Virtues: The Hijra

AbdulKarim Yahya is Beacon Foundation (Michigan)’s Scholar-in-Residence Beacon foundation and an interpreter for Habib Umar bin Hafiz. Born and raised in Berkeley, California, AbdulKarim embraced Islam in the late 1980s. In the mid-1990s, AbdulKarim had traveled to the Middle East to seek Sacred Knowledge. His study pursuits have brought him to blessed places such as Damascus, Syria, and Tarim, Yemen. Under the tutelage of Habib Umar bin Hafiz and the teachers of Dar al-Mustafa, AbdulKarim has primarily been trained in Prophetic biography, the sciences of Islamic spirituality, and law (fiqh) according to the Shafi’i school of thought. He has been permitted to teach these disciplines, among others, as well as answer questions in Sacred Law.

Liverpool born and raised, Shaykh Ibrahim Osi Efa is the founder of a number of Islamic initiatives which includes Greensville Trust, Badr Language Institute, and Starlatch Press. He currently holds a teaching post within Greensville Trusts Micro Madrasa Initiative where he teaches biography of the prophet (pbuh), jurisprudence, spirituality, and theology to students of knowledge in Huddersfield and Liverpool.

Prior to this, Shaykh Ibrahim spent several years studying classical disciplines at the hands of some of the holders of the tradition such as Murabital-Haj, al-Habib Umar b. Hafiz and Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi. After having spent three years in Syria and Mauritania, Ustadh Ibrahim went on to spend six years in Terim, Hadramaut where he studied under teachers such as al-Habib Kazim al-Saqqaf, al Habib Ali al-Jifri and al-Shaykh Umae Hussain al-Khatib.

Amir Sulaiman is a poet, recording artist, activist and Visiting Fellow at Harvard University. Born in Rochester, New York, his poems cross subjects of love, tragedy as well as what it means to reconcile humanity with the unprecedented trials of modernity. He has performed his works across the US as well as many other countries including England, Belgium, Senegal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Australia, Iran and the Netherlands, and continues to tour world-wide.

His recently published book of poetry, “Love, Gnosis & Other Suicide Attempts” met with critical acclaim, in addition to his latest album “The Opening,” the third in a unique trilogy project, following “The Meccan Openings” (2011) and “The Medinan Openings” (2012). Amir was first introduced to a National audience in 2005 when he was featured for two seasons on Russell Simmons’ ground breaking series Def Poetry Jam on HBO. Amir Sulaiman is also the artistic leadership behind the production company True + Living. More information about Amir Sulaiman and his work can be found on his site www.amirsulaiman.com.

Nader Khan is a Canadian Muslim singer/songwriter, and social activist. Over the last 17 years, he has toured and performed across Canada, USA, UK, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore in solo performances and on tours with other internationally renowned artists. Nader’s first album was released in North America in December of 2008, and in the UK and Australia in November 2009. Over the past 5 years, Nader has also spearheaded various social justice initiatives that promote local and international relief efforts through Islamic devotional music, arts, youth engagement, and inspiration. In 2013 Nader embarked on a daring new endeavour, bringing together service and devotion by channelling 100% of sales revenue from future albums into humanitarian causes. His second album, Water was released in May 2015 to widespread critical acclaim. 100% of the album sales of Water will be going to WaterAid Canada. Nader lives in Canada, in the west end of the Greater Toronto Area, with his wife and manager, Dr Bano Murtuja and 4 kids. More information about his albums, performances, and upcoming projects visit www.naderkhan.com.

A storyteller at heart. He became a filmmaker to give a voice to the voiceless and to tell stories that might otherwise go untold.

Mustafa Davis won some awards for films and his photography has been published in magazines, news publications, and exhibited in galleries and international exhibitions. His films have been showcased on PBS, POV, The Atlantic, WNET, Discovery, BBC, Amazon Prime, and many international channels and networks.

Mustafa teach a visual arts program in film and photography and offer career counseling for emerging visual artists.

Khāled Siddīq is one of the most recognized Muslim artists across the globe. A Youtuber, singer-songwriter and rapper, he combines an array of skills into his portfolio making him one of the most diverse and talented Muslims today. A proud Muslim of Jamaican, English and Irish heritage, he has performed across the world. He believes that providing others with ethical entertainment and dispelling stereotypes about his faith has always been his calling.