Originally Published in The Press Enterprise Ahmadiyya Muslim Community L.A. East Chapter, Baitul Hameed Mosque: Thanksgiving is a truly special holiday because it transcends religious differences and allows us all to celebrate a common value: gratitude. Islam, in particular, is grossly misrepresented by groups like al-Qaida and ISIS. These groups preach hate and forceful conversion. As an Ahmadi...
Originally published in the Longview News-Journal Muslims all over the world each year celebrate Eid ul Adha (the feast of sacrifice) to remember when the patriarch Abraham symbolically sacrificed a ram instead of his son to fulfill the commandment of his Creator. Muslims are commanded to remember this day by sacrificing animals and sharing the meat with family, neighbors, and the poor. God...
Originally published in News & Observer Many differences, but linked by a Nobel Prize”: Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi won the 2014 Noble Peace Prize for championing the importance of education. Along with billions of Muslims around the world, I congratulate this incredible achievement. In light of all the violence and discord that has arisen in the Middle East, it is beautiful to see...
Originally published in the Las Vegas Sun he Islamic State has been making headlines since last year. The group is known for coercion, kidnapping and ruthless public beheadings of innocent civilians, all in the name of creating a caliphate across Iraq and Syria. Furthermore, the Islamic State generates revenue to achieve its vicious goals through extortion and robbery. As a practicing Muslim, I...
Originally published in the Orange County Register This weekend, Muslims around the world will be celebrating the Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, which concludes the ritual of Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) and celebrates events during the time of the patriarch prophet Abraham. During Eid, Muslims are enjoined to sacrifice animals in which one-third of the portion of meat is given to neighbors, one...
Originally published in the Tulsa World My Sept. 19 morning started off most joyfully as my wife was granted citizenship in a beautiful ceremony at the U.S. District Court in Muskogee. I hardly had a chance to appreciate this great privilege, when I saw the disturbing headline about a man in Moore, said to have been a Muslim convert, committing a most horrific act. My heart aches on hearing the...
Originally published in Dallas News Today Muslims will be celebrating Eid al-Adha. This holiday marks prophet Abraham’s symbolic sacrifice and the close of the hajj or the pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims are enjoined to sacrifice animals, and the meat is divided equally among the poor, neighbors and family members. The Quran emphasizes the feeding of the needy when it states, “Feed, for love of Him...
Originally published in NewsOK Regarding “Both sides due criticism in Oklahoma-Islam flap” (Your Views, Sept. 21): State Rep. John Bennett’s wholesale condemnation of Islam paints a negative picture of Oklahoma. That’s why I appreciated that The Oklahoman repudiated Bennett’s remarks. But I must take exception to one statement in the editorial: “CAIR and other Islamic groups should be more...
Originally published in the Canton Repository Despite what you might think about three of the world’s major religions — Judaism, Islam and Christianity — you might be to surprised to know that they all have much in common. They all find a common ancestor in the prophet Abraham. All the prophets linked to Judaism and also Jesus in Christianity are greatly revered and respected as prophets in...
Originally published in the Star Telegram As painful as it is to admit, the image of Islam in America is tainted. A heinous act 13 years ago by barbarians who claim to be Muslim will forever haunt not only the image of Islam, but America as a whole. Al Qaeda, the Islamic State, Boko Haram and any other terrorist organization claiming to represent Islam have dragged my beautiful religion through...