Originally published in The Eagle The violence continues and more blood has been shed; ISIS has beheaded two Japanese hostages Huruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto and released a video of the Jordanian pilot, Moaz Kasabeh, being burned alive. [We just learned that American aid worker Kayla Mueller has been killed buy ISIS.] This self-proclaimed “Islamic State” continues to show the world its...
Originally published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer In the auditorium of Summa Akron City Hospital, amongst dozens of intelligent and aspiring first-year pharmacy and medical students, I pondered the words of Dr. Joseph Zarconi. I was stuck on the significance of the color white as we discussed the responsibilities of the white coat we would now finally be granted after admission into the...
Originally published in High Point Enterprise The so-called Islamic State in Syria and Iraq continues to shock the world with its acts of hatred and barbarity. Not only have they beheaded two Japanese men they recently also burned alive the Jordanian pilot Moaz Kasasbeh. For a demonic organization to perpetuate these acts in the name of Islam is disgusting and hurtful. As a Muslim American and...
Originally published in The Charlotte Observer This attack has revealed an unfortunate double standard within the mainstream media. When a Muslim perpetrates violence, the foremost aspect of the incident brought to light is the religion of the perpetrator, and every news channel reports on it repeatedly. The moment a vocal anti-theist like Craig Hicks commits such an act, the perpetrator is...
Originally published in OpEd News Presidential hopeful Dr. Ben Carson recently said in a television interview that no Muslim should become the president of the United States. His remarks stem from the Islamophobia many have due to the horrible depiction of Islam by extremist groups like ISIS. Sharia law appears to be at the root of this fear. Polls show that most Americans have not met a Muslim...
Originally published in Statesman The execution-style murder of three Muslim students in Chapel Hill, N.C., is heart-breaking to read about; even worse, however, is the delay and lack of coverage by the mainstream media. Though unfortunate, the muted response wasn’t at all surprising. Had the killer been a Muslim who, like Craig Hicks, spewed bigoted comments online, we would have had 24-hour...
Originally published in The Sacramento Bee The merciless murders of three Americans at Chapel Hill, N.C., are troubling. Wait, three Americans? Yes, they were Americans, born and raised, who happened to be Muslim. Whether this brutality was a villainous hate crime, a response to a petty parking dispute or both remains undetermined, but it has sparked a necessary discussion on the intensifying...
Originally published in Erie The Islamic State militant group committed yet another gruesome act by burning a Jordanian pilot alive, and then publishing the horrific video online. This act is completely outside the teachings of Islam. The life history of Prophet Muhammad tells us a different story. When the Meccans attacked the Muslims in Medina, they incurred a horrible defeat and many of...
Originally published in The Star Tribune On Wednesday night, the Al-Madinah Cultural Center at the University of Minnesota held a candlelight vigil for the three Muslims who were shot to death in Chapel Hill, N.C. While sources suggest the motives were due to parking disputes, one can’t simply ignore the fact that anti-Islamic sentiment portrayed in the media has been on the rise and may have...
Orignially published in Patheos The last papal visit was a long seven years ago. American Catholics feel elated that the Holy Father once again graces America with his presence. For them, Pope Francis coming to the United States and speaking to Congress is like the feeling you get when you introduce your friends from church to your friends from school and both groups get along. Catholic youth...