Shaykha Dr. Tamara Gray
Founder & Chief Spirituality Officer
Dr. Tamara Gray is a founder of Rabata, an organization dedicated to promoting positive cultural change through creative educational experiences. She holds a doctorate in leadership from the University of St. Thomas, a master’s degree in Curriculum Theory and Instruction from Temple University, and spent twenty years studying traditional and classical Islamic sciences, Quran, and Arabic in Damascus, Syria.
Dr. Gray worked in the field of education for twenty-five years before moving into the non-profit world. She is now both the Executive Director of Rabata and its Chief Spirituality Officer. Her work includes the daily nitty gritty of project design as well as the support and mentorship of hundreds of women around the world. She is the instructor for more than ten subjects at Ribaat, teaches RabaTeens, and contributes to curriculum development.
Dr. Gray is also an author and translator. Her publications range from several culturally appropriate English language curriculum programs to translations of sacred texts. She has authored two books: Joy Jots: Exercises for a happy heart & Project Lina: Bringing our whole selves to Islam, and co-translated the Mukhtasir al-Jami’ fi al-Sīra al-Nabawiyya by Samīra Zayid [Compendium of the Collection of Sources on al-Sīra al-Nabawiyya]
She also serves as both faculty and an academic council member for The Islamic Seminary of America, teaches at the United Theological Seminary of the TwinCities and is a Senior Fellow at the Yaqeen Institute. She has recently joined the Fiqh council of North America in addition to her other responsibilities.
Dr. Tamara is a mother of three, grandmother of two, an avid reader and a lover of cultures, people, coffee and food.
Celebrate Mercy: Journey with the Prophet ﷺ Series – Seeing Him in Dreams & His Role in the Next Life ﷺ
Yaqeen Institute: Tahajjud Waking Soul & Society
Episode 6 – How to Wake Up for Tahajjud
CAIR National: Pre-Ramadan and navigating uncertainty
By Fatima Barkatulla
By Nargis Hakim Rahman
Living and Learning with Tamara Gray
By Baraka Blue
Empowering Women’s Voices & Scholarship
By Imanwire
Don’t Be a Victim
By Imanwire
Changing religions, changing names
Greed for Ilm Podcast
By Walid
Anse Dr. Tamara Gray: Esteemed Teacher, Compassionate Mentor, And The Life Long Student. The Aida Azlin Show
New Beginnings: Islam vs Culture
Voices of Islam New Zealand: Favorite Quran verse
Islamic Center of Greater Toledo: Gems: Cultivating Spiritual Sorority & Fraternity with Shaykha Tamara Gray
How an American Woman Became a Muslim Scholar: Dr. Tamara Gray
Special Interview between Anse Dr. Tamara Gray and IKIMfm: Chasing Dreams: Empowering Women to Achieve Big
Lamppost Education Initiative: Talking with Teachers: Shaykha Tamara Gray
Hijab and the Role of Influencers: Social Media’s Influence on Practicing Faith
Recorded Speaking Engagements
UK Ramadan Radio: Ramadan Reading Retreat
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwgIOUobUtk
Haute Hijab: Fatimah al-Zahraa’
https://www.instagram.com/p/COV-63EFVTA/
Celebrate Mercy: Remembering Badr
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=118396923599083
Lamppost Education Initiative: Women around the Prophet Musa
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=482815959577259
Ramadan Tent Project: Leadership & Creativity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA-3OkXSEyg
Launchgood: Zakat
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=508296313538605
Celebrate Mercy: Reflections on the Israa & Miraaj
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=537668293879535
ISNA: The Prophet (S) as Teacher and Guide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0cYfuQCl7Q
Celebrate Mercy: Rabi’ul awwal nightly series – First revelation and Early Muslims
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=360296508741213
Celebrate Mercy: Friday Reflections Surah Kahf Commentary and Khutba
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=335558091146611
Muslim Community Center Chicago: Our Mother Sarah
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=764387591001696
CAIR-MN: Condemning Islamophobia, racism and bigotry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuNcdlYUxoM&t=1s
ISNA and FCNA: Fiqh of Hajj and Eidul Adha
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk2HMtAQJ_c
Yaqeen Institute: Qur’an Reflections on Fortitude, Gratitude and the Sweetness of Sujood
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU): Creating a More Welcoming Mosque for Converts
