Dr. Omar Suleiman was born in 1986 in New Orleans, Louisiana, to a Palestinian family. Beginning in 2000, he undertook a traditional Islamic scholarly journey, receiving classical religious education for several years in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Malaysia. Throughout his education, he pursued comprehensive studies in both secular and religious fields. He earned a PhD in Islamic Thought and Civilization from the International Islamic University Malaysia. Additionally, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Islamic law and accounting, and a master’s degree in Islamic finance and political history.

Since 2008, Suleiman has been teaching Islamic sciences at the university level, delivering courses at institutions such as Mishkah University, Al Maghrib Institute, Bayyinah Institute, and the Islamic Seminary of America. He currently serves as a faculty member in Islamic Studies at Southern Methodist University (SMU) and is a member of the university’s ethics advisory board.

Institutional Activities and Community Initiatives

Dr. Suleiman serves as president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, an intellectual organization he founded in 2016. The institute aims to produce academic scholarship grounded in Islamic texts, build confidence among Muslim youth, and generate evidence-based narratives countering Islamophobia. Since 2013, he has also served as a volunteer resident scholar at the Valley Ranch Islamic Center.

Suleiman has also assumed the co-chairmanship of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square, a multi-faith platform for peace and justice. Guided by his commitment to community service, he founded the organization M.U.H.S.E.N. (Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs), which seeks to create more inclusive environments for individuals with disabilities in mosques. This initiative is deeply rooted in his mother’s personal experiences with health challenges and disability.

Community Contributions and Recognition During the Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Suleiman continued his religious and social duties through online platforms. He maintained community engagement through weekly seminars, social media live streams, and webinars organized with various institutions. He also actively participated in field relief efforts alongside organizations such as ICNA Relief, CitySquare, and Ma’ruf Dallas, providing services including the distribution of food and essential supplies to refugees and individuals with special needs.

Suleiman’s impact has been recognized nationally. He was named one of America’s 25 most influential Muslims by CNN and included in The Muslim 500 list of the world’s most influential Muslims. In 2019, he was honored by the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives and the Antiracist Research and Policy Center for his contributions to social change. A father of three, Dr. Suleiman lives in Dallas, Texas, with his family.