
Hassan Shibly is the Chief Executive Director of CAIR-Florida. He holds a law degree from the University at Buffalo School of Law, and lectures regularly on issues relating to Islam, American Muslims, and Civil Rights. He has taught courses on Islamic belief, law, history, spirituality and culture. Shibly actively works with various interfaith and social service organizations to assist those in need and promote cooperation and understanding between diverse faiths and cultures. He has appeared numerous times in both local and national media outlets including CNN, NPR, Voice of America, the New York Times, the Toronto Star and the Buffalo News for his work protecting civil liberties and promoting understanding of the Muslim faith.

Early Islam or the history of Islam is believed, by most historians to have originated with Muhammad's mission in Mecca and Medina at the start of the 7th century CE. Although Muslims regard this time as a return to the original faith passed down by the Abrahamic prophets, such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, and Jesus, with the submission (Islam) to the will of God. According to the traditional account, the Islamic prophet Muhammad began receiving what Muslims consider to be divine revelations in 610 CE, calling for submission to the one God, preparation for the imminent Last Judgement, and charity for the poor and needy.