Author

Aqueelah Nafeesa Rasheed

A graduate of Duke University, Aqueelah Nafeesa Rasheed is a wife, mother, mathematician, early childhood educator and Healthy Marriage and Family Advocate, utilizing her G-d given passion and purpose as an author, motivational speaker, and future marriage & family counselor. It is her ardent desire to contribute to the preservation and protection of community life by addressing issues that affect the longevity of healthy, happy, loving, peaceful and productive Muslim marriages, families and communities. Mrs. Rasheed uses the “unadulterated” guidance of G-d in the Qur'an, authentic life example of Muhammad the Prophet and the commentary of Imam W. Mohammed as the basis for her critique, analysis, and solution-oriented recommendations.

Mrs. Rasheed has a long-standing affinity for writing and the preservation of marriage, family and community life. She began writing and speaking about marriage and family at the ripe age of 13, penning a paper entitled “Broken Homes.” After getting married in 2001, Aqueelah continued reading, writing, studying and conversing about the “common tests and challenges” of marriage and family life and eventually started a blog called “Writing 4 Peace” in 2009 about Marriage, Motherhood, and Michelle Obama. In December 2015, Aqueelah was an invited guest speaker at the 33rd Annual Seerah Conference at Masjid Malcolm Shabazz, Harlem, NY. The topic that she selected for her presentation was "Muhammad the Prophet as a Family Man: Husband, Father, Provider - Sensitive, Loving, Protector." After hearing a replay of Aqueelah's presentation on the radio, Muslim pioneer Sis. Gloria Muhammad, commented, "It is clear and enlightening. Insha’Allah it will help elevate our understanding of and behavior in our rebirth of family life.”

As a follow-up, on her 40th birthday, December 4, 2016, Aqueelah self-published and released her debut book entitled – “MUSLIM MARRIAGE MAKEOVER: Modeling Muhammad the Prophet to Make Waves in Your Marriage with the R.I.P.P.L.E. Effect” (Respect, Intimacy, Partnership, Peace, Love, & Equality). She utilizes the (6) principles of “The R.I.P.PL.E. Effect” to address “common marital tests and challenges” and what Imam Mohammed referred to “Unenlightened Traditions” when it comes to the treatment of women as well as misogynistic and patriarchal translations of scripture. Within MUSLIM MARRIAGE MAKEOVER (MMM), Aqueelah presents a faith-based, solution-oriented message that addresses the following:

• Respect for G-d & Respect for Marriage as a Sacred Institution

• Mutual Respect & Intimacy Between Husband and Wife 

• Husbands and Fathers as Consistent Loving, Emotional, Spiritual and Financial Providers & Protectors for Women and Children as well as the Importance of Their Consistent & Active Presence in the Lives of Their Families 

• Female Liberation, “Freedom & Flexibility,” and Consistent Support Systems for Wives & Mothers 

• Shared Household and Parenting Responsibilities 

• The Mutual Need for Self-Care & Work-Life Balance 

A native of Memphis, TN, Aqueelah has been married for 18 years and currently resides in Durham, NC with her beloved husband Luqman Rasheed, II and their 3 beautiful children Sajdah, Luqman III, and Adam-Deen ages 16, 13 and 6 respectively. To learn more about Aqueelah and “MUSLIM MARRIAGE MAKEOVER,” and to view upcoming events where she will present, please visit her website, www.writing4peace.com.

Karim Shabazz

Karim Shabazz has been a student of Imam WD Mohammed since October 18, 1978. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, his knowledge quest began at the age of 14 in 1973 as a Five-Percenter (5% er), and on October 18, 1978, he graduated from the Five-Percent ideology with humility and honors, and entered Al-Islam proper, as a student of Imam WD Mohammed.

Bro. Karim Shabazz is an author and highly decorated retired U.S. Navy veteran. His extensive military career afforded him the opportunity to travel and sojourn throughout several cities within the United States, and abroad to such countries as Spain, France, Portugal, Philippines, Japan, as well as Israel. While stationed in Japan, he served as Imam/Islamic spokesperson on the Yokosuka Naval Base (1989-1993). During his tenure in the Navy, he promoted interfaith programs, conducted Jumah services, and spearheaded Islamic Study classes for servicemen on various military bases. He is an accomplished author of three books to date, all of which are available on Amazon.com as paperback, kindle, and/or audiobook platform. His book titles are (1) “Then which of the favors of your Lord will you deny?”, (which includes an introduction written by Imam Qasim Ahmed) (raa) (2) “Jesus and Muhammad 2 Rays of the Same Light”, and (3) “From Arafat To America”.

