Originally published on statesman.com The democratic process is the election of a representative by a people. As a Muslim American, I support the peaceful democratic process of our recent election. Electing a leader, or voting for one, is the responsibility of every citizen. After the election, however, this responsibility shifts to the shoulders of the elected. In this light, President...
Originally Published in The Finger Lakes Times I never got a chance to meet the Sandy Hook 20. But if I had, I’d ask about their favorite food, their goals, their views on the world, what makes them laugh, and if they were happy. I’d tell them that if Jesus met them, he’d remind them they belong to “the kingdom of God,” if Muhammad met them he’d hug them, if Buddha...
Originally Published in the Northwest Herald In Taft, Calif., we are yet again faced with yet another school shooting less than a month after the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary. Fortunately, this time, I don’t need to write to the victims’ families to offer my prayers for their loss. However, it only solidifies the fact that now is the time to talk about gun control. I’m not suggesting...
Originally Published in the The News Star As an American Muslim, I support the democratic process and congratulate President Barack Obama on winning re-election. I extend my best wishes that President Obama can help keep his campaign promises. The president has a challenging job which comes with immense responsibility. He must uphold the rule of law, adhere to justice, and promote global peace...
Originally Published in The Washington Post While many celebrated the winter holidays, news broke of the arrest in Saudi Arabia of liberal writer Turki Al Hamad for allegedly insulting Islam on Twitter. We also heard of another Saudi activist, Raif Badawi, who was arrested in June and will now continue with his trial, accused of apostasy for ridiculing Saudi Arabia’s religious police and making...
Originally Published in the Dailyherald.com Living in this beautiful country grants us freedom. But unfortunately, the land of the free isn’t free of horrific tragedies. The senseless and brutal killings of innocent people at the elementary school in Connecticut has shocked and saddened the entire nation. The lone gunman took his own life after taking 26 others, that included 20...
Originally published in MyCentralJersey The thought that I could have been at that New York City subway station on Dec. 30 terrifies me. I am a 15-year-old Pakistani-American, just the reason I could have been dead. I love this country in every way. Lately, I have been noticing that a lot of people have been expressing their hate for other American communities and nothing is being done to...
Originally Published in The Patriot News As I walked into the New York subway, I read an ad on the wall that quoted the Quran “Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers” with a picture of the Twin Towers burning beside it. Had the Al-Qaeda taken over? No, rather, this was an Islamophobic hate ad. America was founded on religious freedom for all, yet recently in a...
Originally Published in Montgomery News and Phillyburbs.com What is the best way to achieve world peace? With President Obama’s inauguration ceremony right around the corner, scholars will propose what the president should do, indirectly answering the question above. As a Muslim-American, I want to first congratulate the president on his re-election and pray that he will lead the nation...
Originally Published in WashingtonPost.com & HuffiingtonPost.com Let me guess: A flu-like illness afflicted you or someone you know in the past two weeks. What else would you expect? CDC is now reportingwidespread Influenza (flu) activity in more than 41 states. Since the virus infects blacks and whites, gays and straight, Christians and Muslims — indiscriminately — it kills...