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=250641293021799
Celebrate Mercy: Battle of Badr
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=255255338931885
Manitoba Islamic Association: Battle of Badr
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=256167662247567
Islamic Center of Johnson County: Ramadan as a University
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=891741377956504
ISNA: Making the Most of Ramadan and this Unique Eid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQHaScLaBcA
Columbia University MSA: Building resilience and Istiqama
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2838374779612409
Yaqeen Institute: Nightly Qur’an Reflections series – Juz 4
https://yaqeeninstitute.org/omar-suleiman/juz-4-with-dr-tamara-gray-quran-30-for-30
Celebrate Mercy: Ramadan Resolutions
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=538240080416795
ADAMS center Qurtuba Institute: Qur’an & Qiyam
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=2328529647250163
Celebrate Mercy: Ramadan Resolutions
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=538240080416795
CAIR National: Pre-Ramadan and navigating uncertainty
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3075361162503797
Philandure Malaysia: Motivation and self-help
https://m.facebook.com/UmmahSummit/videos/372977827367622
Articles by Anse Tamara Gray
Standing in the Chaos: Cross – cultural Competency in Curriculum Materials
The Journal of Islamic Faith and Practice // Volume 3, issue 1
http://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/JIFP/article/view/24672/23364
Tahajjud: Fuel for the Self and Society
https://yaqeeninstitute.org/tamara-gray/tahajjud-fuel-for-the-self-and-society/
Teaching from the Tent: Muslim Women’s Leadership in Digital Religion
https://ir.stthomas.edu/caps_ed_lead_docdiss/128/
Courage and Commitment: The Femininity of Muslim Women
https://yaqeeninstitute.org/tamara-gray/courage-commitment-the-femininity-of-muslim-women/
Anse’s blogs
https://www.rabata.org/category/anses-blogs/
Can We Deliver on Behalf of the Prophet? Six Ways to Spread the Message of Islam
https://almadinainstitute.org/blog/can-we-deliver-on-behalf-of-the-prophet-six-ways-to-spread-the-message-of-i/
Off to University! Ramadan Has Begun
https://almadinainstitute.org/blog/off-to-university-ramadan-has-begun/
Hamra’ al-Asad: Three Ways to Face Defeat
https://almadinainstitute.org/blog/hamraa-al-asad-three-ways-to-face-defeat/
Muslim Women in Leadership: Nana Asma’u, Daughter of the Shehu
https://almadinainstitute.org/blog/muslim-women-in-leadership-nana-asmau-daughter-of-the-shehu/
Sifting Through Mixed Messages: Gender Bias in Islamic Studies Curriculum Materials
https://isna.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/final_presentation_ef_2016.pdf
Unmosqued, film review
http://www.unmosquedfilm.com/stories/film-review-and-reflection-by-anse-tamara-gray
Ribaat Blog
https://ribaat.rabata.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=263
Prayer and Labor and Delivery
https://www.muslimobgyn.com/prayer-and-labor-and-delivery/
Pregnancy and Prayer
https://www.muslimobgyn.com/pregnancy-and-prayer/
Are you on Vacation?
https://www.muslimobgyn.com/are-you-on-vacation/
Interviews & Podcasts
The Aida Azlin Show
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XnKR1BODfyBEHJXDlTvLP?si=GTXJjaBCTmK3z7Cw4dqkmA
Feel Good Muslim with Sister Lauren Booth – Anse Tamara Gray
https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/podcasts/feel-good-muslim-sister-lauren-booth-tamara-grey/
Leaving Christianity for Islam, Women in Mosques, Making Prayer a Must
By Fatima Barkatulla
https://podtail.se/podcast/ilmfeed-podcast/ep-034-leaving-christianity-for-islam-women-in-mos/
Changing Views on Female Islamic Scholarship: Talking with Anse Tamara Gray
By Nargis Hakim Rahman
Living and Learning with Tamara Gray
By Baraka Blue
https://podtail.se/podcast/path-present-w-baraka-blue/-020-living-learning-w-tamara-gray/
Empowering Women’s Voices & Scholarship
By Imanwire
Don’t Be a Victim
By Imanwire
https://almadinainstitute.org/blog/dont-be-a-victim/
Changing religions, changing names
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/08/18/tamara-gray
Greed for Ilm Podcast
By Walid
http://greedforilm.com/anse-tamara-gray-rabata/
Anse Dr Tamara Gray: Esteemed Teacher, Compassionate Mentor, And The Life Long Student The Aida Azlin Show
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XnKR1BODfyBEHJXDlTvLP?si=GTXJjaBCTmK3z7Cw4dqkmA
Does Praying Tahajjud Make a Difference?
