Originally published in the Hudson Hub-Times A few weeks ago, I and more than a billion Muslims started fasting for the month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, adult Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The main purpose is to gain God consciousness and sincerity in our faith. However, as the days of Ramadan have passed, I continue to gain empathy for those for whom food is a luxury. It is now even more...
Originally published in Montgomery Media, Philadelphia Inquirer and The Washington Times Ramadan is a time for prayer and self-reflection for Muslims around the world. However, as I end my second week of Ramadan, looking at the news stories I can’t help but ask, “Where are the real Muslims?” There is a Muslim who is claiming to be the Caliph of Islam, but his followers will kill anyone who does...
Originally published in Springfield Republican On July 15, Imtiaz Ahmad was shot and killed in front of his shop in Nawabshah, Pakistan. Mr. Ahmad, 38, passed away while being rushed to the hospital. He leaves behind his father, wife and three children. The death of this innocent man is sadly not uncommon in Pakistan, where murder based on religious outlook is all but legally justified. Mr. Ahmad...
Originally published in the Huffington Post The terrorist organization ISIS has set a new low standard of barbarity and inhumanity. Their most recent act of terrorism is a demand that Christians either convert, pay the jizya, leave their homes, or be killed. Their destruction of an 1800-year-old church in Mosul is painful, condemnable without exception, and wholly in violation of every...
Originally published in The Northwestern “I solemnly pledge that I shall always be ready to sacrifice my life, wealth, time and honor for the sake of my faith, country and nation.” These are the monumental words that Ahmadi Muslim youth, whether male or female, profess as part of their pledge to their faith all across the United States of America. There are thousands of Ahmadi Muslim youth that...
Originally published in the Daily Reflector The month of Ramadan is celebrated by more than a billion Muslims across the globe and millions within the United States. Believers abstain from food and water from sun up to sundown. This practice ordained by the Holy Qu’ran instills in Muslims the empathy for the many poor that don’t have the luxury of three square meals a day. Having felt the pangs...
Originally published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer In response to the Boston Tea Party, King George III ordered a blockade of Boston Harbor. Concerned by the anticipated economic strain, our Founding Fathers turned, not to arms or protest, but to God. In the summer of 1774, Thomas Jefferson drafted a “Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer” resolution. And so, on June 1, 1774, among...
Originally published in the Daily Caller This Ramadan I had the opportunity to attend the White House Iftar. And yes, it was an opportunity — one I embraced. Meanwhile, many Muslim leaders nationwide protested the Iftar, openly calling for a boycott. Some actively rejected Iftar invitations, citing the unjust war in Iraq, the unjust detentions of Muslims in Guantanamo Bay, the unjust siege on...
Originally published in A Hotchpotch Hijabi in Italy The terrorist organization ISIS has set a new low standard of barbarity and inhumanity. Their most recent act of terrorism is a demand that Christians either convert, pay the jizya, leave their homes, or be killed. Nothing in Islam or Prophet Muhammad’s example supports ISIS’s barbarity. The below modified excerpt from my...
Originally published in Patheos Despite the divisions and sectarianism in the Muslim world today, certain beliefs are still universal. For example, all Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad is Khaatam un Nabiyyin. All Muslims believe the Quran is the perfect and final book, revealed by Allah to Prophet Muhammad. And all Muslims believe that the Quran was first revealed in the blessed month of...