Originally posted in San Jose Mercury News Just miles away from Ground Zero, three Muslim men plotted to leave this country and join ISIL, the so-called “Islamic State.” As a Muslim, news like this is disheartening but it serves as a vivid reminder that radicalization, unfortunately, remains a pressing problem even in the United States. It is time for us to act, but more than just...
Originally posted on Huffington Post The so-called Islamic State (IS) continues to demonstrate the most barbaric and heinous forms of torture, killing of innocent people for the world to witness in horror. The recent killings of Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto of Japan, the burning alive of Jordanian pilot Moaz Kasasbeh and the cold-blooded killing of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya highlight the new...
Originally posted in Al-Talib An armada of thoughts clash against the mind, march in a cadre, colorfully interweave, and ultimately find confluence, architecting the very physics of a single, untamed noise, awaiting to spill against the silhouette of the subconscious. There it knocks on the heart in a faint, muffled concerto, hoping to be heard. A stroke of the pen beckons from the other side...
Originally posted in The Baltimore Sun Recently, a Sun poll asked readers whether “avoiding the phrase ‘Islamic extremism’ when referring to certain terrorist groups take[s] away their power as religious leaders, as the president contends?” (Feb. 19). There are about 1.6 billion Muslims in the world and a majority of them disagree strongly with the actions and ideologies...
Originally published in Statesman Re: Jan. 8 article, “One held in deadly raid on Paris satirical paper” The targeted and horrific attacks at the office of Charlie Hebdo have shocked us all. No matter how distasteful the satire may be, it does not give anyone the right to kill in retaliation. By committing this heinous crime, the killers have done little to defend the honor of Prophet...
Originally published in Houston Chronicle Regarding “Police hunt gunman who killed 12 at weekly” (Page A4, Thursday), as a Muslim-American, I condemn the reprehensible atrocities and extend my profound condolences to the families of these victims. While the perpetrators felt that the Charlie Hebdo newspaper had desecrated the image of the Prophet Muhammad, they responded by...
Originally published in Providence Journal We have just witnessed a horrific and inexcusable act of terror take place in Paris. Having close friends and family living in Paris, I am shaken to the core by the heinous attack by gunmen at the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo. As a Muslim, I unequivocally condemn this barbaric act that has nothing to do with the Islam I know and love. These terrorists...
Originally published in Onfaith Wednesday’s brazen attack in the offices of French magazine Charlie Hebdo has left many people the world over shocked, saddened, and even infuriated. As the smoke cleared and we learned that 12 people were killed at the hands of three individuals wearing commando uniforms who brandished automatic weapons that were fired indiscriminately at the office, we...
Originally published in Onfaith woke today to texts, emails, tweets, and Facebook messages of the horrific attack on Charlie Hebdo. The stabbing pain of innocent life lost resonated through my heart. These are volatile times, and this volatile situation only adds to the fire. As one of some 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide, the additional inescapable thought crossed my mind: “Please don’t let...
Originally published in Lansing State Journal When I heard about the horrific attack on a military school in Peshawar, I was deeply saddened at the progression of Taliban terrorism in Pakistan. But when I heard that they targeted and killed over 130 innocent children, I was speechless. How could anyone who claims membership of my own faith commit such an act of inhumanity? Especially with...