Dr. Ibn-Ziyad has demonstrated an abiding concern for racial justice, humanitarian and environmental issues and has been active as a member or leader (1988-present) in the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (Washington, DC), the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, the National Black Radical Congress (St. Louis and Philadelphia), the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, the Darfur Alert Coalition (Philadelphia), the South Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance.
Dr. Ibn-Ziyad has held teaching posts as an adjunct professor at Empire State College (New York City, 1987; sociology), the Philadelphia Lutheran Seminary (1998; Christian-Muslim Relations) and Rutgers University, Camden campus (2002 to present; philosophy, religion, criminal justice). Since 1988 he has served as a history and social studies teacher at Camden High School where he is also active in the Camden Educational Association's union activities. He is proud to have been chosen to serve for four years (1997-2001) on the New Jersey State Board of Education's social studies curriculum committee.
In 1994 Dr. Ibn-Ziyad was elected to the County Committee At-Large of the Democratic Party of the City of Camden. He is a former national chaplain of Vietnam Veterans Against War and past service officer of American Legion Post 473 in Camden.Most recently Ibn-Ziyad waged a campaign as a progressive Democrat for the U.S. House of Representatives (1st District, NJ). Though ultimately unsuccessful in his June 3, 2008 primary loss, Ibn-Ziyad did gain 7% of the overall vote. In this first time, underfunded run he successfully garnered nearly 3,000 votes from those progressives and independents who opposed the monopoly and power of the regular Democratic Party and its handpicked nominee to replace 18 year incumbent Congressman Rob Andrews.
