Sheikh Mateen Charbonneau

Joshua Adam Charbonneau is an American Muslim. He was born in 1982 in Sumter, South Carolina. He is of French Canadian and American descent. He was born into a Christian family, and later chose to revert to Shi’a Islam at the age of 17, having studied both faiths.  After reverting to Islam he chose the name Mateen which in Arabic means strong, firm and unshakable. His first language is English and he also learned Quranic Arabic. In 2008 at age 26 he moved to Washington, DC area and has been an active part of the Muslim community. In 2022 he moved to Turkey and is leading an English speaking community. Other activities include majalis, jumah services, weekly youth and adult classes in various communities throughout the United States (virtually) and Turkey.

• Converted to Shia Islam on July 2^nd 1999 at the age of 17
• Learned Quranic Arabic in the year 2000
• Independently studied Islamic books full time from the year 1999-2007
• Filmed a documentary for al-Anwar Hussain TV entitled The Journey of the Spirit in 2011
• Started studying Islamic Seminary classes (Howza) in March 2013 at Imam Ali Center in Springfield, Virginia and also studied abroad in Najaf al-Ashraf and Karbala. He currently is continuing higher studies. His teachers include Sheikh Mustafa Akhound, Sheikh Mirza Abbas Shamsudin, Sheikh Saed Ali Kulayni , Sheikh Muhammad BagherNejad, Sayed Ibn Abbas Naqvi, Sheikh Mohammad Jafar Danesh, Sayed Baqir Imrani, Sayed Raad al-Alawi, Sayed Muhammad Baqir Shirazi, Sayed Muhammad Baqir Qazwini, Sayed Murtadha Modarresi, Sayed Mohsen Modarresi, Sayed Sajjad Modarresi, Sheikh Abul Hassan Yemaani, Sheikh Haani al-Hakim and Sayyid Anvar Sajadi.
• Authored several books entitled; The Suffering of the Ahl ul Bayt and their Followers (Shia) throughout History, Christians who defended and died for Prophet Muhammad and his Family (English, Spanish, French), Mystery of the Shia, A Study Guide for Logic, an extensive book of narrations entitled Prophetic Gems, A Commentary to the Faith of Shia Islam (Aqaed Imamiyya) of Allama Muzaffar, Recalling the Sacrifices of Karbala, Esteemed Women of Islam and 450 Questions and Answers About Shia Islam Answered.
• Founded a nonprofit organization to send free books to prisoners in March 2014 entitled; 2^nd Chance Books  has sent 23,000 Shia books inside the prisons throughout the country and has over 2,500 American Shia converts participating.
• Filmed a documentary for Ahlulbayt TV entitled Faith Behind Bars
• Achieved  a certificate from Harvard University in Islamic Studies
• Had articles about my life published in magazines in America, Iran, China and Azerbaijan
• Was crowned with the turban from the hand of  Sheikh Ahmad al-Haeri on the martyrdom of Muslim ibn Aqil (ra) / Day of Arafat in 2016
• Filmed an Autism Awareness workshop for Muslim communities
• 2017 started teaching online classes for Imam Sadiq Howza
• Was crowned with the turban from the respected and honorable marja’ Ayatollah Sayed Muhammad Taqi Modaressi on the 3^rdof Shabaan / the birth anniversary of Imam Sajjad (as) in the Holy city of Karbala, Iraq 2018
• Was certified at the 17th annual conference of Shia scholars of N. America and Canada for Mediation training by the Northern Virginia Mediation Service (NVMS)
• 2019 Faculty Member of John the Martyr Seminary of Karbala