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...
Originally published on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette I was extremely saddened and hurt when I found out about the attacks in Paris and Beirut, which resulted in the loss of more than 170 lives. The perpetrators did this under the guise of Islam and by loudly proclaiming “Allaho Akbar,” which literally means God is the greatest. But their actions were brutal, inhumane and of a very low standard. My...
Originally published In Pennsylvania Live Your attacks in Paris (and around the world) sicken me. My immense sadness at the innocent loss of life is rivaled only by the extreme anger I feel towards you. I don’t know where your funding is coming from that allows you to still function. But as a Muslim, I do know this – Your hatred and your violence is prohibited by the religion that you...
Originally Published in Huffington Post As I left my mosque in Philadelphia Friday afternoon my phone lit up with texts and tweets about attacks in Paris. Muslims have been conditioned on how to respond to these attacks. First, we feel pain for the loss of life. And most certainly my heart sank as I saw the horrific aftermath of the Paris attacks. Then, almost as quickly we hope the attackers...
Originally published in The Cross Timber Gazette On the evening of Friday, November 13th, nearly 130 people were brutally murdered in attacks in six separate sites across Paris, France. ISIS has claimed responsibility and President Francois Hollande has called the attack “an act of war.” The barbaric attack against innocent civilian lives in Paris, France is condemnable and we extend our...
Originally published in The Orange County Register Sadly, this is not the first or last time I write a letter to this paper, condemning another cowardly terrorist attack by a self-proclaimed Muslim organization. But here I am again, back at it. And I can never stop. For to be silent is to be disrespectful not just to the victims and their families, but to the religion of Islam itself. The voice...
Originally Posted on NY Daily News Lynwood, Wash.: At the time of the Prophet Muhammad, an old non-Muslim lady decided to embarrass him in public. She swept her house and put all the garbage in a basket and threw it on him as he walked past her house. Much to her disappointment, he did not utter a single word of retaliation. She decided to go on with this tradition every morning. One day, the...
Originally posted on The Express Tribune Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zafarullah Khan was one of the leading founding fathers of Pakistan. You know, the Pakistan Resolution that our national struggle was based on? He drafted it. He was the first foreign minister of Pakistan. He was known for his eloquent representation of Pakistan at the United Nations and is the only Pakistani to have served as the...
Originally published in The News and Observer People from all walks of life, irrespective of their race and political affiliations, partake in holiday activity this season through charitable giving and spending quality time with friends and family. Charitable giving and taking care of loved ones form the basis of both Christian and Islamic teachings. Despite the obvious doctrinal differences...
Originally published in The Charlotte Observer Social and political upheavals dominate the world news today. Innocent lives, property, and wealth are destroyed each year due to social, political, and racial tensions. According to the Bible and the Quran, this vicious cycle of violence in human society can be traced back as far as the time of Adam when Cain murdered his brother, Abel. Since then...