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 |
| Personal | |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | June 3, 1986 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Children | 3 |
Omar Suleiman, born on June 3, 1986, is an American Islamic scholar and someone who works hard for civil rights. He is the person who started the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. He also teaches Islamic studies at Southern Methodist University and is part of their Ethics Center Advisory Board.
Suleiman is also the main scholar at the Valley Ranch Islamic Center. He used to be a co-chair for Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square.
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Early Life and Education
Omar Suleiman was born on June 3, 1986. His family were Palestinian Muslims living in New Orleans. He earned two bachelor's degrees. One was in accounting and the other in Islamic law.
He also has two Master's degrees. These are in Islamic finance and political history. He finished his advanced studies in Islamic thought and civilization. This was at the International Islamic University Malaysia.
Career Highlights
Suleiman worked as the imam (religious leader) for the Jefferson Muslim Association. He did this for six years. In late 2005, he directed the "Muslims for Humanity" effort. This group helped people after Hurricane Katrina.
He also helped start the East Jefferson Interfaith Clergy Association. In 2010, he received an award. The mayor and city council of New Orleans gave it to him. It was for his great work in the community.
In 2016, Suleiman started the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. This is a Muslim think tank. He also founded MUHSEN. This stands for Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs. It is a group that helps make Muslim communities more welcoming. They work to support people with disabilities and their families.
Since May 2019, he has been a professor at Southern Methodist University. He teaches Islamic Studies there. He is also on the advisory board for the Maguire Ethics Center.
Imam Omar Suleiman finished his PhD in Islamic Thought and Civilization in 2020. He earned this degree from the International Islamic University Malaysia.
Since September 2022, he has been the Resident Scholar at the Valley Ranch Islamic Center. He is also a co-chair of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square.
Working for Change: Activism
Omar Suleiman has been very active in social justice work. He supports many progressive causes. He believes that America is always improving. He says the most patriotic Americans are those who want it to live up to its promises. He also thinks that Muslim theology can help people find freedom.
In July 2016, he joined a march in Dallas. People were protesting the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. After the march, a shooting happened. Five police officers were killed. This was in response to police shootings of African Americans.
Suleiman was asked to lead a prayer at a memorial service. This service was for the officers who died. Many important people attended. These included President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Also there were then-Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden. Former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush also attended.
Since 2015, Suleiman has often visited Syrian refugee camps. He delivers aid with a Muslim aid group. This group is called Helping Hand for Relief and Development.
Suleiman led airport protests in Dallas. These were against the Trump travel ban. This ban limited immigration from seven countries. Many of these countries were mostly Muslim.
In 2017, Suleiman was arrested on Capitol Hill. He was protesting outside the office of then-House Speaker Congressman Paul Ryan. He was part of a sit-in protest. They were asking for changes to immigration laws. Later, he led a group of religious leaders to the U.S.–Mexico border. They protested and met with migrants. This was to show support for those affected by Trump's family separation policy.
He has also helped families of people affected by police brutality. He supports the Black Lives Matter movement. He also stresses how important it is to work against racism.
Suleiman has spoken up for Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin. He has also supported members of the Holy Land Foundation. He sees them as political prisoners.
In December 2021, Suleiman was a main speaker. This was at the Russell Tribunal on War Crimes on Kashmir. It was held in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Threats Against Omar Suleiman
In March 2017, ISIS released a video. It was called Kill The Apostate Imams. The video called for people to kill Suleiman and other Islamic scholars. These scholars lived in the Western world. This video was a response to an earlier video Suleiman made. He worked with American pastor Andrew Stoker. Their video was called An Imam, a Pastor and a Dream. It asked for unity between Christians and Muslims around the world.
Suleiman responded to the threat by saying: "I believe that their venom needs to be condemned. They’ve hijacked my religion."
Awards and Recognition
Omar Suleiman's work has been recognized many times. In 2010, he received an award. It was for his great work in community service, talking with different faiths (interfaith dialogue), and social justice. The mayor and city council of New Orleans gave him this award.
Ozy Magazine called him a "rising star." D Magazine called him "The Religious Leader Dallas Needs."
In 2016, the BBC made a documentary about him. It showed the experiences of Muslims in Texas. They were facing more Islamophobia. In 2017, PBS made another documentary. It showed his work with Syrian refugees.
On May 9, 2019, Suleiman was a guest chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson invited him. He gave the opening prayer for the day.
CNN named Suleiman as 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. It is put together every year by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Amman, Jordan.
In 2018, the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University recognized Suleiman. They honored him among 200 people. Their work was seen as carrying on the legacy of Frederick Douglass's commitment to social change.
The Texas House of Representatives honored Suleiman in March 2022. This was for his help during the Colleyville synagogue hostage crisis. A gunman held people hostage at the Congregation Beth Israel synagogue. Suleiman went to the synagogue and offered to help with hostage negotiations.
Published Works
- Prayers of the Pious, 2019. ISBN: 978-1-84-774129-5
- Allah Loves..., 2020. ISBN: 978-1-84-774135-6
- Repentance: Breaking Habits of Sin, 2020. ISBN: 978-9-67-174029-3
- 40 on Justice: The Prophetic Voice on Social Reform, 2021. ISBN: 978-1-84-774144-8
- Angels in Your Presence, 2021. ISBN: 978-1-84-774150-9
- Meeting Muhammad, 2022. ISBN: 978-1-84-774177-6
- Wings of Faith: Patience and Gratitude, 2022. ISBN: 978-9-67-284419-8
