Originally published in The Trentonian As we celebrate Juneteenth amidst our current national crises, let’s revisit history. Despite slaves having been emancipated in 1865, many opposed their integration into society. Even in the North, African-Americans were systematically discriminated against through practices like redlining. On the other hand, we see a different historical example in how the...
Originally published in Financial Times Are we stuck in the civil war era of the 19th century? (“George Floyd and the story of the Two Americas”, FT View, June 3). The backlash of unrest on America’s city streets exposes two unresolved problems. The first is the immediate issue, which is an egregious absence, or at the very least, a massive delay of legal justice when it comes to felonies...
Originally published in The Minnesota Daily “Allah has made you brethren one to another, so be not divided. An Arab has no preference over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; nor is a white one to be preferred to a dark one, nor a dark one to a white one.” These are some of the last words the Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) of Islam bestowed upon his followers during his...
Originally published in East Bay Times Even though we are in the 21st century, racism and injustice still exist in the United States and other parts of the world. As an Ahmadi Muslim, I encourage our brothers and sisters in humanity to reflect on this day and ponder upon it on Martin Luther King Day. Over 13 centuries ago, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) offered the same message that Dr...
Originally published in Blavity: News on June 18th, 2019 On June 19, we Americans celebrate Juneteenth — the day slavery was completely abolished in America. As a Muslim, I believe this is one of the greatest moments of American history. The Qur’an, our holy book, states, “Do you know what the greatest ascent is? It is the freeing of a slave.” (Qur’an 90:12-13) This shows how blessed the complete...
Originally published in Los Angeles Sentinel on February 27th, 2019 For me as an Ahmadi Muslim, Black History Month is a time to reflect on the beautiful origins of my faith, Islam. Among the first Muslim converts was an Abyssian slave named Bilal, who was befriended and then liberated by the holy prophet Muhammad. Bilal was a very pious and wise companion, and he was blessed with a deep...
Originally Published in My Record Journal (March 10, 2017) On March 6, The local chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community received the “Spirit of Meriden Award” from the mayor and his office. This chapter of the International Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is located in South Meriden and has been there for the past 10 years. In these ten years in Meriden, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has...
Originally Published on Beliefnet by Zahir Mannan A Lesson for President Trump from Prophet Muhammad & Islamic History What’s it like being Ahmadi Muslim Americans amid divisive Executive Orders in the month dedicated to Black History? Simply put, it’s a calling! Islam’s spiritual father, the immaculate Prophet Muhammad, Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, “sent as the mercy unto all the...
Originally published in Patheos As a Muslim-American, I am attracted to both Islam and America because of the idea inherent in both that all people are created equal. Both Islam and America have been stained by people who subvert them for their own political agendas and in America’s case, it was subverted right from the beginning. America became what it is at the expense of African Americans who...