Soaking the Soul in the Recital with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
This special event honours the life and legacy of Dr Thomas Cleary, one of the most respected translators of sacred and philosophical texts in the modern era. To mark Sandala’s publication of his final work — a powerful translation of the Qur’an — Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, President of Zaytuna College, reflects on Cleary’s lifelong devotion to clarity, precision, and spiritual depth in translation.
Across more than eighty published works, Dr Cleary introduced global audiences to the wisdom of diverse traditions — from Islamic thought to Taoism and Buddhism — bridging cultures through language and insight. His Qur’an translation continues that legacy, offering a text that speaks to both heart and intellect, inviting all readers to encounter its beauty and meaning.
Joining Shaykh Hamza Yusuf are Dr Aisha Subhani, Vice President of Zaytuna College, and Dr Asad Tarsin, in conversation about Dr Cleary’s remarkable career, his contribution to interfaith understanding, and the enduring influence of his scholarship on the study of spiritual texts.
About the Speakers
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
Hamza Yusuf Hanson is the president of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the US. Ranked 23rd by The Muslim 500, he advocates for traditional liberal arts education and serves on the UAE’s top fatwa council under Shaykh Abdallah b. Bayyah. As co-president of Religions for Peace, he collaborates on initiatives with the Vatican and the UN. Hanson, a member of the Jordanian Royal Academy for Islamic Studies, works on peace initiatives between Muslims and Christians. He translated The Marrakesh Declaration, promoting rights of other faiths in Muslim-majority societies, and authored Purification of the Heart.
Dr Asad Tarsin
Dr. Asad Tarsin, with a bachelor’s in Islamic studies, delved deeper into theology and spirituality under prominent scholars like Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. As a research fellow at Zaytuna College and Rihla Program board member, he focuses on inclusive Islamic education models. His debut book, Being Muslim: A Practical Guide, aims to elucidate Islam’s beauty. Alongside his role as an emergency physician, he resides in Michigan with his wife and children.
Dr Aisha Subhani
Dr. Aisha Subhani is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician and chair of the department of emergency services at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston. She also serves as the Vice President of Zaytuna College, America’s first accredited Muslims liberal arts college. For almost 20 years, she has been the Director of the Deen Intensive Foundation which organizes and manages Muslim educational programs in the US and abroad, including the popular Rihla program. She currently resides in Davie, Florida with her husband and three children.
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