Feisal Abdul Rauf
Feisal Abdul Rauf
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Feisal Abdul Rauf is an American Muslim cleric and activist who is also known as Feisal Abd al-Rauf.
Birth and Death Dates
Feisal Abdul Rauf was born on October 8, 1948. He is still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Rauf's nationality is American, and he has worked as a Muslim cleric, community leader, and activist.
Early Life and Background
Born in Kuwait to an Egyptian father and a Sudanese mother, Feisal Abdul Rauf spent his early years traveling extensively throughout the Middle East. His family eventually settled in Egypt, where Rauf's father was involved in the country's burgeoning oil industry. After moving to Saudi Arabia for a brief period, Rauf's family finally settled in New York City when he was around 10 years old.
Rauf's early life was marked by exposure to various cultures and faiths, which would later shape his approach to interfaith dialogue and community building. He studied at the University of Cairo before moving back to the United States to attend Columbia University, where he earned a degree in architecture. Rauf went on to earn an MBA from the New York Institute of Finance.
Major Accomplishments
Feisal Abdul Rauf's career has been marked by numerous accomplishments, particularly in his role as imam of Masjid al-Farah, a prominent mosque in Lower Manhattan. During his tenure, which spanned over 20 years, Rauf established himself as a leader in interfaith dialogue and community outreach.
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Rauf became a key figure in promoting understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims. He worked closely with city officials to develop initiatives aimed at fostering greater communication and cooperation between different faith communities.
Notable Works or Actions
Rauf has been involved in various notable projects throughout his career. One of the most significant was his leadership role in the development of a $100 million Islamic community center, known as Park51, which would have been built near Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan. The project sparked intense debate and controversy, with some critics labeling it an "insult" to the victims of 9/11.
Rauf has also written extensively on issues related to Islam and interfaith dialogue. His books include _What's Right with Islam is What's Right with America_ and _Moving the Crown: From Bling to Belonging_. He has also been a frequent contributor to various media outlets, including CNN and The New York Times.
Impact and Legacy
Feisal Abdul Rauf's impact on American society cannot be overstated. Through his tireless efforts in promoting interfaith understanding and community building, he has helped to foster greater tolerance and empathy between different faith communities. His leadership during the Park51 controversy demonstrated his unwavering commitment to finding common ground and working towards a more inclusive future.
Rauf's legacy extends beyond his work as an imam or activist. He has inspired countless individuals to engage in interfaith dialogue and community service, leaving behind a lasting impact on American society.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Feisal Abdul Rauf is widely quoted and remembered for his groundbreaking work in promoting interfaith understanding and community building. His unwavering commitment to fostering greater tolerance and empathy between different faith communities has made him an indispensable voice in contemporary American society.
Through his writing, speaking engagements, and leadership roles, Rauf continues to inspire new generations of leaders and activists to work towards a more inclusive future.
Quotes by Feisal Abdul Rauf
I’m not an agent from any government, even if some of you may not believe it. I’m not. I’m a peacemaker.
I have never made a threat. I’ve never made a threat, never expressed a threat, never – I’ve never – I would never threaten violence ever, because I am a man of peace, dedicated to peace.
What’s right with America and what’s right with Islam have a lot in common. At their highest levels, both worldviews reflect an enlightened recognition that all of humankind shares a common Creator – that we are, indeed, brothers and sisters.
We are Americans. We – we – we are – we are doctors. We are investment bankers. We are taxi drivers. We are store keepers. We are lawyers. We are – we are part of the fabric of America. And the way that America today treats its Muslims is being watched by over a billion Muslims worldwide.
I worked as a teacher in the public school system in New York City for several years, and I was a victim of the layoffs, you know, in the mid-’70s. And then I worked as a sales engineer for a company in New Jersey that was selling industrial filtration equipment.
The thing about the Islamic situation is we don’t have a church. We don’t have an ordained priesthood, which makes it a little complicated. But we do have a tradition of scholarship, and rules of scholarship. It’s very much like any field of knowledge.
Americans must outgrow the unbecoming arrogance that leads us to assert that America somehow owns a monopoly on goodness and truth – a belief that leads some to view the world as but a stage on which to play out the great historical drama: the United States of America versus the Powers of Evil.
I’ve spoken with friends who are rabbis and priests and we’ve agreed that most people have an emotional attachment to their faith, a desire to fulfill their spiritual longings, but they are not experts in understanding the history of their religion.
What’s brilliant about the United States system of government is separation of power. Not only the executive, legislative, judicial branches, but also the independence of the military from civilians, an independent media and press, an independent central bank.
There are always people who will – who will do peculiar things and think that they are doing things in the name of their religion.