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...
Originally published in The Nation Chapel Hill massacre in North Carolina, where three young students were shot to death on Tuesday was a horrendous incident. To say that they were Muslim,the news would have some weight of discrimination, but the truth is they were. However, the question is has media given the news due coverage? The answer would be a no. I would like to know why? As a member of...
Originally published in San Francisco Chronicle
For decades, I have been a die-hard “NBC Nightly News” viewer and as such have repeated information reported by Brian Williams as fact. I am all about forgiveness as I realize that as a regular guy, he is subject to the same kind of minor embellishments as the rest of us. But not this time, not this kind, and not in his position.
Originally published in The Michigan Daily
I’ve always felt safe in America. Granted, growing up as a Muslim American in the post-9/11 era poses its challenges, but I’ve always maintained the “it won’t be me” mentality. That is, until Tuesday evening. The news reported that three innocent Muslim students were brutally murdered in their home near Chapel Hill, N.C.
Muslim students. Just like me...
Originally published in News & Observer All one has to do to see the beauty of Islam is to take a look at the lives of the three amazing young Muslims or the response and reaction from their families and Muslim community in the wake of the tragic slayings in Chapel Hill. Contrast this with every major news channel’s favorite depiction of Islam as a religion of hate and evil whose followers...
Originally published in The Houston Chronicle Regarding “Vigil honors 3 Muslim students shot to death in N. Carolina” (Page B1, Monday), what kind of resentment can cause someone to shoot 3 college students in the head as happened in the recent Chapel Hill shootings? Some say it was over a “parking dispute,” but the answer may lie in the growing Islamophobia in the...
Originally published in the Pak Tea House Given the sensitive subject of this article, let me begin with a brief introduction of myself. The reader may appreciate knowing ahead that I am an Ahmadi-Muslim. I was born in Pakistan to a family with some Ahmadis but mostly Sunni-orthodox. I have lived and worked in Pakistan for many years. Currently, I reside in the United States of America. Today, I...
Originally published in The Baltimore Sun Black History month is an important time to commemorate the accomplishments of blacks around the world; it is also a time to remember and address the unresolved issues in our society dealing with race. Last year highlighted several issues which, despite the successes of the Civil Rights movement, still plague our society. They include the disproportionate...
Originally published in The Eagle Fourteen years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America, the wounds still run deep among the citizens of this country. Today, millions will mourn the 2,977 individuals who died and the many families affected. If we want to remember the people hurt by these barbaric acts, it is important we as a people take part in charitable acts to serve as tribute to all the...