Omar Suleiman

About

Imam, activist, civil rights leader, and writer who founded Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. He served as an adjunct professor of Islamic Studies and a member of the Ethics Center Advisory Board at Southern Methodist University. He visited Syrian refugee camps delivering aid with the Muslim humanitarian relief group Helping Hand for Relief and Development. He led airport demonstrations in Dallas in reaction to the Donald Trump Muslim travel ban. 

Before Fame

He earned Bachelor's degrees in accounting and Islamic law and Master's degrees in Islamic finance and political history. 

Trivia

In March 2017, ISIS called for his assassination in a propaganda film titled "Kill The Apostate Imams." He was recognized by CNN as one of 25 Muslim American change-makers. He served as the Resident Scholar of the Valley Ranch Islamic Center and the Co-chair Emeritus of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square.

Family Life

He was born to a Palestinian family in New Orleans. In 2007 he married. In 2019, he and his wife welcomed their third child named Khadijah. 

Associated With

In 2016, he led the invocation at a memorial service for slain police officers attended by Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, George W. Bush, and Laura Bush.