User:Faid Mohammed Said

Faid Mohammed Said was born and raised in Eritrea. He is an Islamic scholar, teacher, writer and author. Now living in the UK, he is known for teaching about the mercy of Prophet – peace and blessing be upon him -  co-existence, interfaith issues, and Islam in the West.

Biography

Early life

Faid Mohammed Said was born in Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea. He attended the Islamic Institute in Asmara and the School of the Arabic Community. When he reached the ninth grade, he continued his secondary education at a regular school. He was taught by Judge Shaykh Abdul Kader Hamid, Grand Judge of the Islamic court in Asmara. Under Shaykh Abdul Kader, Faid studied the Qur’an and its sciences, Arabic grammar and Maliki jurisprudence, specialising in inheritance law.

Education

In Asmara, Faid studied at the Islamic Institute and the School of the Arabic Community under Shaykh Mahmoud Muhammad Ali Bakhit, Shaykh Al-Ameen Osmam Al-Ameen (Grand Mufti of Eritrea) Shaykh Muhammad Osman Idris (Judge of the High Court of Appeal, Eritrea) and the ‘Great Shaykh’, Muhammad Idrisei.

In Madinah, Faid studied under Shaykh Muhammad Attiya Salem. Shaykh Attiya was a student of Imam Muhammad Al-Ameen Al-Shanqeeti, author of ‘The Spotlight’ and other works in the Shari’ah sciences. He also studied under Shaykh Muhammad Ayub, formerly Imam in the Mosque of the Prophet – on him peace and blessings – and the Shaykh Vaniyambadi Abdur Rahim, former University of Madinah professor and supervisor at the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Noble Qur’an. The Shaykh Vaniyambadi is known for missionary activity utilising his command of languages including Arabic, English, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu and Esperanto. The Shaykh Vaniyambadi also supervised two scientific theses written by Faid entitled, ‘The Expressed’ in the Qur’an by the Imam Al-Jawaliqi: Study and Verification, and Languages of Yemen in ‘Crowd’ by Ibn Duraid: Collection, Study and Verification.

Eminent scholars who also taught Faid in Madinah at this time included the Shaykh Muhammad Yacoub Turkestani, the Shaykh Awadh bin Muhammad Sahli, the Shaykh Aa’edh Al-Harthy and the Shaykh Abd al-Khaliq al-Zahrani; all formerly Deans of the Faculty of Arabic Language at the Islamic University of Madinah. Shaykh Ae’edh supervised the scientific thesis written by the graduate Faid entitled, Zuhddiat Abu Nawas: Collection, Study and Verification – a thesis that secured Faid the distinction ‘highest degree of excellence’ in his First-Class, BA Honours in Science of Arabic Language. He also received a Diploma in Computer Science from the Islamic University of Madinah, and a Diploma in Media from the Organization of Islamic Relief.

Philosophical beliefs

'''Faid Mohammed Said has helped advising and delivering lecture to many educational institutions, organizations and research centers world wide. Some of these orgnizations are United Nations United State - New York, The International Institute Of Advanced Islamic Studies – Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Radical Middle Way, United Kingdom – London. Simply Islam Academy –Singapore, Seekers Hub – Canada – Mississauga, University of Oxford, University of London – Royal Holloway, Middlesex University, The Salaam Centre, UK – London.'''

In his work ‘The Meaning of Mohammad and our Cultural Memory’, the author examines the Prophet’s attitude towards those of different faiths, arguing for peaceful coexistence. He cites examples of the Prophet’s encounters with those of other religions and emphasises the essential kindness and compassion of Islam. He also emphasises the fact that the teachings of Christianity and Judaism, the other Abrahamic religions, are not dissimilar to those of Islam.

Published works

Said, Faid Mohammad (2016), The Meaning of Muhammad and our Cultural Memory, ISBN: 9780992937317

His Holiness Pope Francis, about the Meaning of Muhammad and our cultural memory:

“Shaykh Faid Mohammed Said quotes from the many benevolent deeds and words of the Prophet towards everyone, including those of other religions, and demonstrates that the essential nature of Islam is kindness and compassion towards the whole of humanity.”

—His Holiness Pope Francis

Said, Faid Mohammad (2016), River of Light, ISBN-13: 978-1526203410

Academic career

Faid is committed to the dissemination of knowledge in the spirit of classical Islam. He has taught at various Islamic institutions in the United Kingdom including:

• Lecturer in King Fahad Academy in London, UK.

• Scholar of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language at the Qatari School, London, UK.

• Director of School of the Islamic Cultural Centre in London, UK.

• Chairman of the Board of Southwark Arabic School.

• Founder and Principal of ‘Al-Madinah’ College in London, UK.

• Scholar in Residence & Head of Education in Harrow Central Mosque, London, UK.

Faid has spoken widely on international Islamic community cohesion. Missionary excursions and conference participation include:

• Participated in the 2nd Annual Conference of the Assembly of Islamic solidarity, which was held in the Federal Republic of Germany in Frankfurt. He also participated in the 4th & 6th Annual Conferences of the Assembly of Islamic Solidarity.

• A number of lectures in the University of Oxford, University of London, Royal Holloway University and the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

• Invited by the Ministry of Islamic affairs in the Republic of the Maldives where he delivered a live televised lecture on national television and gave lectures in a number of universities and mosques.

• Invited by the Foundation of Writers and Journalists in Turkey where he delivered a live televised lecture.

• Participated in the UN conference on “The role of Interfaith Education for Conflict Prevention and Sustainable Peace” which was organized by the Permanent Mission of Japan.

• Invited to speak at the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh in 2015.

Academic Research

"The ‘Expressed’ in the Quran by Imam AL-Jawaliqi – Study and verification.

"Languages of Yemen in the book ‘Crowd’ by Ibn Duraid – collection, study and verification.

"Zuhddiat Abu Nawas – collection, study and verification” for which Faid received First Class Honours.

Honours, decorations awards and distinctions

Faid holds the distinction of ‘Allamah’ which is a dignity conferred on him by virtue of possessing several seamless ‘chains’ of knowledge to the Prophet Mohammad – on him peace and blessings.

In 2018, Faid was listed in the world’s 500 most influential Muslims by Georgetown University’s the Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talaal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding and Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan. He has continued to move up the list over the years.

Faid is credited with much scientific research in Islamic studies and the Arabic language. He is the recipient of a Certificate in Higher Education in Teaching in the UK and remains an active participant and lecturer at numerous conferences worldwide.

Bibliography

Said, Faid Mohammad (2016), The Meaning of Muhammad and our Cultural Memory, ISBN: 9780992937317

Said, Faid Mohammad (2016), River of Light, ISBN-13: 978-1526203410