Originally published in Dallas Morning News Fourteen years ago on Sept. 11, 2001, a tragedy shook the foundations of not only buildings, but of society worldwide. A generation has been raised in a decade of two wars and violent conflicts. Islamophobia has also affected innocent children and families across Western civilization. In the confusion regarding the tenants of Islam, a new movement took...
Originally published in The Boston Globe MY HEART sank as I received dreadful news that three innocent Muslim students had been murdered by Craig Hicks, a vocal anti-theist. Being a Muslim, I suddenly began to question my safety from such a hate crime. Although the motive of the culprit is still unknown, it goes without saying that there is a rise in anti-Islam rhetoric in the US. For example...
Originally published in The Boston Globe AS A Muslim American, I am tired of the double standard when it comes to media coverage of violence not committed by “Muslims.” If Craig Stephen Hicks was a Muslim and the three victims were white, the headlines would be filled with “Muslims” and “terrorist.” But no, this execution-style killing of three students in their home was due to a “parking dispute...
Originally published in Dawn A group of Muslims in Norway plans to form a ‘ring of peace’ around a synagogue in Oslo on Saturday, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday. The newspaper quoted a Facebook page in Norwegian language, the translated version of which is shared below: Islam is about protecting our brothers and sisters, regardless of which religion they belong to. Islam is about...
Originally published in The Huffington Post Anti-Islam personalities can demonstrate glaring hypocrisy. On one hand they scream “where are the moderate Muslims and why aren’t they condemning ISIS terrorism?” When Muslims the world over condemn ISIS in word and deed, the first ones to object are ironically anti-Islam personalities. “ISIS is just as legitimate as...
Originally published in The Huffington Post This weekend, fliers threatening Muslims with mass murder were left at an MBTA station minutes from my home in Revere, Massachusetts. The warning on the fliers: Muslims in America be ready to face death if ISIS did not surrender within the following three days, as if Muslim Americans command and control the actions of the terrorist group. This incident...
Originally published in Taylor & Francis Online
Originally published in The Baltimore Sun As an Ahmad Muslim, I believe Islam condemns terrorism and that there is no room for any violence in the name of blasphemy. The Qur’an constantly exhorts people to think while also telling Muslims to ignore the ignorant and provocative, not harm them. The Holy Prophet Muhammad faced insults and ridicule throughout his life yet never punished anyone...
Originally posted in Portland Tribune Nearly 200 members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association recently traveled to London in a historic trip to meet with the Khalifa of Islam. Unlike many news stories today depicting radicalized youth traveling abroad, the story of these young men was far different. They met with the head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mizra Masroor Ahmad. Ahmad has been...
Originally posted in The Northwestern On April 15, Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam members in Oshkosh, opened their doors to the community to gather and find out more about Islam. Our topic was “Demystifying Islam”. The very purpose was to allow for an open dialogue and invite any questions, especially the ones termed “Difficult”. By any estimation of how to gauge the success of a gathering, it was a...