Shaykh Faraz Rabbani has just announced (via the ever-popular Facebook status) that his new venture is SeekersMedia. After recently leaving Sunnipath, questions about where Shaykh Faraz would surface were rampant on our minds. Now we know.

What is SeekersMedia?
SeekersMedia is an online media portal for Islamic and inspiration, through downloadable media. There will be educational media, quality Qur’anic media (with translation and commentary), and inspiring Islamic songs available, insha’Allah. We will also offer some courses, such as the current courses on Islamic law (Mukhtar Dars) and beliefs (Kharida Dars)
We also have plans to give high priority to an Islamic Answers Service (SeekersAnswers.com) which will be forthcoming, insha Allah.

Source: http://seekersmedia.com/shop/index.php?main_page=page&id=26

More info can be found on their FAQ page. Their structure is very similar to the Zaytuna Distance Learning program (which the faqir manages, alhamdulillah): Register, login, access your weekly course file, additional files uploaded throughout the remainder of the course.

Shaykh Faraz informed us that this is just the beginning and that there are bigger things planned.

There are two current courses available:

• Understanding Islamic Law: Mawsuli’s Mukhtar Explained (Part I: Worship)
• Understanding the Way of Islamic Beliefs: Imam Dardir’s Kharida Explained with Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz also teaches at The Razi Institute in Toronto.

It is with great honor to announce that Shaykh Abdul-Kareem Yahya is visiting the San Francisco Bay Area during the months of May and June, 2008. He will be teaching and lecturing at various venues during his visit.

Shaykh Abdul-Kareem will be teaching about the Seerah of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) at the Hayward Halaqah gatherings.

• Session 1: From birth to prophethood
• Session 2: Makkah
• Session 3: Madinah

Shaykh Abdul-Kareem will also be teaching from “The Book of Assistance” at the Zawiya in Fremont on Sunday evenings after Maghrib.

His first public lecture will be conducted on Sunday, May 25 at Masjid Abu Bakr in Hayward from 5pm  - 7pm. Here is a link to the Facebook events page.We will continue to provide updates as we finalize the details.

IslamCrunch is honored to be working with the Hayward Halaqah team and the Zawiya Outreach Program.

Special LIVE Webcast Event. Limited spaces available. Register now!

ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
by IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sunday, 11 May 2008
1:00 pm PST / 4:00 pm EST / 9:00 pm UK

About this session:
* How to be just and fair when others are not
* How divine grace influences positive change
* Showing kindness and decency when others do not

Register here: http://www.newislamicdirections.com/nid/Registration/

Join IMAM ZAID SHAKIR every month for a live online session. Visit www.NewIslamicDirections.com for further information.

Webcast ad designed by our own IslamCrunch team member, Su Pittam.

Registration for the Zaytuna Distance Learning Program Spring 2008 Quarter is now live. Please visit: http://www.zikrcast.com/Distance_Learning/index.php

GETTING BACK TO BASICS: ISLAM 101 (NEW!)
by Imam Zaid Shakir
A course explaining the basics of Islamic belief and worship with a concentration on the elements and issues that are essential for the sound and practical practice of Islam in our time. Appropriate and beneficial for not only the new Muslim, but for any Muslim living in the West, this course will cover “the Five Pillars,” “the Articles of Faith,” aqidah, basic fiqh, and critical issues such as appropriate gender relations and how to defend oneself against the attacks currently being levied against Muslims.
(Registration: Audio - $40 / Video - $60)

THE PROPHETIC CHARACTERICS PART III (NEW!)
by Ustadh Yahya Rhodus
A study of the inward and outward characteristics of the Prophet, upon him be peace, from his practices and personal effects to his noble attributes, taking from the text of the late scholar Shaykh Yusuf al-Nabahani, Wasa’il al-Wusul ila Shama’il al-Rasul (“The Means of Arrival to the Characteristics of the Messenger”). Studying the characteristics of the Messenger of Allah, upon him be peace, fills one’s heart with love for him and inspires one to follow his great example.
(Registration: Audio - $40)

Also available: THE PROPHETIC CHARACTERISTICS PART I & PART II

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The Zaytuna Distance Learning Spring Semester will be launching soon. One of the new courses is “Getting Back to Basics: Islam 101″with Imam Zaid Shakir.

Course description:

A course explaining the basics of Islamic belief and worship with a concentration on the elements and issues that are essential for the sound and practical practice of Islam in our time.  Appropriate and beneficial for not only the new Muslim, but for any Muslim living in the West, this course will cover “the Five Pillars,” “the Articles of Faith,” aqidah, basic fiqh, and critical issues such as appropriate gender relations and how to defend oneself against the attacks currently being levied against Muslims.

Originally taught in Zaytuna during the Winter 2007 quarter, the Zaytuna team has released this course as part of the Spring 2008 quarter. Another new course is “The Prophetic Characteristics: Part III” taught by Sidi Yahya Rhodus.

Visit http://www.zaytuna.org/distancelearning.asp for more details. Video clips will be added to the Zaytuna Facebook Page.

Please share this post with your friends and family. Please encourage them to register for classes. Here is a testimonial from our brother & fellow activist:

“For years I have searched for an affordable distance learning program to quench my thirst for Islamic Knowledge. Finally, with the advent of Zaytuna Institute’s Distance Learning program, I have been blessed with the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable teachers who are inspirational individuals in their own right. I look forward to being a student of Zaytuna Distance Learning program for years to come inshAllah”

- Adam Soltani

Due to the *very* personal relationship with the Distance Learning Program Manager at Zaytuna, we have the exclusive honor of posting this announcement first.