DR. IMAM KHAIRI A. SHAKUR

SHAKUR DR., IMAM KHAIRI A. 61 - of Philadelphia, PA., departed this life and went home to his Creator on Saturday, November 28, 2009, in Philadelphia. Imam Shakur was the resident Imam at Masjid Muhammed in Atlantic City and has over 30 years experience in the pursuit of Islamic excellence. He converted to Al Islam in 1969. Hajji Khairi Abdus. Shakur has traveled to Mecca, Saudi Arabia and completed the rites of Hajj two times and made Umrah nine times. Dedicated to educational excellence, Imam Shakur pursued independent studies in language at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Antioch University. He holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Counseling and Human Services and a Masters degree in Education and Administration also recently completing Doctoral studies in Clinical Pastoral counseling. He attended King Abdul Azziz Universities Imam training program in Mecca, Saudi Arabia and also North Central College of Seminary in Naperville, Illinois. Recognized as a skillful public speaker, Imam Shakur is a highly sought after Islamic spokesman. He is an international lecturer on Islamic and educational topics and has presented many seminars and workshops to communities, religious and business groups, also colleges and universities. He has been featured in numerous newspaper articles and interviewed on local and international television stations. Imam Shakur has numerous First to his acclaim. In 1980, Imam Shakur began volunteer work at the New Jersey Department of Corrections. In 1983, he was instrumental in establishing the first full time positions for Muslim chaplains. He was the first African-American and Muslim to hold the position of coordinator of chaplaincy for all religious denominations. He was appointed as a member of both the consulting and executive committees of the New Jersey Department of Corrections. He also served as consultant for the Federal Bureau of Corrections. He was instrumental in developing the first Muslim American Chaplaincy Course at the Muslim Teachers College in Randolph, VA. Where he serves on the Board of Trustees and a Director of Continuing Education. Currently, the Imam is a member of various organizations: the National Council of Masajids, the Majlis ash Shurra of the Delaware Valley, the National Association of Muslim Chaplains, the National Conference on Diversity and the American Corrections Association, Imam Shakur is also a member of The American Halal certification board, Chairman of the Muhammad Ali's Global Village Champions philanthropic board. Imam Shakur is a holder of the Humanitarian Award along with numerous other accolades. The father of the year award given to him by his children is one of his most precious. Survivors: His beloved wife, Shirley Jones Shakur( adjunct professor of nursing); five beautiful children: two daughters Amina and Sakina and three sons Yusef ,Ibn Khairi,Munir ; his siblings, C. Stanley, Leeah, Shawna and Sheila Murrell; adopted brothers, Joseph Holmes, Jessie Gavins and Dennis Parks; fifteen grandchildren and a host of other loving relatives. Janazah Prayers will be held today, Monday, November 30, 2009, 1:00 PM at Masjid Muhammed, 300 N. Albany Avenue., Atlantic City, NJ. Interment in Westminister Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, PA. Arrangements by Mikal's Funeral Parlor, Inc., 1033 Baltic Ave., Atlantic City, NJ. 609.344.1131 Please sign guest book at Legacy.com, email: mikalsfuneralparlor@verizon,net or visit: www.mikalsfuneralparlor.com