Hamid Slimi

Imam Hamid Slimi

Dr. Hamid Slimi is the Imam, Resident Scholar and Founder of Sayeda Khadija Centre. He has been serving as an Imam, Chaplain, Educator and Consultant in Canada for 18 years in different religious and educational institutions. He is also the Founder and President of Faith of Life Network, the Founder and Chairman of the Canadian Centre for Deen Studies, the former Chairman of the Canadian Council of Imams (2006-2013) and a lecturer at the Islamic Institute of Toronto. Dr. Slimi has been a Consultant on National and International issues related to religion and spirituality, Islam and Islamic Law, religious and interfaith dialogue and Social issues. He serves as a Board member of different Interfaith and Community bodies/groups. He has also been the TV Host & Producer of Faith of Life TV Shows and documentaries. In the last couple of years he has been heavily involved with different philanthropic groups that raise funds for local hospitals in Canada like the Muslim Friends of Osler, promoting the support of local Charitable work focusing specifically on raising funds for William Osler Hospitals and Medical Centres in Ontario, Canada. He has also helped raised funds for many other local projects especially for hospitals (Mississauga Credit Valley Hospital - Brampton Civic Hospital…etc.,), shelters and food banks..

Slimi's work and contributions extend beyond the Muslim community as he carries a humanistic and universal approach in his message whether on TV[1] or on the pulpit. One of the writings is his book "Terrorism: An Islamic Perspective" which he wrote before the events of Sept 11, 2001. The book elucidates the phenomenon of terrorism from a traditional perspective by examining the authoritative texts in the Islamic law. In 2009, Slimi was featured by Georgetown University as one of the 500 Most influential Muslims in the World.

Dr. Slimi's traditional and academic speciality is in Islamic studies and Law as well as Comparative World Religions. In addition to the traditional degrees known as Ijazah, he holds two Masters degrees with High Honors in both disciplines from Morocco and the US and a PhD in Islamic Law from the U.K. He received both his traditional and academic learning in Morocco and attended other renowned institutions and universities in other parts of the world.

His messages emphasize love and respect among Muslims and among the human family. He stresses that none of us humans is perfect but we should all strive for excellence and do the best we can because God looks at the efforts not the results. Together we can overcome insanity and fulfill the will of God Almighty by being the best humans we can. One of Dr. Slimi's sayings is: "You cannot be a good Muslim until you become a good human being and you cannot become a good human being until you understand what humanity is all about..." He defines a good human being as "one who shows respect and concern for others regardless of their various backgrounds. Someone who is seen by every human as a good person." With his background in Comparative World Religions, the Imam continuously highlights that Islam shares with other faiths many principles of respect and dignity. The latter are the minimum that is required to establish good relations among people at different levels and contexts. Once we lose respect we lose every relationship but once we establish respect then we lay the foundation for good communication between the human brethren then gradually we build trust, which grows to a level where love becomes the theme of our relationships.
According to him, Islam as a faith is misunderstood for two reasons: the irresponsible actions of some Muslims and the general ignorance of its core teachings. The Qur'an and Hadith (sayings of Muhammad) teach that the prophets and messengers of God whom we know like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad and whom we do not know - came in different times and contexts with the same message and mission: (1) To bring people closer to their Creator and (2) To bring people closer to one another at all levels (family, society, nation, humanity...)

Books, Works & Publications

The Islamic Jurisprudential Rules of Mitigation and Alleviation (Arabic & French, 1993)
Al-Dawaran fi al-Ahkam al-Shar'iyyah (Arabic, 1994)
An Easy Guide to Hajj & Umrah (English, 2000)
Terrorism: An Islamic Perspective (English, 2000)
Hajj: Meanings & Rulings (English, 2003)
Qur'anic Supplications (Arabic & English, 2006)
Concept of Life in Islam (English, 2009)
Your Guide to Learning and teaching the Arabic Language (English & Arabic, 2010)
Fundamentals of Islamic Jurisprudence (English - Under work)

Videos: (Shows & Documentaries)

10 Short films on Marriage: marriagesuccess.ca[2]

300 TV Shows (English) (Visit: www.faithoflife.net)
450 Friday Sermons DVDs (English)
Hajj & Umrah: Meanings & Rulings (English, 2005)
The Hajj Experience (English, 2007)
Muhammad: The Prophet of Humanity (English, 2007)
Islam is built on 5 Pillars (8 DVD set in English, 2007)
Islam for Common Sense (2 DVD set in English, 2008)
Hajj: A Lifetime Experience (HD in English, 2009)
Marriage Success (HD in English, 2012)
How to Avoid Extremism (HD in English, 2014)
Muslim Messengers of Peace (HD, English, 2014)
The Legacy of Peacemaking (HD, English, 2015)
The Quest for Common Grounds (HD in English, Under Work)
Parenting Series (HD in English, Under Work)
Love Matters (HD in English, Under Work)

"Bridge-builder"

Slimi was considered as a candidate to play a role in Canadian former Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr's rehabilitation, after he returns to Canada.[3] Khadr's attorney, Lieutenant Commander William C. Kuebler, suggested Slimi draft a "religious rehabilitation" program, to prepare for Khadr's return.

Kuebler describes Slimi as a "bridge-builder". In 2008, Slimi became "the first Muslim to address Toronto's Neighbourhood Interfaith Group".[3]

External links

Articles:

Videos:

References

  1. ↑ http://www.faithoflife.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=13&Itemid=26
  2. ↑ Marriagesuccess.ca
  3. 1 2 Daniel Dale (June 21, 2008). "Imam ready to work with Khadr". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2008-06-21. mirror
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