Originally published in The Washington Post My gift on Mother’s Day is pretty standard: dinner and flowers. However, I’m reminded of what the prophet of Islam said: “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother.” Perhaps I can do more year-round rather than on just one day. Maybe I can help her with her daily chores. Maybe I can visit her more often so that she can enjoy time with her grandchildren...
Originally published in The Star Tribune Mother’s Day is approaching fast, and I haven’t done anything about it yet. While there are plenty of last-minute Mother’s Day sales, it’s hard to find that right gift that can truly thank my mother for all that she has done for me. Growing up, my mother would tell me that the prophet Mohammed once said that a child would never be able to fully repay his...
Originally published in Montgomery News Once again, unfortunately, there has been senseless violence against our nation’s youth in the recent stabbings at Franklin Regional High School. This time, the violence occurred in our home state of Pennsylvania. First and foremost, I would like to extend condolences to the families of those that were hurt by this tragic event. With God’s mercy, there were...
Originally published in Pittsburgh Gazette As a Muslim, I was shocked to read that a so-called Muslim group in Nigeria, Boko Haram, which literally translates to “Western education [is a] sin,” recently committed the heinous act of abducting more than 200 schoolgirls in the Chibok region. Compare the group’s radical message to the actual teachings of Islam’s founder, the Prophet Muhammad, who...
Originally published in The Times Leader Dinner and flowers; I think my gift on Mother’s Day is pretty standard. However, I’m reminded of what the prophet of Islam has said: “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother.” Perhaps I can do more year round rather than on only one day. Maybe I can help her do some of her daily chores. Maybe I can visit her more often, so she can enjoy time with...
Originally published in Philadelphia News Dinner and flowers: I think my gifts for Mother’s Day are pretty standard. However, I’m reminded of what the prophet of Islam has said: “Paradise lies at the feet of your mother.” Perhaps I can do more year-round rather than on just one day. Maybe I can help her do some of her daily chores. Maybe I can visit her more often so she...
Originally published in MySanAntonio Re: “No target, motive ID’d yet in Pennsylvania school stabbings,” Nation, April 12: As an American-born Pakistani Muslim, I am all too familiar with the violence in Pakistan. But when an event of such violence occurs in this nation, it can be even more upsetting. It is with the heaviest of hearts that I extend my condolences to all those affected by the...
Originally published in The Duluth News Tribune On April 9 a terrible incident occurred at a Pennsylvania high school. A teenage boy wielding two kitchen knives went on a stabbing rampage and injured 21 people, including 20 students and one adult. I would like to extend my sincere condolences to all those who were harmed because of this tragedy. At the same time, I also would like to commend all...
Originally published in The Press Enterprise April 15, 2013, was a day like any other, until I saw a notification that a bombing had occurred in Boston. I read the depressing details and realized how close to the heart this disaster had occurred. The Boston Marathon bombing tragedy hit rather close to home due to the fact that the bombers claimed they were Muslim and it occurred in my native...
Originally published in Montgomery News and The Intelligencer Once again, unfortunately, there has been senseless violence against our nation’s youth in the recent stabbings at Franklin Regional High School. This time, the violence occurred in our home state of Pennsylvania. First and foremost, I would like to extend condolences to the families of those that were hurt by this tragic event. With...