Biography

Founder and CEO of the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA Society) and Imam of Masjid Al-Farah, a mosque in New York City, twelve blocks from Ground Zero. He has dedicated his life to building bridges between Muslims and the West and is a leader in the effort to build religious pluralism and integrate Islam into modern society.

By establishing ASMA in 1997, he created the first Muslim organization committed to bringing Muslims and non-Muslims together through programs in academia, policy, current affairs and culture. As Imam of Masjid Al-Farah, he preaches a message of peace and understanding between people, regardless of creed, nationality or political beliefs. His inspiring sermons have made him one of the most sought-after Muslim clerics in the US.

Imam Feisal is also the architect of the Cordoba Initiative, an inter-religious blueprint for improving relations between the Muslim world and West & America. As a tireless advocate for an ecumenical solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, he has impressed his vision on US lawmakers and administration officials, most recently as member of the National Inter-religious Initiative For Peace in Washington DC.

Regarded as one of the world most eloquent and erudite Muslim leaders, Imam Feisal speaks frequently at major US think tanks and international conferences, including Council for Foreign relations, YPO, World Economic Forum in Davos. In addition, his ability to motivate religious novices and experts alike has made him a popular teacher of Islam at many respected New York institutions, including the Center for Religious Inquiry at St. Bartholomew's Church and the Chautauqua Institution.

Imam Feisal is a member of the World Economic Forum Council of 100 Leaders (Islamic West dialogue) and the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Center of New York. He is also an advisor to the Interfaith Center of New York. His published writings include the books Islam: A Search for Meaning, and Islam: A Sacred Law (what every Muslim should know about the Shariah) His latest book, What's Right With Islam: A New Vision for Muslims and the West was rated by Christian Science Monitor amongst its top four books on religion.

A charismatic public speaker, Imam Feisal has appeared in national and international media such as CNN, BBC, CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS and BBC. He has been quoted in the New York Times, Time magazine, Washington Post, New York Daily News, Jerusalem Post, and Associated Press.

Imam Feisal was born in Kuwait in 1948 into an Egyptian family steeped in religious scholarship. He was educated in England and Malaysia and has a degree in physics from Columbia University in New York, USA.