Originally Published in The Richmond Times-Dispatch The presidential debates are history, leaving us cherishing Big Bird, binders full of women and horses and bayonets. America’s future now rests in the voters’ hands. Yet, about 90 million of us won’t vote this November — a trend that stretches back for decades. Americans have not broken the 60 percent voter turnout barrier for...
Originally Published in The Oshkosh NorthWestern Every time I read to my three year old daughter, I am trying to increase her passion for education. I pray that one day she will use her education to make a real difference in the world by helping humanity achieve peace. I am pretty sure that the father of Malala Yousefzai – Pakistani teen activist – probably wanted the same for his...
Originally Published in The New York Post I am pleasantly surprised that the Pakistani police have taken a step forward by arresting suspects allegedly responsible for shooting the 14-year-old girl who courageously stood up to the Taliban in defense of her right to an education. The Pakistani police’s willingness to target the Taliban today is refreshing and is a step in the right direction. Saad...
Originally Published in The Washington Post and The Huffington Post Someone is missing from this picture. Because just when I was wondering if extremists could do anymore damage to Islam’s image, they committed yet another despicable act. As if flogging the adulterers, executing the civilians, and selling the women were not enough, on Oct. 8, the Taliban attempted to assassinate a 14-year...
Originally Published in The Washington Post As an American Muslim activist, I receive this question all too often: “America is about freedom, free speech, and democracy—why do Muslims hate us?” The question is not at all why they hate us, but why don’t we get it. Many of age Americans remember Sept. 11, 2001—a day we justly cried out for freedom, free speech, and democracy. Fewer, however...
Originally Posted on PakTeaHouse More than 40,000 civilians and 5,000 soldiers dead at the hands of religious fanatics leaves every Pakistani guessing – where did we go wrong? Can we point out any single day in our 65 year history which symbolizes our collective decision to surrender to the Mullah? Thirty eight years ago, on 7th of September 1974, the Parliament of Pakistan brazenly...
Originally Published in The Oshkosh Northwestern Pakistan recently arrested an 11 year old Christian girl with Down Syndrome for allegedly burning the Quran. Seen by religious zealots as justified, this heinous act is nothing more than an evil attack on humanity. Pakistan’s stance on Islamic principles is antithetical to the character of Prophet Muhammad. The Quran has given him the...
Originally Published in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Picture a wartime scenario of a family attempting to flee its home near Damascus, once considered the safest place in Syria. Picture a young girl hunkering down in her basement all day long because of incessant shelling. These tragic stories are becoming a typical part of an average Syrian’s life. But Syria can build internal and...
Originally Published in The New Haven Register A crime against one religious group is an attack upon all of us in America. It doesn’t matter if your background or birthplace is different. Every house of worship on American soil is sacred. So said our Founding Fathers. John Adams, for instance, wrote: “No subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for...
Originally Published in The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and The Oshkosh Northwestern I read with much sadness the account of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shooting in Oak Creek. It is particularly distressing when a sacred place of worship becomes the site of merciless killings. As an Ahmadi Muslim, the Sikh Temple shooting brings back haunting memories of the May 2010 barbaric attacks on Ahmadiyya...