His book entitled, “Jesus and Muhammad 2 Rays of The Same Light”, was recently reviewed by an acclaimed book blogger in India!!

https://www.bookscharming.com/2021/06/jesus-and-muhammad-by-karim-shabazz.html

Additionally, Bro Karim Shabazz is a retired Certified Veteran Service Representative from the Department of Veteran Affairs. Currently, he is a contributing writer to the Muslim Journal for MAVA (Muslim American Veterans Association), in which he provides pertinent information about disability claims and VA benefits.

Muhammad Fraser-Rahim

Muhammad Fraser-Rahim is an expert on Africa and violent extremism issues at the U.S. Institue of Peace and a Senior Fellow at the Truman National Security Project and the Center for Global Policy in Washington, DC. Mr. Fraser-Rahim's areas of expertise are on transnational terrorist movements,Islamic intellectual history, Islam in America and contemporary theology in the Muslim world.   In addition, Mr. Fraser-Rahim worked for the United States Government for more than a decade providing strategic advice and executive branch analytical support on countering violent extremism issues to the White House and the National Security Council. Mr. Fraser-Rahim has conducted original research in more than 40 countries on the African continent, and has worked and studied throughout the Middle East. He completed advanced level Arabic language certificates at various higher education institutions in the US and the Middle East, and studied  Quranic exegesis and Islamic spiritual teachings under the tutelage of the late Imam WD Mohammed. He is a Ph.D. candidate at Howard University in African Studies with a focus on Islamic Thought, Spirituality and Modernity. His dissertation is titled Imam W.D. Mohammed (1933-2008): The Making of American Islam and the Emergence of Western Islamic Thought to Counter Violent Extremism where he looks at the intersection of religious pluralism in minority communities in the West and Islamic rev Muslim communities  and holds a master’s degree from Howard University in History, and a bachelor’s degree in History from the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC.

Precious Rasheeda Muhammad

Precious Rasheeda Muhammad, a.k.a. “The History Detective,” is an independent scholar, author, lecturer, and researcher widely recognized for her original research contributions to the study of Islam in America, including her discovery of a forgotten 224- page autobiography of an African of Muslim heritage who served in the American Civil War; her “Presidential Engagement with Muslim Communities” exhibit for the U.S. Department of State; and her “Muslims and the Making of America” special report published by the Muslim Public Affairs Council and widely-distributed to hundreds of policymakers and change-makers in Washington, D.C., including members of Congress and White House officials. Though a lot of Precious’s contributions have been behind the scenes, consulting and advising, her public contributions can be found in academic journals, newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias, exhibits, award-winning books; on CNN.Com and NPR; at the Smithsonian; and more. One of her current projects includes co-authoring a textbook on the history of Islam in America with a college professor. Precious also brings decades of commitment to interfaith work, including chaplaincy work at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a 770-bed hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, and significant roles in planning and implementing the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions program held in Melbourne, Australia. Her personal and professional motto is“Building community through History.” For her community-building work, in the academic community and beyond, Coe College awarded Precious an honorary doctorate in 2010. For those contributions and helping change the way that Harvard looks at Islam, as an area of study, Precious earned the special honor of becoming a Harvard Divinity School Bicentennial Peter J. Gomes STB '68 Honoree in 2017. These words of one of her heroes, Imam W.D. Mohammed, is an inspiration for her life’s work: “The highest purpose for human life and existence is community life.” More info on her work can be found here: preciousspeaks.com.

Renay Intisar Jihad

Renay Intisar Jihad, B.A., M.Ed., C.A.G.S. is a retired teacher of English language arts, literacy coach, and Reading Specialist. She spent three decades in the teaching profession and now shares what she’s learned and practiced by publishing juvenile fiction, short stories, poetry, and news articles inspired by the teachings of Imam Warith Deen Mohammad. Renay contributes to the Muslim Journal, AF AM Point of View newspaper, Medium.com, and PoetryVibe.com. She currently works as a part-time test administrator for Pearson VUE, serves on the board and volunteers at the Pan-African Historical Museum (PAHMUSA), presents workshops based on her book, You Are All That and More (a journal book with prompts and inspirational quotes based on the lives of famous Black Americans), and donates to local charities. Renay is married, has four sons and eleven grandchildren. Her original product, Intisar’s Instant Navy Bean Pie Mix, hits the market in March 2022. 

