Originally posted by The Michigan Daily. It’s almost inarguable that today’s political climate is polarizing. But another polarizing sub-climate is among activists who desire social change. During a classic 2 a.m. conversation in the Fishbowl, a friend and I came to a conclusion. There are two prominent styles among those who mobilize communities to effect change: marchers and lobbyists...
Originally Published in Sentinel & Enterprise Hundreds of tombstones were vandalized in a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia over the weekend. Hearing about this was both shocking and upsetting. As a Muslim American, I condemn this cowardly act and pray that the culprits be brought to justice. With the wave of bomb threats to Jewish centers and this recent horrific act, we will stand by our...
Originally published by The Jerusalem Post Our nation faces a real crisis of neighbors becoming strangers. We know more about world events but less about each other. Jewish cemetery vandalized in St. Louis, swastikas show up in a New York City subway, over 100 tombstones damaged at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia. This, unfortunately, is my America. But over $100,000 was raised for the St...
Originally Published in Patheos Someone recently emailed asking if I could explain certain teachings of Islam. I googled what he wrote and found that he had entirely copy pasted his objections from the following website: . Obviously basing your understanding of Islam on an anti-Islamic website is not an academically honest way to approach any subject, but he seemed confident that this was an...
Originally published in TIME (Nov 10, 2016) One of the high marks of Islam that Prophet Muhammad taught is that loyalty to your country is part of your faith. I can sympathize with the anger and fear that many have about a Donald Trump presidency: I’m a person of color; I’m a Muslim; I have young children. But these are the cards we’ve been dealt, and we need to find ways to continue working to...
Originally published on Dec 29, 2016 in “The Huffington Post“ By Amer Aziz I wasn’t all that surprised. Even before election night, I had come across the odd Muslim boldly declaring their intention to vote for Donald Trump. And so, I thought, given Trump’s anti-Muslim image, for every openly pro-Trump Muslim there must be several hidden ones. President-elect Donald Trump earned Muslim...
Originally published in The Huffington Post My uncle passed away in Pakistan last week. But because of serious threats for my criticism of religious extremism in my motherland, I was unable to travel back for his funeral. For fellow Americans, I am a Muslim, a physician and a human rights activist. But to the State of Pakistan – and the mainstream Sunni clergy –...
Originally published in Patheos My dear son, Assalaamo Alaikum With all that’s going on, it’s time for a father-son talk. A lot of people are saying Muslims are bad. I want you to know you’ve done nothing wrong and have no reason to be ashamed. You see, sometimes we adults forget what it’s like to be a child. Mark Twain once wrote “Nothing that troubles us can be called little. A child’s loss...
Originally Published in OnFaith Growing up as a Brown Muslim in Central PA in the early 90s, I was so rare that I thought I was white like everyone else. But 9/11 made sure I knew I wasn’t. While I grieved like any other American, many Americans didn’t see me as the once chubby jokester any longer. Our neighbors, a father (a proud Republican and former Marine), mother, and two adorable young...
Originally Published in The Michigan Daily January 31st, 2017 Shortly after the inaugural address, the Obamas and the Trumps descended the steps of the Capitol building in a beautiful display of peaceful transitioning. Chills came over me as I remembered descending those very steps in the summer of 2012 as a part of another display of peace. I walked down the steps of the Capitol building in the...