Originally Published in the Washington Observer on December 9th, 2017 For decades the Israel-Palestine question has a been a divisive issue that sometimes seems impossible to solve. Many U.S. presidents have attempted to broker peace agreements between the two sides with limited progress. Progress on the issue has been at a standstill for many years and with President Trump’s announcement to...
Originally Published in the Sky Valley Chronicle on March 4th, 2018 America needs to change the way we respond to tragedy and increase our dialogue. We have become far too cynical and it has become a roadblock to any type of progress. There was a strong reaction last week when National Rifle Association spokesperson Dana Loesch commented at the conservative CPAC conference saying, “many in legacy...
by Naseer Syed Originally Published in The Star Press on March 3rd, 2018 Seventeen kids were murdered at a high school in Parkland, Florida. Three days later, less than 50 miles away at a gun show, hundreds thought buying more weapons was the appropriate response. Give it another week or two, and we’ll have brushed off the frenzy of activism that accompanies mass atrocities in our country. The...
Originally Published in The Caludron Many Americans feel that our country faces an existential threat from Muslims and the entire religion of Islam. A hard look at historical data will provide us with a different story. As a Muslim-American, I am inclined to believe that Islam is not a problem for Americans, but can actually provide a solution when it comes to one of the most difficult and...
Originally Published in Pittsburgh Post Gazette on February 26th, 2018 The school shooting in Parkland, Fla., should sound a panic alarm for lawmakers to prioritize a probe into the underlying basis for the surge in teen violence. The 800-pound gorilla may well be the ease of access to heavy-duty firearms. But we should also pull our heads out of the sand when it comes to the rampant problems...
Originally Published in Patheos on February 26th, 2018 The Florida shooting is yet another deadly attack on our nation. As an Ahmadi Muslim, I sympathize with the victims and their family members and offer them a sincere condolence. The worsening disconnect between the needs of the nation and the left and right factions of our country has prevented any real solution from being implemented...
Originally Published in Beliefnet on February 26th, 2018 As a resident of central Ohio, I am saddened by the loss of our fellow Westerville Police officers who were killed in a line of duty recently. I am also saddened of the seventeen victims of the Parkland shooting. In both situations I commend our fellow officers putting themselves in harm’s way to protect civilians in need. These two...
Originally Published in MyRecordJournal on February 21st , 2018 Recently, The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the oldest Muslim Organization in the United States, held its 8th annual “Day on the Hill,” during which over 100 delegates from across 75 chapters in the country visited their local representatives. This event was held to help eliminate any misconceptions, while also raising awareness...
Originally Published in Medium on January 15th, 2018 by Faris Hayee Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister. He was the leader of the non-violent civil rights movement aimed to end segregation and discrimination. It all started in March of 1955, when fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin refused to give up her seat to a white man as required by Jim Crow Laws at that time. Nine Months...
Originally Published in The Roanoke Times on January 22nd, 2018 by Faran Jalil In an era in which race relations continue to be a household topic, as an Ahmadi Muslim I encourage my fellow citizens to reflect on the importance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is worth acknowledging and celebrating our shared values regardless of our race, religion or background. King famously stated, “I...