The second weekend of October concluded our first diploma. Sh. Omar Sulayman taught the final course for this year, Religions and Sects. It was an amazing seminar, alhamdulillah. Sh. Omar Sulayman shared his knowledge of world religions with such entertaining delivery, mashaallah. For those of you who are not familiar with the Sheikh, here's a brief biography of his studies and achievements:
Sh. Omar Sulayman
- Sheikh Omar Suleiman is the current Imam of Masjid Abu Bakr As-Siddique in New Orleans, LA and a sitting member of the ICNA Shariah Council.
- He was born and raised in the United States, he embarked on his journey to study traditional Islamic sciences in 2000 in the United Arab Emirates primarily under the instruction of Sheikh Tariq Ibn Rajah and other scholars from Umm Al Qura such as Sheikh Amr Al Shishany and Sheikh Saleem Ziad for 3 years.
- He has also greatly benefitted from the wisdom and teachings of his father, Dr Ahmad Suleiman, and various scholars such as Dr Salah As-Sawy, Dr Hatem Al Haj, and his wife’s father, Imam Husam Mubarak. May Allah preserve them all.
- Afterwards, he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Jurisprudence, Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and is currently pursuing his Masters degree in Islamic Studies from the University of Wales.
- He is a frequent lecturer and keynote speaker at national conferences and conventions on a variety of subjects.
- He is also a speaker for the Citizen Dialogue program of the US State Department which trains foreign diplomats and audiences in the study of Islam.
- He has served as ICNA Relief’s Outreach Director in Louisiana since 2005 and is very active in engaging non Muslim audiences through university events and several church invitations.
- In 2008, he helped found the East Jefferson Interfaith Clergy Association of which he currently sits on the steering committee.
All of us in the Houston team truly appreciate your involvement in this great organization and your continued support. We look forward to another successful year and inshallah, many more to come. Please don't hesitate to ask questions or give feedback. As Muslims, we are in a constant state of self-improvement. May Allah guide us all to that which is pleasing to Him.
