Originally published in The Press Enterprise The horrific killing of at least 132 schoolchildren and nine adults by the Taliban in Pakistan saddens me tremendously as a parent, a Muslim and a son of Pakistani immigrants. There is no place for this senseless violence. It must be condemned in the strongest terms. The Pakistani government must come down hard on these cowards who are an embarrassment...
Originally published on Syraquse.com With the holidays around the corner, how must one feel when one moment they’re happily purchasing gourmet chocolate for their families, and the next they’re taken hostage and forced to hold up what is believed to be an ISIS flag. Because of such militant groups, there is an ongoing trend towards radicalization of youth around the world. As members...
This Muslim-American is pained, on the one hand, to witness violent extremism perpetrated in the name of Islam, for example, by the Islamic State group or Boko Haram, and on the other hand, to see noxious caricatures that defame the Prophet Muhammad drawn in public demonstrations by Islamophobes. Both entities are completely ignorant of the noble character of the prophet, who defended the rights...
The world mostly perceives Ramadan as a month of fasting during which committed Muslims engage in a religious ritual, abstaining from any form of eating and drinking from dawn to dusk every day for the entire month. Muslims who successfully accomplish the task also tend to see it as quite an accomplishment. However, the Holy Qur’an informs us that the act of fasting has a deeper and longer-term...
To the Times: I applaud the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in favor of Samantha Elauf and the right for Muslim women to have equal opportunity and be free from discrimination in the work place due to their choice of wearing the hijab. I believe this ruling upholds the American value of freedom of religion not just for Muslims but for adherents of all religions such as Jews who choose to wear...
Another “Draw the Prophet Muhammad” cartoon contest took place recently outside of a Phoenix mosque, followed by anti-Islam protests. The event organizer called for participants to wear T-shirts that cursed Islam and to bring firearms. I think freedom of speech is a beautiful thing in America, which should be given to all humans of the world. However, I do not understand why Islamaphobes continue...
I am an American, a graduate of Girls Preparatory School and I am also a Muslim. Today I pray for peace. The shooting that shook our town recently devastated us all. Regardless of our faith preferences, we are hurt by the pain of those killed for dedicating themselves to our country. The perpetrator of such a heinous crime had no religion — how could he, when he had no basic regard for humanity...
Originally Published in Time There’s an important history behind America’s free speech laws to which the anti-Islam hate group behind the “Draw Muhammad Contest,” is wholly ignorant. While the Islamophobe leading this hate group believes she’s a free speech champion,remarkably comparing herself to Rosa Parks, in reality America’s current free speech model developed as an attempt to protect — not...
Originally Published in Adviser and Source There is no question regarding the condemnation of the attacks in Garland, Texas. As an Ahmadi Muslim I believe whole heartedly in the sanctity of human life and reject violence, terror, and extremism. Interestingly though, Pamela Gellar continues to push the conversation to “Free Speech” and whether or not Islam would agree with it. I...
Originally Published in USA Today Two gunmen opened fire in Garland, Texas, Sunday, outside an event hosted by the American Freedom Defense Initiative. Cartoons of Mohammed were displayed. As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, I condemn the attacks wholeheartedly. The prophet in his lifetime repeatedly tolerated such abuse. However, the actions that provoked this atrocity also need to be...