Originally published on “The Jewish Chronicle” Since Donald J. Trump has been sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, skepticism and uncertainty have enshrouded many Americans, especially American Muslims, for what to expect next. Executive orders to prevent refugees from seven Muslim majority countries have resulted in outrage from the American public and human rights...
Originally Published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer on March 10th, 2017 NORTH CANTON, Ohio — It’s easier to blur the lines about what is and what isn’t acceptable speech about a certain group of people if they are just an abstract concept. This situation prevails in America, in which, when some individuals refer to Muslims, they are speaking not about real people but ideas...
Originally Published in Sentinel & Enterprise Hundreds of tombstones were vandalized in a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia over the weekend. Hearing about this was both shocking and upsetting. As a Muslim American, I condemn this cowardly act and pray that the culprits be brought to justice. With the wave of bomb threats to Jewish centers and this recent horrific act, we will stand by our...
Originally Published in “The Middletown Press” By Miyan Zahir Muhammad Mannan As an Ahmadiyya Muslim American, I wholeheartedly extend my prayers, condolences, solidarity and support to my Jewish brothers and sisters amid rising anti-Semitism and another condemnable attack. The despicable onslaught on the Jewish community has this time come in the heartbreaking form of destruction and...
Originally published in “The Citizens’ Voice” By Arsalan Ahmad Khan Hate crimes in the U.S. have seen an increase in the recent months following the election of President Trump. A hate crime is defined as abuse against a group or individual based on religious views or racial ethnic background. This increase includes heinous acts against people belonging to Jewish communities and...
“And keep thyself attached to those who call on their Lord, morning and evening, seeking His pleasure; and let not thy eyes pass beyond them, seeking the adornment of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his evil inclinations, and his case exceeds all bounds” (Holy Quran, Chapter of the Cave [18]: Verse 29). The Ahmadiyya...
Originally Published on Beliefnet by Zahir Mannan A Lesson for President Trump from Prophet Muhammad & Islamic History What’s it like being Ahmadi Muslim Americans amid divisive Executive Orders in the month dedicated to Black History? Simply put, it’s a calling! Islam’s spiritual father, the immaculate Prophet Muhammad, Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, “sent as the mercy unto all the...
Originally published in TIME (Nov 10, 2016) One of the high marks of Islam that Prophet Muhammad taught is that loyalty to your country is part of your faith. I can sympathize with the anger and fear that many have about a Donald Trump presidency: I’m a person of color; I’m a Muslim; I have young children. But these are the cards we’ve been dealt, and we need to find ways to continue working to...
Originally Published in The Hill © Getty Images President Trump has vowed to accomplish what the previous two administrations since 9/11 have not been able to: “eradicate” radicalism and terrorism “from the face of the earth.” If he is sincere, he would need to discover what the previous administrations may have overlooked: a strategy addressing the radical ideologies and regimes that suppress...
Originally Published in Patheos In 2016, we witnessed an unprecedented level of violence against citizens. Men and women who have sworn to defend the community during day and night as well as adverse weather conditions tragically lost their lives in the line of duty. At unprecedented rates, civilians with no training or possession of firearms lost their lives at the hands of some law enforcement...