DoubleTake with Yaqeen Institute
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/doubletake-with-yaqeen-institute/id1554596221?i=1000514221980
Islamic Mahr Contracts: Why Mahr is a Muslim Woman’s Right w/ Dr. Tamara Gray
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/islamic-mahr-contracts-why-mahr-is-muslim-womans-right/id1454968544?i=1000515175406
Philosophy of Islamic Education in the West
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e18-islamic-education-in-america-with-dr-tamara-gray-rabata/id1463223629?i=1000513707624
The Almanac Show – Twin Cities PBS
https://www.tpt.org/almanac/video/new-approach-to-mental-health-body-cameras-38913/
Anse Tamara and Rabata in the Media
Beyond Stereotypes: Daybreak Press Aims to Broaden Depiction of Muslims in Minneapolis School Books
https://sahanjournal.com/arts/minneapolis-public-schools-muslim-students-books/
Muslim Women Renew Calls for More Inclusive Programs as Mosques Reopen
By Rowaida Abdelaziz
Breast Cancer in the Muslim Community: Challenges and Opportunity
By Samana Siddiqui
The Arabic Community and RI Public Schools
By Melanie Magidow
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QQRmTMKy2qG1Xi87vPc3wd93ZIRywZx2/view
A Woman’s Place at the Mosque
By Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil
https://www.christiancentury.org/article/features/woman-s-place-mosque
Conference Report on Spiritual Abuse: Education and Prevention for our Communities
By Afshan M. Malik
http://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/JIFP/article/view/23282
What does it mean to be a Convert
By Claudia Seise
https://www.islamicity.org/19337/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-convert/
International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development: “Faith, Feminism and Human Rights” and “Unlocking the Power of Faith-Based Partnerships”
Exercises for a Happy Heart: Anse Tamara Gray
By khidmat
https://tawfiq.my/exercises-for-a-happy-heart-anse-tamara-gray/
Changes within us – Ibadah as training for the body and the soul
By Leila A.
http://divithana.com/english/changes-within-us-ibadah-as-a-training-for-the-body-and-the-soul/
When your child is called a terrorist
By Tayyaba Syed
https://www.tayyabasyed.com/single-post/2018/10/21/When-Your-Child-is-Called-a-Terrorist
Women’s History Month with Author and Educator
By Umm Juwayriyah
http://ummjuwayriyah.blogspot.com/2018/03/womens-history-month-with-author.html?m=1
Why I believe its a critical time for the rise of both muslim and female writers
By Nahela Morales
Stories in the Attic: Unleashing the Treasures Within: Third Annual Daybreak Press Muslim Women’s Literary Conference
By Suzana Nabil Saad
https://aboutislam.net/family-life/culture/stories-in-the-attic-unleashing-the-treasures-within/
50 over 50
https://www.pollenmidwest.org/stories/2017-50-over-50/
American Muslim Networks and Neotraditionalism
By Brendan Peter Newlon
https://escholarship.org/content/qt14x6214v/qt14x6214v.pdf
Parliament of World Religions
https://parliamentofreligions.org/speaker/anse-tamara-gray
Jewish-Catholic Relations- Learning How to Talk to Each Other
https://www.kaltura.com/index.php/extwidget/preview/partner_id/763372/uiconf_id/6308181/entry_id/1_4zxkt1b2/embed/dynamic?
Saving Superwoman and I’ll Add Superman too
By wbabdullah
https://wbabdullah.wordpress.com/2012/07/21/saving-superwoman-and-ill-add-superman-too/
This is what the day of Arafa means for Muslim women
By Hasnaa Mokhtar
https://muslimgirl.com/day-arafa-means-muslim-women/
Do we really need more creative spaces for Muslim women writers
By Shireen Hakim
https://muslimgirl.com/do-we-really-need-more-creative-spaces-for-muslim-women-writers/
Anse Tamara Gray: Building Brave New Spaces
https://www.revivingsisterhood.org/anse-tamara-gray-builds-brave-spaces
“Strength in Islam Comes from Knowledge” – Bringing Back the Esteem of Muslim Women
https://nikram786.wordpress.com
Scholars Endorse Statement on the Full Inclusion of Women in Mosques
https://imamsonline.com/scholars-endorse-statement-on-the-full-inclusion-of-women-in-mosques/
In its 10th year, the game ‘Pilgrims at Home’ takes on new meaning for Muslim women
By Aysha Khan
https://religionnews.com/2020/07/30/in-its-10th-year-pilgrims-at-home-game-takes-on-new-meaning-for-muslim-women/
