[View the story "Preaching against poverty" on Storify ]Preaching against poverty US Muslim scholars take on community consciousness. Storified by The Stream · Thu, Sep 27 2012 11:40:49
Major Muslim leaders, scholars,and activists will come together on September 29, 2012 in a United forChange event.
The conference, entitled "UnitedAgainst Poverty", will cover whatMuslim Americans should do as advocates for the poor and disenfranchised.
United Against PovertyAJstream
The programme offers avariety of seminars during the day, including a discussion on Muslim women's shelters in the US, the physical and spiritualmeanings of poverty, and the wisdom of charity, one of the pillars of Islam.
One session, "We are the 1%", will examine the Occupy Movement inrelation to current global realities. United for Change posted this video on their website.
United for Change Presents: United Against Povertyunitedforchangetv
Zaid Shakir is a Muslim scholar who converted to Islam in 1977 while serving in the US Air Force. He has traveled around the world speaking on Islam and contemporary issues.
Shakir is Co-Founder and Chairman of United for Change. He calls on US Muslims to cometogether, arguing, “We feel this is a most timely topic as our country is experiencing thegreatest degree of economic polarization and marginalization in itshistory".
Imam Zaid Shakir - United For Change 2012 - United Against Poverty Conferenceunitedforchangetv
Hamza Yusuf is another American convert to Islam, and is also known worldwide. He hasspoken at length about poverty, particularly about the problems ofconsumerism and greed.
Poverty and Prosperity by Sheikh Hamza Y...verse2verse
Sermons and lectures by Yusuf and Shakir are shared widely online. Below, netizens on Twitter share their favourite quotes from Yusuf and Shakir.
Perhaps a sin that humbles you is better than a good deed that makes you arrogant.― Hamza YusufJonathan Carroll
"Now is a time for patience, and deliberation, and deliberateness in our actions, thoughtfulness in our words." - Imam Zaid ShakirNatasha J. Said
You cannot honour the Prophet ﷺ by dishonouring his teachings. #HamzaYusufNu'sNotebook.
"Only when you restrain your anger, you can bring your intellect on the floor" - Imam Zaid Shakirfadhil fadaroz
When u die, u lose ur racial identity, but u don't lose ur religious identity. There were Libyans who died protecting Americans #HamzaYusufUrz Heer
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf is my Rolemodel.What a wise& well-versed scholar!Studying with him/under him.Would be the greatest if honours @hamzayusufFazlin Fransman
Last tweet was some #realtalk by Sh. Hamza Yusuf,who is 1 of the greatest Islamic theologians of the west & I luv him http://pic.twitter.com/VLYuKNWlKhan
Yusuf and Shakir are co-founders of ZaytunaCollege , "a non-profit, educational institute andschool founded and run by people committed to reviving time testedmethods of educating and transforming human beings".
Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President of the Islamic Society of North America , says that “For ten years, Zaytuna has played a key role in helping the Muslim American community rediscover much of the beauty and wisdom of traditional Islam. We look forward to the growth and expansion of Zaytuna’s services so it can further explore and implement, in partnership with other Muslims, the best of this classical heritage in a complex, pluralistic society”.
Zaytuna CollegeAJstream
Yusuf and Shakir have authored and edited many books. Some are translations and commentaries by historical Muslim figures, while others cover Islam in the United States.
A Flickr user shared this image of Hamza Yusuf's "Purification of the Heart".
Via Flickr User AnjumAJstream
Via NewIslamicDirections.comAJstream
Where I'm Coming FromAJstream
