When Charlie Hebdo’s editor, Laurent Sourisseau, announced a few days ago that the he would no longer draw cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, I wondered how the self-proclaimed champions of “free speech” would react to this statement. In a couple of days time,Daniel Payne came out with a clamorous article, titled “If Charlie Hebdo Won’t Draw Muhammed, Who Will?”...
Several states have appropriately beefed up security at military recruitment centers in the wake of the Chattanooga shooting tragedy. This Muslim-American would add that the best way to counter the threat of radicalization (of any group) is to inculcate the golden values of loyalty and common respect. That’s why a bulk of the youth of my Ahmadiyya Muslim Community joined in parades across...
As a member of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I condemn the attack on the event hosted by American Freedom Defense Initiative in Garland, Texas, where the cartoons of Prophet Muhammad were displayed. As a Muslim living in the U.S., I also bring to question the intent of the organization hosting this event. If the intent was to dishonor Prophet Muhammad, then I ask, how does one dishonor a man with...
Roughly 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide will be celebrating the end of Ramadan today. After a month of fasting, prayer and self-restraint, Muslims will come together for the festivities of Eid-ul-Fitr. This festival celebrates the spiritual enhancements and nearness to God that was attained during the past month. Muslims, out of love and devotion their fellow man, spent the entire month of Ramadan...
Pamela Geller has drawn some outrageous conclusions about Islam and Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in response to an article by a member of that community. I have pointed out some factual inconsistencies of Ms. Geller’s statements. I am exclusively submitting this piece for your consideration for publication. I am a member of Muslim Writers Guild of America and my work has previously been published...
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, where Muslims from across the globe fast from dusk till dawn, began this month. I will be one of the many proud Muslims enjoying the spiritual and physical blessings of this month. In addition to personal gains, Ramadan is a month of sacrifice and service to our fellow man. “The Holy Prophet (saw) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to...
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims from across the globe fast from dusk till dawn, began last week. I will be one of the many proud Muslims enjoying the spiritual and physical blessings of this month. In addition to personal gains, Ramadan is a month of sacrifice and service to our fellow man. “The Holy Prophet (saw) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to...
Originally published on Philly.com My prayers go out to all those affected by the tragic hostage crisis in Australia on Monday (“Sydney hostage crisis ends in gunfire; 3 dead,” Dec. 16). As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) USA, I strongly condemn such acts. Such acts against peace and humanity have no place in the fold of Islam. Because of this, the AMYA has...
On June 19, over 10 million Muslims in America began observing the holy month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the month in which the holy book of Islam, the Holy Qur’an, was revealed. During Ramadan, able-bodied Muslims fast from dusk till dawn in an effort to reflect and pray. However, one of my most favorite aspects of Ramadan is the charitable spirit that spreads through communities. Observers are...
Originally published in The Press Enterprise The horrific killing of at least 132 schoolchildren and nine adults by the Taliban in Pakistan saddens me tremendously as a parent, a Muslim and a son of Pakistani immigrants. There is no place for this senseless violence. It must be condemned in the strongest terms. The Pakistani government must come down hard on these cowards who are an embarrassment...