Originally Published in the Tulsa World
This might surprise some but Thanksgiving always has been a very special day to me, not only as an American but also as a Muslim. While many religions rightfully emphasize that one should be thankful to God for the many bounties that we are given, Islam goes one step further.
The Prophet Muhammad has said, “He who is not thankful to people is not thankful to God.” This is a constant reminder to Muslims to count the blessings that God has bestowed upon us, including providing us a place in a nation where our rights and freedoms are respected and protected, and to remember those who are less fortunate than we are.
On Thanksgiving, Muslims across the U.S. donated and volunteered in charities such as Humanity First USA, providing aid to victims of disasters in the Philippines and Syrian refugees. This is the true spirit of the holiday season, one which I hope all my fellow Americans will be part of.
