Originally published in the Huffington Post Religious clerics in Pakistan celebrate September 7th as a day of victory for Islam and Pakistan. Officially dubbed the “Khatme Nubuwwat Day” or “Finality of Prophethood Day,” many mosques come alive with celebrations this day, sweets are distributed andintense speeches are made in large religious gatherings. Forty years ago this...
Originally published in the Huffington Post While President Obama reveals his plan to obliterate ISIS with force, and Bill Maher continues his ignorant rant to tie ISIS to Islam, New York Times journalist David Brooks provides the correct counter to ISIS in his September 4 column, “But, ultimately, [ISIS is] a spiritual movement that will have to be surmounted by a superior version of Islam...
Originally published in the Star Telegram As painful as it is to admit, the image of Islam in America is tainted. A heinous act 13 years ago by barbarians who claim to be Muslim will forever haunt not only the image of Islam, but America as a whole. Al Qaeda, the Islamic State, Boko Haram and any other terrorist organization claiming to represent Islam have dragged my beautiful religion through...
Originally published in the Daily Reflector “Whosoever killed a person… it shall be as if he killed all mankind and whosoever gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind” (5:33). In the spirit of this verse, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is beginning its 4th annual Muslims for Life Campaign. All across the nation and in several universities in North...
Originally published in The Baltimore Sun Boko Haram, a Nigerian militant group, has claimed responsibility for kidnapping at least 300 schoolgirls last month (“The world has finally noticed Boko Haram,” May 13). Boko Haram, which means “Western education is a sin,” has repeatedly affirmed that they commit such acts of violence in the name of Islam and that Islam...
Originally published in The Eagle Ramadan has now reached its final few days, which are considered the most blessed days in the most blessed month for Muslims. While all of Ramadan is a time for reflection, it is especially important to remember the less fortunate in these last few days. The prophet Muhammad stated, “He is not a believer, who eats his fill while his neighbors goes hungry...
Originally published in The Huffignton Post The ISIS menace, the atrocities of Syria, the chronic violence between Palestine and Israel, and the current siege on Gaza are a sign of spiritual entropy and political immorality. The political immorality is clear from ongoing civilian casualties. ISIS is killing innocent Christians, 700 Syrians have died in just the past few days, and some 75 percent...
Originally published in Montgomery Media, Philadelphia Inquirer and The Washington Times Ramadan is a time for prayer and self-reflection for Muslims around the world. However, as I end my second week of Ramadan, looking at the news stories I can’t help but ask, “Where are the real Muslims?” There is a Muslim who is claiming to be the Caliph of Islam, but his followers will kill anyone who does...
Originally published in Springfield Republican On July 15, Imtiaz Ahmad was shot and killed in front of his shop in Nawabshah, Pakistan. Mr. Ahmad, 38, passed away while being rushed to the hospital. He leaves behind his father, wife and three children. The death of this innocent man is sadly not uncommon in Pakistan, where murder based on religious outlook is all but legally justified. Mr. Ahmad...
Originally published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer In response to the Boston Tea Party, King George III ordered a blockade of Boston Harbor. Concerned by the anticipated economic strain, our Founding Fathers turned, not to arms or protest, but to God. In the summer of 1774, Thomas Jefferson drafted a “Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer” resolution. And so, on June 1, 1774, among...