Yusuf Estes
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Yusuf Estes, PhD. (born 1944 in Ohio), is an American convert to Islam and Director of "the Islamic Mission Foundation International", an Islamic research group dedicated to presenting the message of Islam in English according to the Quran, Sunnah.[1]
He was brought up in Texas in a Protestant Christian family; as members of the Disciples of Christ. Yusuf Estes was known then as "Skip Estes".
From 1962 until 1990, he had a career in the music industry, entertainment, marketing, music instructor and music minister and owned several musical instrument companies including Estes Piano and Organ Company. He produced and directed live entertainment programs throughout the United States from the mid 1960's until his last endeavor for cable TV in Florida, etitled "Estes Music Jamboree".[2]
In 1991, Estes had business dealings with a Muslim named Mohamed from Egypt. He learned about the religion of Islam firsthand and converted to Islam after seeing a Catholic priest friend enter Islam. He was then followed by his wife, father, daughters and step mother. He has since pursued Arabic language and Quranic studies in Egypt, Morocco and Turkey.
Since 2005, Yusuf Estes has been regularly appearing on IslamChannel in the UK, as well as Peace TV and on Huda TV which are 24/7 Islamic channels broadcasting in many countries around the globe, via satellite and the website WatchIslam.com TV Channels
His latest efforts are directed toward English speaking Muslim youth and include Muslims sharing videos, and Muslim Chatroom and for young children Preschool Learning
His latest TV series is aimed toward English speaking Muslim children and is entitled, "Qasas Ul Anbiya" Stories of the Prophets.
His Islamic activities include:
- Volunteer Imam in a Texas military installation.
- National U.S. Chaplain for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, starting 1994.
- Delegate to the United Nations Peace Summit for Religious Leaders in August of 2000.
- University guest speaker.
- Television program producer and director, preacher, syndicated television programs on satellite and cable networks.
- Developing many hi-tech Islamic websites, including chatrooms, video conferencing, news sites, reference sites and entertainment sites for youth.
He is also well known for his website motto which he regularly uses at the end of speeches and interviews, "Visit Islamalways.com, where we're always open 24 hours a day and always plenty of free parking."
[edit] References
- ^ Elizabeth Omara-Otunnu. "Ramadan Awareness Event Designed To Debunk Negative Images", Advance, University of Connecticut, 11-17-2003.
- ^ TheTrueReligion.org
[edit] Further reading
- Blade, David Yonke Toledo. (July 14, 2001) Journal Gazette Proselytizing preacher finds faith in Islam: Sheik Yusuf Estes. Page 1.
- Tilove, Jonathan. (October 23, 2001) The Star-Ledger To be a white U.S. Muslim: Converts embrace the oddity. Section: News; Page 10.
- Pinsky, Mark I. (January 6, 2003) Orlando Sentinel Muslims' radio message: we are regular people. Section: Life & Times; Page C1.
- The Hamilton Spectator (February 14, 2003) A Christian attends a mosque; A visitor finds a warm welcome and wonders if he'd be as liberal.
- Columbia State (SC). (April 7, 2003) Chaplain to speak at USC about Islam. Section: Metro/Region; Page B5.
- U-WIRE (March 1, 2004) U. New Mexico speaker asks religions to unite.
- U-WIRE (April 18, 2005) Muslim speaker educates U. Northern Colorado students about faith.
- US State News. (April 12, 2006) National Muslim chaplain Yusuf Estes to speak at senior center on April 14.
- The Modesto Bee (April 22, 2006) Converted preacher to speak about 'pure Islam.' Section: Lifestyles; Page G1.
- Nomani , Asra Q. (October 22, 2006) Washington Post Wife-Beating, Chapter and Verse.
- Wen, Sarah. (January 23, 2007 ) University Wire UCLA Muslim student group to promote Islam, religious unity.
