Originally Posted on The Huffington Post And so as we lay 26 innocent souls to rest, we ask yet again — for the 19th time in the past 60 months alone — is this the America we envisioned? Please spare me the “it isn’t the right time to talk about gun laws” talking point. In fact, the right time was much earlier — like after Oak Creek, Boulder, or after...
Originally Published in The Huffington Post Last week, I was taking pictures at my son’s elementary school’s winter concert. The kindergartners were dressed as elephants, monkeys and other animals; my son was wearing the zebra costume. The children were singing; the parents were clapping. It was like watching The Lion King on Broadway. Then on Friday, as I was getting those pictures...
Originally Published in The Washington Post As we prepare to lay 26 souls to rest in Newtown, Conn., countless are left behind, alone. As long as good people have existed, bad things have happened to them. And as long as religion has existed, believers and non-believers alike rightfully ask, “Why does God let bad things happen to good people?” Islam’s answer to the question of suffering does not...
Originally published in The Hartford Favs The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA offers its deepest condolences and sorrows to the families and friends affected by this tragedy. As Americans, we mourn with our fellow citizens at the senseless violence and loss of life. As Muslims, we believe all human life is sacred, and that to take one life is to take all humanity. Therefore, we condemn this...
Originally published in Cincinatti.com Originally published in Cincinatti.com On Sunday I saw some pictures of the Sandy Hook Elementary victims. The thought of the killer shooting at these little angels multiple times brings me devastating grief. I cannot imagine what must have been their last thought. No religion promotes such barbaric acts. I am glad that the killer’s religion—if he even had...
Originally Published on the Jsonline.com A chord has struck with every parent in America – and possibly the world – after the Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting in Connecticut. Like all other parents, I find myself thinking, “It could have been my child.” We need to make laws that will thwart this brutal violence against our kids and society in general, but...
In wake of the Taliban’s attempt on Malala Yusufzai, Pakistani journalist Kunwar Khuldune Shahid wrote an article in Pakistan Today. It was nothing short of a diatribe on ideology and conduct propagated against religion but Islam in particular. Mr. Shahid’s reaction is immature and underwritten by emotion. It is thus important to take a measured perspective. No doubt people have waged wars...
Originally Published on the Hartfordfavs.com It’s truly “beginning to look a lot like Christmas” not only for Christians but for believers of many faiths! Although Christmas may not be observed similarly or even called the same throughout Christianity, Islam, or Judaism, its essence is certainly shared by all this time of year. With Christmas and Hanukkah already...
Originally Published on the Hartfordfavs.com On Thanksgiving, this Muslim American gave thanks for enjoying religious freedom in America. The first pilgrims to the New World, the Puritans, wearing their traditional bonnets and trousers, fled an intolerant Europe. Today, in places like France, Muslim women are banned from wearing headscarves in public places. constantly escaping into the...
Originally Published on Thebaltimoresun.com There are a growing number of conflicts worldwide, fighting in Syria, unrest in Egypt, and increasing tension in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict among them. As more and more countries become involved, a real possibility exists that things can get worse for everyone. This holiday season, I believe it is important for countries to stop and think...