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Yusuf Estes

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Yusuf Estes
Born(1944-01-01)January 1, 1944
Ohio, United States
RegionYusuf Estes
Main interests
Islamic Preaching Dawah
Website[1]

Yusuf Estes, (b. 1 January 1944 in Ohio, grew up in Texas), is an American convert to Islam and former National Muslim Chaplain for the United States Bureau of Prisons and Delegate to the United Nations World Peace Conference for Religious Leaders.

Yusuf Estes was brought up in Houston in a Protestant Christian family; members of the Disciples of Christ.

From 1962 to 1990, his career was in the music industry, entertainment, marketing, as a music instructor and music minister and owned several musical instrument companies including the 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, entitled 'Estes Music Jamboree'.[1]

Conversion to Islam

In 1991, Estes had business dealings with a Muslim named Mohamed from Egypt. In trying to preach Christianity to Mohammed, Skip Estes learned about the religion of Islam first-hand and then converted to Islam,his wife and a christian priest also converted to islam along with him,while his entire family accepted islam later on.[2]. He has since pursued Arabic language and Qur'anic studies in Egypt, Morocco and Turkey.[3]

Since 2004, Yusuf Estes has been regularly appearing on Islam Channel 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 Television series is aimed toward English speaking children of Muslim parents and is entitled, "Qasas Ul Anbiya" - Stories of the Prophets.

Islamic Activities

His Islamic activities have included:

  • 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 2000.
  • University guest speaker (including Carnegie Mellon Qatar)
  • 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.
  • Estes takes a dim view of public education in the United States for Muslim children, and recommends schools where they might receive an Islamic education as well as a more advanced scholastic education too.

Closing motto

He is also well known for his motto which he regularly uses at the end of speeches and interviews, on the internet, "Visit Islamalways.com, where we're always open 24 hours a day and always plenty of free parking."[See Discussion]

Personal life

Estes is currently semi-retired, living with his wife in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., in the United States.

References

  1. ^ YusufEstes.com
  2. ^ Priests & Preachers Enter Islam by Chaplain Yusuf Estes
  3. ^ Yusuf Estes, on IslamTomorrow.com

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.
  • UWIRE (March 1, 2004) U. New Mexico speaker asks religions to unite.
  • UWIRE (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.
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