Originally published in Delaware County Daily Times As I look around, I see our youth deteriorating day by day and wonder what the future will be like. School shootings are increasing, teenagers are having babies, teenage violence is rising, the amount of drugs used by our kids is increasing and test scores are falling. What has happened to our youth? Why do our kids look up to Kobe Bryant and...
Originally published in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette February is Black History Month. This month provides us an opportunity to recognize the contribution of black Americans to American history. We should appreciate their role in making America what it is today. As a Muslim imam, I reflect on Prophet Muhammad’s teaching, “One who is not thankful to his fellow human being is not thankful to God at all.”...
Originally Published in Abury Park Press Today, the general public views the religion of Islam with malevolence. I have experienced this myself as a 14-year-old Ahmadi Muslim, living in the suburbs of New Jersey. My mother and sister both cover themselves in public, and I pray five times every day. Because of these practices, people look upon Muslims such as myself as different. The attack on...
Originally published in Enjoy Ohio Now that it is Black History Month, we cannot forget about the cruel racism and slavery that had resided in our world once. As a Muslim American, I find interesting Islam’s teachings in relation to racial equality. The Holy Prophet of Islam once stated that “a white has no superiority over a black, just as a black has no superiority over a white.” From our...
Originally published in Las Vegas Sun A white has no superiority over a black nor does a black have any superiority over a white except by piety and good action. These were the words of Prophet Muhammad during his farewell address. He not only taught Muslims to not discriminate based on race, but also showed it from his own example by assigning Bilal, an ex-slave, the critical duty of making the...
Originally published in Queens Press I am an American Ahmadi Muslim middle school student. I was born in America and will never leave it. I love this country, America, because this country is my homeland. For me, loving my homeland is like loving my mother. Loving my country is part of my faith. This is the teaching of my beloved religion, Islam. Islam not only teaches to love your motherland but...
Originally published in The Cap Times The civil war in Syria is in its third year. The war between government loyalists and rebels has claimed some 130,000 lives and displaced millions more. This is in complete discord with the Quran which states: “and create not disorder in the Earth.” Islam teaches us that a peaceful solution can be found in negotiations and in democracy. In the...
Originally published in Times Dispatch In 2000, I was an ignorant 18-year-old kid. Upon a visit to South Africa 13 years ago this month, I had no idea who Nelson Mandela was. One morning my father and I visited Robben Island. That day changed my life forever. I learned of a man who spent 27 years in prison only for freedom of conscience. I learned of a man whose prison cell was so small that he...
Originally published in Butler Eagle I have dedicated my life for the service of God and mankind and have recently been appointed as the imam (missionary) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Pittsburgh Chapter. We are located at 747 South Ave. Religion, if followed and practiced correctly, can bring peace and harmony to society. It can have a positive impact on the minds of the people. Islam today...
Originally published in New York Daily News Jamaica Hills: I am an 11-year-old American Ahmadi Muslim. My parents are from Bangladesh, and I am in sixth grade. It has been quite an experience growing up in post-9/11 America with my background. In the fifth grade, every time the topics Islam, Muslims, 9/11 or the World Trade Center were brought up, everyone, including the teacher, would stare at...