Omar Suleiman
Muslim Central
Imam Omar Suleiman is the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research and a professor of Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University. He’s also the resident scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center, and Co-Chair of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square, a multi-faith alliance for peace and justice.
Originally from New Orleans, LA, he began his journey of traditional Islamic learning in the year 2000 and has spent years studying in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Malaysia, etc. Upon becoming certified in various traditional sciences, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic law, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, a Master’s degree in Islamic Finance, a Master’s Degree in Political History, and is in the process of completing his PhD from the International Islamic University of Malaysia in Islamic Thought and Civilization.
His career started in his hometown of New Orleans where he served as the Imam of the Jefferson Muslim Association in New Orleans for 6 years and directed the ICNA Relief “Muslims for Humanity” Hurricane Katrina Relief effort. It was in this time that he was noted on a national level as being a strong advocate of community service, interfaith dialogue, and social justice. He co-founded the East Jefferson Interfaith Clergy Association and was awarded for his outstanding civic achievement by the Mayor and City Council of New Orleans in 2010.
He then moved to Dallas and became the Resident Scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center in 2013 and more recently, Co-Chair of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square. In Dallas, he has been a noted leader and voice for peace, and has partaken as a representative of the Muslim Community in many city functions. He has since been a guest at various national functions to share his experiences in community building.
Shaykh Omar most recently founded the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research which is a think tank that focuses on instilling conviction based on Islamic texts, and producing contribution. He also founded M.U.H.S.E.N (Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs), a nonprofit umbrella organization serving the community to establish a more inclusive “Special Friendly” environment for our Brothers & Sisters of all Disabilities.
Originally from New Orleans, LA, he began his journey of traditional Islamic learning in the year 2000 and has spent years studying in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Malaysia, etc. Upon becoming certified in various traditional sciences, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Islamic law, a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, a Master’s degree in Islamic Finance, a Master’s Degree in Political History, and is in the process of completing his PhD from the International Islamic University of Malaysia in Islamic Thought and Civilization.
His career started in his hometown of New Orleans where he served as the Imam of the Jefferson Muslim Association in New Orleans for 6 years and directed the ICNA Relief “Muslims for Humanity” Hurricane Katrina Relief effort. It was in this time that he was noted on a national level as being a strong advocate of community service, interfaith dialogue, and social justice. He co-founded the East Jefferson Interfaith Clergy Association and was awarded for his outstanding civic achievement by the Mayor and City Council of New Orleans in 2010.
He then moved to Dallas and became the Resident Scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center in 2013 and more recently, Co-Chair of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square. In Dallas, he has been a noted leader and voice for peace, and has partaken as a representative of the Muslim Community in many city functions. He has since been a guest at various national functions to share his experiences in community building.
Shaykh Omar most recently founded the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research which is a think tank that focuses on instilling conviction based on Islamic texts, and producing contribution. He also founded M.U.H.S.E.N (Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs), a nonprofit umbrella organization serving the community to establish a more inclusive “Special Friendly” environment for our Brothers & Sisters of all Disabilities.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 4, 2015 • 5min
People Of Quran - EP 18
A powerful message conveying video about dealing with hardship and calamities from verse 76 of Surah Muminun. It is the story of Wahb Ibn Munabbeh Raheemallahu Ta’ala, a great scholar who was imprisoned and how he chose to respond to this trial of Allah SWT.
Jul 4, 2015 • 5min
People Of Quran - EP 17
An interesting episode about an intellectual conversation between a student, Abdullah Ibn Haarith Raheemallahu Ta’ala and a teacher, Ka’ab Ibn Ahdhar Raheemallahu Ta’ala which is narrated by the student himself. When the tafseer of Surah Ambiya was being done in the halaqa and came to verse no. 20, Abdullah raised a thought provoking question, “How can angels engage in constant tasbeeh while they are doing multiple actions like recording deeds etc?". Get the answer through this video.
Jul 2, 2015 • 7min
People Of Quran - EP 16
This episode is about a verse numbered 88 from Surah Maryam, where Allah SWT informs us about the conditions of sky, earth and mountains when disbelievers associate son with Allah. A smart debate between one of the knowledgeable scholars of Islam, Al Qari Abu Bakr Al Baqillani Rahemallahu Ta’ala from Baghdad and a Christian priest about not associating partners with Allah SWT.
Jul 1, 2015 • 4min
People Of Quran - EP 15
This episode is about a story of tyrant ruler, Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf, who would kill people very easily and the Quranic literacy of a woman which was so powerful that she could save her son from the tyrant.
Jul 1, 2015 • 6min
People Of Quran - EP 14
This episode is about a verse from Surah Nahl, juzz 14, explaining how we can inspire ourselves and what lessons can be learnt when Allah SWT says Ibraheem AS was an ummah by himself. An intellectual conversation between Abdullah Ibn Masood RA and one of his student.
Jun 30, 2015 • 8min
People Of Quran - EP 13 Yusuf To Salahuddin
This episode is about the legacy of the verse from Surah Yusuf numbered 92, spoken by Yusuf AS to forgive his brothers upon plotting to kill him, continued by Prophet SAW on the victory of Mekkah after suffering oppression for 20+ years and 500 years later by Salahuddin Rahemallahu Ta’ala upon conquering of Jerusalem. A powerful story on victory of forbearance.
Jun 28, 2015 • 5min
People Of Quran - EP 12 What Makes You Happy
This episode talks about verse no.58 from Surat Yunus, tenth juzz, where Allah SWT says the rejoice we experience in Allah and his messenger SAW must be far above and greater than the happiness experienced upon any worldly possession. A story about humbleness of a prominent ruler, Umar Ibn Khattab RA.
Jun 27, 2015 • 5min
People Of Quran - EP 11 He's Going To Hell
This episode talks about verse no.101 from Surat At-Tawbah, ninth juzz, where Allah SWT says to Prophet SAW regarding the fate of people on the day of judgement, “You, do not know them, but We know them". A narration by Khataa’da Rahemallahu Ta’ala which give emphasis not to judge others’ fate that he/she would be in hellfire/paradise.
Jun 26, 2015 • 5min
People Of Quran - EP 10 Angels Of Badr
This episode talks about verse no.12 and 48 from Surah Al-Anfal, explaining how Allah SWT favored the believers on the day of badr. A story narrated by Sa’ad Ibn Rabeeah RA to his students explaining about the ascending of angels and exit of shaytaan from the battlefield.
Jun 25, 2015 • 7min
People Of Quran - EP 09 Speak Up
This episode talks about verse no. 163 from Surah Araf, explaining the destruction of the people of town when they disobeyed Allah SWT. A small story between a teacher, Abdullah Ibn Abbas RA and his student khataa’da narrating the incident of Sabbath.
