Instructor: Imam Stephen Mustapha Elturk
Also available via Zoom Hybrid
This class will meet in the Albert L. Lorenzo Cultural Center, Room 137.
The Life of Muhammad: The Prophet of Islam—Born an orphan; raised a shepherd; honest trader; chosen a Messenger. In his book The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History, Michael Hart places Muhammad to lead the list of the 100. He says, “My choice of Muhammad may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the secular and religious level.” In this two-part course students will, in Part I, learn about Muhammad’s early life, his role as a preacher in Mecca, and the development of Islam during that period. Part II will cover his time in Medina, highlighting his leadership, statesmanship, and the establishment of a societal framework that encompassed religious, social, economic, and political aspects.
About the Presenter: Stephen Mustapha Elturk is the Imam and president of the Islamic Organization of North America (IONA) in Warren, Michigan, with a master’s degree in social justice from Marygrove College. Imam Elturk serves on the advisory board of the Michigan Coalition of Human Rights and is a founding member of the American Human Rights Council. Imam Elturk is a publicly engaged Muslim leader and a leading interfaith activist in the Metro Detroit area.
