Wolfe also explained in detail all matters concerning the implementation of the pilgrimage, from the pillars of hajj, ordinances, until the meaning at every worship is conducted. But who is Michael Wolfe? Indeed, Wolfe is the author of a book called One Thousand Roads to Mecca: Ten Centuries of Travelers Writing About the Muslim Pilgrimage. Moreover, he never made a documentary film about the pilgrimage to the same television station.
So, when judging from his résumé is, no one if the television station chose Wolfe as the speaker source. He is also known as producers, writers, and intellectuals. In addition to producing works of books and movies, he often gave public lectures about Islam in a number of famous universities in the U.S..
Gait was born 3 April 1945 that the Islamic religion is a form of commitment as a Muslim, after he pledged himself as a Muslim (convert). Michael Wolfe became Muslim in the late 80s, and since then he is submissive to the advancement of Islam and Muslims around the world.
Starting at the end of 70, Wolfe who was then already become a writer, want to find enlightenment in his life. He tried to soften the feeling cynical view on the surrounding environmental conditions.
Born in a family that has two handles religion, his father was Jewish, while her mother was a Christian. The situation is causing a little depressed when Wolfe should discuss the issue of religion and freedom.
Until then he found a memorable moment. One when he traveled to Brussels, Belgium. Right after dinner, Wolfe went to the toilet. At the same time, a number of airline passengers who are Muslims praying at their desks because it was in when evening prayers.
Wolfe is out of the toilet, was struck by the incident. Keep a close watch him do the Muslims worship. He then realized, wherever and whenever, the Muslims who believe will never neglect the obligation of worship to God.
"I just stand and look, I see most of them holding a book at hand is then placed in the chest as he praised the Lord," said Wolfe. This incident brings Wolfe wanted to know more about Islam. He wanted to find a religion that is not only limited to ritual or worship, and there is no doubt in it. Wolfe then decided to wander into North Africa, and settled in the area for about three years.
There, he interacted with a totally different environment. Wolfe met with many ethnic, tribal and religious, including by the Arab and African descent who are Muslims. That's for the first time introducing a really intense with Islam. And soon enough, he felt a more intimate atmosphere, polite and considerate. Muslims accept it with open arms.
From his observations, as quoted from page Islamfortoday, Muslims never discriminate someone based on ethnicity or skin color. Anyone seen the same and equal, whether poor, rich, old, young, and so on. Islam does distinguish individuals based on faith and piety to Allah SWT.
This is clearly in contrast with his former life. For example, in the association intermarry, just often arise discrimination because of differences in skin color, ethnicity or belief. "It happens every day in society when they claim to have religious beliefs. Serious concern, "he explained.
He had found peace in Islam. Inwardly, he confirmed the statement the U.S. Muslim leader, Malcolm X, who said that Americans need to understand Islam because Islam is the only religion that teaches mutual respect and appreciate the genuinely human. Author of an article titled Islam: The Next American Religion? It also argues, Islam is a religion that are appropriate for American conditions. There are several reasons, among others, Islam has the spirit of democracy, egalitarian, and tolerant of other beliefs.
Wolfe recorded twice traveled to Morocco, namely in 1981 and 1985. In the end he concluded that North Africa is a region that could bring a new balance in her life. His heart was moored in North Africa. And not only anchored in North Africa, his heart began amazed and astonished with Islam. The more explore Islam, the stronger the belief in him. Michael Wolfe finally decided to become Muslim.
This unfortunate decision by his colleagues of the Western academic circles. Most of them still associate Islam with a society that is backward and violent religion. They also asked Wolfe to undo the decision.
However, Wolfe which later changed its name to Michael Abdul Majeed Wolfe, did not waver. Wolfe assess his colleagues misjudged Islam. Islam, from his observations, has been much misunderstood and distorted from the actual reality. "In short, Islam is a religion of peace," said Wolfe.
Steady himself increasingly embracing Islam, with all its consequences, because he saw the goodness and virtue in this religion. According to him, Islam emphasized on brotherhood and love, both to fellow human beings of the universe.
Furthermore, these figures look, in the next few years, Islam will become a religion with the most rapid development in Europe and America. From year to year, the number of Muslims is growing, including those who became converts, and among others, triggered by the increasing number of people who understand the true essence of Islamic teachings before.
Wolfe increasingly enthusiastic worship and Islamic activities. He read many books about Islam and get involved with the activities of the mosque near his home in California. "Every year the Muslim fasting month and followed by the Hajj for about 40 days. That's the glory of Islam, "he said.
Described, the five pillars of Islam berasaskan primary. One of them is a pilgrimage. Wolfe believes, when it has been able to materially and physically, a person's obligatory to perform the pilgrimage to the Holy Land, at less once in a lifetime.
After the pilgrimage around the beginning of 1990, Wolfe contribution at best in a book called Mecca: The Hadj, published in 1993, and One Thousand Roads to Mecca (1997). "Now I hope to explore religious beliefs that have been tersemai since a long time," said Wolfe.
Continuing his writing, a graduate of bachelor of Arts Classics at Wesleyan University was founded publishing Tombouctou Books, Bolinas, California. One of his achievements which is now editing a collection of essays the author of American Muslims in a book titled Taking Back Islam: American Muslims Reclaim Their Faith. This book won the 2003 Wilbur Award in the category of the best religion book.
Wolfe was also the host of a program of short films about the pilgrimage to Mecca for Ted Koppel's Nightline program on ABC television station. The program also won awards from the media Muslim Public Affairs Council.
Michael Wolfe's love can not be doubted. His days were always filled with a variety of Islamic activities. In between busy writing, which he made as a propaganda medium, Wolfe expanding Islamic poem in public, especially non-Muslims through other media. In February 2003, he collaborated with CNN television journalist, Zain Verjee, to make the program a documentary film about the pilgrimage.
In 1999, along with fellow filmmakers, Alex Kronemer, Wolfe founded a media education foundation named Unity Productions Foundation (UPF). Collaboration Wolfe and Alex in the UPF and produce works of television documentary on the life of Prophet Muhammad, entitled Muhammad: Legacy of a Prophet.
Related to the film, Wolfe said they wanted to target two audiences at once. First, the educated layman as well as Western societies. Most of them do not know much about the life of Prophet Muhammad true, so often give a negative perception. While the second, the Muslim community itself so that they are more familiar figure of the noble Prophet SAW.
The film was shot in three countries, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United States. Some religious leaders, historians and scholars such as Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Karen Armstrong, Cherif Basiouni, Hossen Sayyid Nasr, and many more, are recorded into his sources. To increase accuracy, along with Kronemer, Wolfe studied sirah (history) as well as books on hadith the Prophet Muhammad.
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