can inspire people to seek freedom and fairness.
In July 2016, he joined protests in Dallas. These protests were against the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. These events involved police shootings of African Americans. After a shooting happened during one of these protests, he was asked to speak at a memorial service. Important leaders like President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush were there.
Since 2015, Suleiman has often visited Syrian refugee camps. He helps deliver aid with a Muslim humanitarian group called Helping Hand for Relief and Development.
Suleiman also led protests at airports in Dallas. These protests were against the "Muslim ban." This was a rule that limited people from certain Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.
In 2017, Suleiman was arrested while protesting on Capitol Hill. He was calling for changes to immigration laws. He later led a group of religious leaders to the U.S.–Mexico border. They went to support and meet migrants affected by a policy that separated families.
He has also helped families of people affected by police brutality. He supports the Black Lives Matter movement. He stresses how important it is to work against racism.
Threats Against Omar Suleiman
In March 2017, a group called ISIS released a video. In the video, they called for the killing of Suleiman and other Islamic scholars. This was because Suleiman had made a video with a Christian pastor. Their video called for unity between Christians and Muslims. Suleiman said that ISIS had "hijacked" his religion.
Awards and Special Recognition
Omar Suleiman has received many awards for his work. In 2010, he got an award from the mayor of New Orleans for his community service. This award recognized his efforts in bringing different faiths together and working for social justice.
He has been called a "rising star" by Ozy Magazine. D Magazine called him "The Religious Leader Dallas Needs."
The BBC made a documentary about him in 2016. It showed the experiences of Muslims in Texas facing rising Islamophobia (fear or hatred of Islam). In 2017, PBS also made a documentary about his work with Syrian refugees.
On May 9, 2019, Suleiman was invited to be the guest chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives. He gave the opening prayer for the day.
CNN named him one of 25 Muslim American change-makers. He was also included in The Muslim 500. This is a list of the world's most influential Muslims each year.
He was honored for his work that reflects the legacy of Frederick Douglass. Douglass was a famous leader who worked for social change.
In March 2022, the Texas House of Representatives honored Suleiman. This was for his help during the Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis. When people were held hostage in a synagogue, Suleiman went there. He offered to help talk to the person holding the hostages.
Books He Has Written
- Prayers of the Pious, 2019.
- Allah Loves..., 2020.
- Repentance: Breaking Habits of Sin, 2020.
- 40 on Justice: The Prophetic Voice on Social Reform, 2021.
- Angels in Your Presence, 2021.
- Meeting Muhammad, 2022.
- Wings of Faith: Patience and Gratitude, 2022.
