The Sahaba Behind Bars: Why American Prisoners Are Becoming Muslim?
Channel: Muslim Community Center - MCC East Bay
Date: 2021-03-21

There’s a mass conversion to Islam happening right here in the United States.

And it’s happening in prison.

But why? What is it like to be Muslim behind bars?

And what happens when a Muslim who’s never seen the inside of a masjid finally rejoins free society?

In this live chat, Ustadh Tabari Zahir from the Islamic prison-distance learning nonprofit Tayba Foundation speaks about the forgotten believers in our Ummah and why so many amazing American Muslims are in prison.

Ustadh Tabari gives insights about what is it like to be Muslim behind bars and what he thinks the causes are of the mass conversion to Islam happening right now. One in ten prisoners in America becomes Muslim.

This talk was sponsored with the Tayba Foundation. It is delivered via the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on March 21, 2021. He is interviewed by Munir Safi from MCC East Bay.

Tayba Foundation is one of the few Muslim organizations in the U.S. serving incarcerated Muslims. The nonprofit provides Muslim inmates much-needed Islamic education, along with essential life skills training, and assistance upon re-entry. Shaykh Rami Nsour, who has served as MCC's Youth Director, is its co-founder. Learn more about the great work they do at: https://www.taybafoundation.org

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About the Speaker
Tabari Abdul-Zahir began formally studying the Islamic Sciences in early 2003 with Muslim scholars at Zaytuna Institute. Due to a series of bad choices and spiritual heedlessness, he found himself in federal prison for a non-violent drug crime from 2005-2016. It was in prison that Abdul-Zahir made the transformative ‘Tauba’ which Imam Ghazali said everyone needs to make once in his or her life. While in prison, Abdul-Zahir spent his time learning and teaching Aqeedah, Fiqh, Tazkiya, and Arabic.

Upon release, Sidi Abdul-Zahir completed an Associates degree in Behavioral Sciences and a Bachelor’s in Arabic Language, Literature and Culture. He is finishing up his Master of Social Work. His thesis is on recidivism, mental health and substance abuse.

Sidi Abdul-Zahir was also commissioned by the Tayba Foundation to write a book to serve as an introduction to Islam and the Tayba study curriculum for Muslims who are incarcerated. This book was completed in late 2017 and is called, ‘Introduction to Islam: with practical examples and advice for incarcerated Muslims.

Faith identity is more important than ever in prison.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, faith has become a critical component for Muslim inmates. An oft-neglected segment of our community, Muslims prisoners face a host of daily challenges when it comes to practicing their faith. These challenges include the availability of halal food, being able to wear religious head coverings, having access to religious materials, and even praying together.

Studies have revealed that:
- Muslims only comprise about 1% of the U.S. population, but they represent 9% of the prison population.
- 90% of incarcerated Muslims are converts.
- Several prisons ban or severely restrict group religious activities.
- Muslim prisoners often have their religious property (such as prayer rugs, beads, and Qur'ans) mishandled or confiscated.

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