Originally published in Time Those who say Islam is the problem are ignorant Since 9/11, “reforming” Islam under the guise of combatting extremism has become increasingly financially lucrative. More than $57 million has been spent to promote fear of Islam and Muslims. And it seems like everyone’s an expert—including those who have no actual education or scholarship on Islamic jurisprudence. In a...
True Muslims Condemn Terrorism
Originally published in The Roanoke Times Written By Arsalan Khan Fifteen years ago, atrocities took place on Sept. 11, 2001, that are unforgettable. Truly the Sept. 11 attacks were ones that would lead to a change in the course of history in the U.S. as we know it. As an Ahmadi Muslim, I continue to condemn those who are misusing the name of Islam and people whose acts lead others to believe...
The Tale of Two Imams
Originally published in Beliefnet By Zahid Mian It is the best of times. It is the worst of times. This tale takes place in London and the time is now. While many of the lessons of Dickens’ classic story are lost in the world today, the contrast between good and evil remains. In today’s London there are two individuals offering a path to peace and prosperity. On the one hand there is Anjem...
A Rise in Hate Crimes: Imam Killed Outside Mosque
Originally published in Beliefnet By: Mubarak Bashir As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, we are saddened by the unfortunate and untimely deaths of the victims of recent hate crimes. We pray for them and their families and hope that justice is served. Over the past few weeks we have seen an increase in hate crimes across the country. A man continually harassed his neighbors because...
African Americans and Muslim Americans
Originally Published in Patheos By: Ibrihim Ahmed “The death toll has now risen to 60 people, and gunmen are still inside the two mosques, carrying out continuous killings”, said the news anchor. I was watching the television with horror along with my two younger sisters. My mother called us from work telling us to stay calm and that everything would be alright. What concerned me was that my...
Oshkosh Mosque Sponsors Blood Drive Friday
Originally Published in The Northwestern Fifteen years. In a few days, it will be the 15-year anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, a painful day which has become the catalyst of so much that has transpired since then. Every day, every terrorist act, every shred of vile rhetoric, brings increased scrutiny to the faith of Islam and its teachings.As a Muslim living in the United States, I have become...
The Burkini Ban
Originally Published in Dallas News By: Nayyar Ahmed Recently, pictures of French police ordering the removal of a burkini worn by a woman at a beach have gone viral on media. In a separate incident, a mosque construction in a Georgia county is facing strong opposition from locals. To add insight, the caliph of Islam Mirza Masroor Ahmad (fifth supreme head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim...
Living With Islamphobia
Originally published in The Baltimore Sun By Adil Khan By the grace of God, I have overcome the worst type of adversity — the type of adversity that is directed at the DNA of one’s very being. You see, to me my faith, Islam, is my everything, comprising the nooks and crannies, the deep valleys and the tall summits, the oceans of my being, my universe. Amazingly, all of these insults and...
Dear Mr. Shehbaz Sharif, does calling Ahmadis ‘wajib-ul-qatl’ not count as hate speech?
Originally published in The Nation Chief Minister,The Government of Punjab. Dear Mr. Shehbaz Sharif, I hope you are doing great. I promise to keep this short and to-the-point. A tweet from the Government of Punjab’s official Twitter handle caught my eye on Sunday. A statement, attributed to you, promised continued crackdown on anyone guilty of inflammatory hate speech. Hate speech and...
ISIS Violates Islam
Originally published in Arizona Daily Star By Aamir Quraishy The 72 mass graves ISIS has left in its path are a terrifying sight to see. Even more terrible is hearing stories of survivors. The hearts, prayers and love of all Muslims and all humans go out to them. As a Muslim that loves the sanctity of American freedom and safety, it truly tears my hearts to see so many people around the world...