Website: RenaySpace.com 

Facebook: Our Muslim community 

Buy Books: Amazon.com

Wholesale Prices: Email - wordsmakeus@gmail.com. 

Attention Reading, Special Education, and English language arts teachers: Sister Clara Muhammad schools in need of free instructional materials should fill out the request form at RenaySpace.com. Low shipping and handling costs will apply. 

Shahidah Salaam

Shahidah Salaam is a Wife, Mother, Author and Community Activist striving for moral excellence in the cause for Allah (swt). She is originally from San Diego, CA but now a resident of Kansas City, Mo. She is involved in the Muslim community as well as the interfaith community as she attends Al-Inshirah Islamic Center. She has had the privilege to serve on various boards and was named the Co-Chair of the Annual Table of Faiths luncheon in 2012, a large annual gathering of the who's who of the Interfaith Community in Kansas City, Mo. She has been a philanthropist since a youth raising over $200,000 for a non-profit youth program and earning her the award of Philanthropist of the year in 1998 (along with the Elementary Institute of Science Youth board) in San Diego, CA.

Her work includes spreading the religion of Al-Islam through action. She had the ultimate experience of making the 5th pillar of Al Islam, Hajj, in October 2012. Since completing Hajj, she was inspired to write a book for women called Hajjah Hajjah: A Sister’s guide to completing the Hajj and Umrah, which can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles. Her plan is to attend Umrah with hajj pros in 2019 to finish her upcoming title, “Pathways to Finding your Purpose: The After effects of Hajj, The Journey begins now”. Her community efforts include being the Co-founder of the Great Scarf Exchange for women. She received the 2012 Young Adult Leadership Award at the Muslim Journal “A time to be Grateful” Conference and has since given back to the conference by helping to coordinate and provide complimentary graphic design services.

As a community activist Shahidah is humbled by the blessings that she has received and is always looking for ways to give back by addressing the needs of the community. In the summer of 2012 she became an advocate for underprivileged children by organizing a Summer Lunch program that they can attend for free at Al-Inshirah Islamic Center, where they offer free lunch and activities. Sponsored by Islamic Relief USA she was able to obtain a grant to offset costs and provide free activities for participants from the inner and outer Islamic community. She is the Coordinator for the annual “Day of Dignity” Community outreach event which offers Inner city residents free supplies, hygiene kits, hot meals, community resources and services and fresh food items to over 700 people from the inner city.  With the help of the UMKC Muslim Student Union and Ar-Razaaq Food Pantry come together to host the annual Back2School Supply giveaway and Qur’bani Drives during the Month of Ramadan. In her spare time Shahidah, loves to provide event planning and graphic design services where she owns her own full service party planning services called Life of the Party KC.

Jamillah Karim

Jamillah Karim is an award-winning author, speaker, and blogger. She specializes in race, gender, and Islam in America. 

Jamillah is author of Women of the Nation: Between Black Protest and Sunni Islam (with Dawn-Marie Gibson) and American Muslim Women: Negotiating Race, Class, and Gender Within the Ummah, which was awarded the 2008 Book Award in Social Sciences by the Association for Asian American Studies. 

Jamillah blogs for Sapelo Square, Hagar Lives, Race+Gender+Faith, NYU Press Blog, and Huffington Post Religion. She regularly speaks at college campuses and Muslim conferences across the nation. In 2014, her scholarly activism was recognized by JET magazine, which featured her as a young faith leader in the African American community.

Jamillah is a former associate professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Spelman College. She holds a BSE in electrical engineering and a PhD in Islamic Studies from Duke University.

Ismael Saleem

Ismael Saleem was born Ishmael Campbell in Norfolk, VA. He changed his name about 8 years ago in an effort to represent Al-Islam and African Americans more fully. He attended Norfolk State University for Electrical Engineering. Ismael Saleem was born and raised Muslim in the community of IWDM. He is privileged to be one among 10 of the first believers ever to graduate from the 2-year Islamic Leadership Training and Development Program. Ismael Saleem is the author of several publications including “Islam is the Truth,” “God the Irresistible,” “The Unadulterated Truth about the Palestine and Israel Conflict” and “Jesus Was Not Crucified.” He has been fortunate enough to have made Umrah twice. He has also traveled to West Africa to do research on manuscripts from Sankore University in Timbuktu and Djenne, the largest mud-built mosque on earth. Ismael Saleem has been Imam of the William Salaam Masjid in Norfolk, VA for 2 years. He is heavily involved in community work in Norfolk to establish businesses and help those in need. Ismael is a husband and father of 3 sons.