Originally published in The BaltimoreSun.com Originally published in The BaltimoreSun.com As a Muslim, I am appalled by the Taliban’s recent attack on the Pakistani teenager Malala Yousefzai, a blogger and female education rights activist (“Outspoken teen shot,” Oct. 10). Islam is not only opposed to such senseless violence but obligates all believers to acquire knowledge. The...
Originally Published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer Although some may find it hard to believe, education and rights for women are championed in Islam. Fourteen-year-old nominee for the 2011 Children’s Nobel Peace Prize, Malala Yousafzai, is in serious condition from gunshot wounds and receiving medical treatment in the United Kingdom. Malala is known for her activism in promoting...
Originally Published in The New York Post I am pleasantly surprised that the Pakistani police have taken a step forward by arresting suspects allegedly responsible for shooting the 14-year-old girl who courageously stood up to the Taliban in defense of her right to an education. The Pakistani police’s willingness to target the Taliban today is refreshing and is a step in the right direction. Saad...
Originally Published in The New York Post and The Asbury Park Press Now we know what the Taliban are afraid of. Not of drone attacks or bombs, but of books. By their cowardly attack on Malala Yousufzai — a strong proponent of women education — they have indicated to us how we can defeat them. Rather than spending billions of American dollars on drone attacks, we should spend this money to build...
Originally Published in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. This 12 year old Muslim-American wants to know why an offensive movie was made against his holy founder the Prophet Muhammad. The film portrayed him as a warmonger, whereas he lived and taught peace and harmony. I belong to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, and we were very hurt by the news of the film. Instead of violent protest, however, we...
Originally Published in The Columbus Dispatch Recently, an anti-Islam film named Innocence of Muslims sparked violence in Muslim-dominated Libya, which led to the death of the U.S. ambassador to Libya. The intention of this film is strictly to provoke Muslims and incite rage. Muslims should not take the bait and should respond with civility. They should learn from the example of the Prophet...
Originally Published in The New Jersey Record. Regarding “Ads criticizing Muslim radicals go up in N.Y.C. subways” (Page A-7, Sept. 25): Anti-jihad ads that imply Muslims are “savage” have recently gone up on New York City subways. “Defeat Jihad” and “support the civilized man,” parts of the ad read. The advertisement is the brainchild of Pamela...
Originally Published in The Oshkosh Northwestern. Freedom of speech is understood to be a fundamental right and mutual respect of religious beliefs and figures is also a trait of civilized societies. One should not come at the expense of the other. A French newspaper’s crass attempt to highlight their freedom of speech seriously undermines interfaith relations. While violent protests in Islamic...
Originally Published in The Minnesota Daily. As a Muslim in the West, the killing of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and attacks on U.S. embassies in Northern Africa in response to a YouTube video points to a glaring lack of leadership in the Muslim world. Rather than teaching Muslim youth the true principles of Islam, religious clerics are increasingly quiet and unresponsive...
Originally Published in The Cleveland Plain Dealer Muslims around the world continue to protest violently in response to an anti-Islamic movie on YouTube. The movie sparked a series of protests, including the one that led to the killing of U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. As a Muslim, I am appalled by the crude ways that my brothers have chosen to respond. Islam...