Originally published in New Haven Register “All is fair in love and war.” Sixteenth century English poet John Lyly’s famous proverb means that the rules of fairness don’t count under special circumstances. In more recent times, you might remember the famous line “by any means necessary” that Malcolm X used to describe his view on the civil rights movement. The...
Originally published in The Huffington Post In her recent piece, “7 Things That May Surprise You About Muhammad,” author Lesley Hazleton offers unique insights into Prophet Muhammad’s life. Giving credit where it is due, I’ve enjoyed Hazleton’s TED talk on Prophet Muhammad, and many of her writings on Islam. In fairness, however, several of her “7 Things”...
Originally published in TribStar Congratulations to President Obama for winning the election. As a Muslim, Islam, justice and peace are synonymous. Justice and peace are the building blocks for any successful society. A society in which free thought is hindered goes against the principles of Islam and democracy. The Qur’an says, “There is no compulsion in religion.” 2:256. Democracy, without...
Originally Published in the Duluth News Tribune We talked about Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Ordean East Middle School. Half a century ago, Dr. King devoted his life to one dream. He wanted black people to live equally with white people. In his time, white people were considered superior to blacks, and he wanted to change that. As an American Muslim, I think this is an example of the true Jihad...
Originally Published in The Huffington Post and The Washington Post Pakistan went through a Rosa Parks moment on Jan. 10 when twin bombings killed more than 100 members of the persecuted Shiite Muslim sect. The families refused to bury their kin. They protested — in subfreezing temperatures — by sitting next to the dead bodies for four days, demanding the ouster of the provincial...
Originally published in The Patriot News I am an American Muslim, and I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. I congratulate President Obama and pray for the success of our nation. It is uplifting to witness another peaceful election, something many other nations struggle to achieve. Deadly coup détats and riots. Violent uprisings and revolts. For much of the...
Originally published on statesman.com The democratic process is the election of a representative by a people. As a Muslim American, I support the peaceful democratic process of our recent election. Electing a leader, or voting for one, is the responsibility of every citizen. After the election, however, this responsibility shifts to the shoulders of the elected. In this light, President...
Originally Published in The Washington Post While many celebrated the winter holidays, news broke of the arrest in Saudi Arabia of liberal writer Turki Al Hamad for allegedly insulting Islam on Twitter. We also heard of another Saudi activist, Raif Badawi, who was arrested in June and will now continue with his trial, accused of apostasy for ridiculing Saudi Arabia’s religious police and making...
Originally Published in the Dailyherald.com Living in this beautiful country grants us freedom. But unfortunately, the land of the free isn’t free of horrific tragedies. The senseless and brutal killings of innocent people at the elementary school in Connecticut has shocked and saddened the entire nation. The lone gunman took his own life after taking 26 others, that included 20...
Originally published in MyCentralJersey The thought that I could have been at that New York City subway station on Dec. 30 terrifies me. I am a 15-year-old Pakistani-American, just the reason I could have been dead. I love this country in every way. Lately, I have been noticing that a lot of people have been expressing their hate for other American communities and nothing is being done to...