Originally published in the Baltimore Sun I am appalled by the disclosures of the CIA’s torture report on the treatment of suspected terrorist detainees (“Report condemns CIA over torture,” Dec. 10). Not only does the treatment defy the Geneva Conventions to which we subscribe, they undermine our moral standing as a nation. I thought that such actions were beneath our dignity...
Originally publish in the New Haven Register Halloween was over a month ago — a day to revel over ghoulish characters and hideous images. And now we are supposed to be in a season of merry. These days, though, it seems like scenes reminiscent of Halloween continue to haunt us. The latest dread is the report released last Tuesday by the Senate Intelligence Committee about the CIA’s use of torture...
Originally published on InsideNova This letter is in response to a story on InsideNoVa.com entitled “Possible ISIS leaflets found in town of Quantico.” Over the past year, there are many examples of youth being attracted by extremists such as ISIS. As a member of Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA), it is clear that we need to offer Islamic solution to this problem of...
Originally published in Faith Street I remember having to explain to my then three-year-old why the Taliban shot Malala. It was a difficult conversation because he loves Malala, but it was easy to explain why killing is wrong and that the Taliban is evil. The world condemned the Taliban and, thankfully, Malala survived. So when my now-five-year-old asked me why “they” killed Eric Garner, and why...
Originally Published in CDA Press 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...
Originally Published in USA Today Two gunmen opened fire in Garland, Texas, Sunday, outside an event hosted by the American Freedom Defense Initiative. Cartoons of Mohammed were displayed. As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, I condemn the attacks wholeheartedly. The prophet in his lifetime repeatedly tolerated such abuse. However, the actions that provoked this atrocity also need to be...
Originally Published in The Austin Chronicle Dear Editor, The shooting outside an event in Garland where people were asked to draw cartoons of Prophet Muhammad should be condemned by all. Islam does not condone any punishment for blasphemy. In fact, during the Prophet Muhammad’s life, people hurled all kinds of abuse at him yet he bore it with patience and forgave them all. Those who act against...
Originally Published in The Press-Enterprise Re: “Gunmen killed at Muhammad cartoon contest” [News, May 4]: The shootings in Garland, Texas, show the ugly sides of extremism on both ends. To promote hateful abuse in the name of free speech is out of bounds, and to counter this with deadly violence is counterproductive and demeaning to the very prophet being defended. As a Muslim, I believe free...
Originally published in Citizen Times As an American Muslim, I find it increasingly necessary for me to practice and advocate the true teachings of Islam. In the wake of several isolated incidences of “lone wolf” terrorism inspired by ISIS, there is a greater need to bring to the forefront Islamic solutions to the problem of radicalization of youth. To this effect, the Ahmadiyya...
Originally published in The Daily Reflector In light of several attacks that took place on June 26, I find it only appropriate to condemn these actions to the utmost. In France, there was an explosion in a factory followed by the discovery of a severed head with Arabic writing on it. In Tunisia, gunmen killed nearly 40 tourists at an oceanfront hotel. In Kuwait, an ISIS attack killed 25...