Originally published in The Cleveland The attacks perpetrated on Paris were done by Muslims, not followers of Islam. Doesn’t make sense? Of course, the literal definition of a Muslim is a follower of Islam. But anybody can claim to be Muslim, even if they have never read the Koran. If my holy scripture tells me not to kill others, am I following that book? Obviously, not. So when a person...
Originally Published in The Huffington Post In the wake of the recent Paris attacks, new atheist writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali is screaming out at her loudest again. “Islam needs reform,” she insists. But is she right? We must understand that Muslims are not a monolith. They come in all colors and sects. I, for instance, identify with the Ahmadiyya sect of Islam. The Ahmadiyya Muslim...
Originally Published in Patheos There are millions of Syrian refugees who are longing for a glimmer of hope to breathe freely, to live a respectable life and to be able to give their children a better future than the dismal situation they find themselves in. A single act of insanity like the French attack may jeopardize the chances of millions of legitimate refugees who are searching for a better...
Originally posted on The Buffalo News I have previously written in this space condemning radical and cowardly attacks. Again, with deep sorrow and frustration, we see that ISIS recently massacred nearly 170 people in attacks on the cities of Beirut and Paris one day apart. And this will not be the last time. Radicalization and its eerie reach are getting worse, and beating back this terribly...
Originally posted on SJR I just turned the TV on after coming home from a weekend spent in New Jersey with Muslim Youth Leaders around the country who came together to discuss how to stop radicalization, how to #StopTheCrISIS — and my heart almost exploded with pain when CBS 60 Minutes played an interview of one of the victims who was shot during the Paris attacks, but lived to talk about it. As...
Originally posted on The Charlotte Observer Another day, another terrorist attack orchestrated by the perverted group called ISIS. The religion to which I adhere, Islam, stands for peace. It is once again under the media spotlight for all the wrong reasons. How could ISIS justify the Paris attack, which killed nearly 150 innocent souls, and the Beirut bombing last week as Islamic while the Quran...
Originally posted on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzete With their despicable acts of terror inflicted on innocent Parisians, the Islamic State group is trying to suck more and more countries into the war in Syria. These cowardly terrorists have not only taken the lives of 129 people but also have taken peace out of the lives of 129 families. I wish and pray that God may grant patience to the bereaved...
Originally posted on Philly As a Muslim American, I am saddened to hear the news of the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris. ISIS has claimed responsibility. In addition to the loss of innocent lives, I am saddened that members of ISIS attribute their act to Islam. They must deeply reflect on the Quran: “Whosoever killed a person . . . it shall be as if he had killed all mankind.”...
Originally posted on The Bronx Chronicle UCLA law professor, Mr. Amjad Mahmood Khan decries the popular perception in today’s 24 hours news cycle and social media that associate Islam with acts of terrorism. These acts, he noted, were disproportionately emphasized and singled out a recent New York Times report that suggested that after 2001, non-Muslim extremists than by radical Muslims killed...
Originally published on the Statesman As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I emigrated to the United States fleeing religious persecution in Pakistan. I am blessed and thankful for the freedom and liberties which the U.S. provides to me. Therefore, I find Gov. Abbott’s refusal to accept any Syrian refugees morally wrong and against the American values of fairness, justice and compassion...