Originally published in the Huffington Post There exist two scenarios where no one can hear you scream. The first is of course, in space because there’s no oxygen. And the second is on Earth, but only if you’re a global Muslim leader condemning ISIS and promoting universal religious freedom. Such was the result of the landmark address His Holiness the Khalifa of Islam, Mirza Masroor...
Originally published in The Northwestern “I solemnly pledge that I shall always be ready to sacrifice my life, wealth, time and honor for the sake of my faith, country and nation.” These are the monumental words that Ahmadi Muslim youth, whether male or female, profess as part of their pledge to their faith all across the United States of America. There are thousands of Ahmadi Muslim youth that...
Originally published in The Washington Times A young man was fatally shot in front of his shop a few days ago in Nawabshah, Pakistan. Imtiaz Ahmad was an Ahmadi Muslim and the youth leader of his local chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He leaves behind his wife, three sons and father. It was only a month-and-a-half ago that another Ahmadi Muslim, Dr. Mehdi Ali, who was there from the...
Originally published in The News Journal “Swords can win territories but not hearts.” This was stated by the 4th Caliph (or Khalifa) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and is a great description of ISIS, which has taken arms to establish an Islamic Caliphate (or Khilafat) in Iraq and Syria. Their actions obviously go contrary to the true teachings of Islam, which prohibits the use of compulsion in...
Originally published in Shreve Port Times Unfortunately, Islam is a misunderstood religion. As a practicing Muslim living in America, I feel it is my responsibility to clear these misconceptions. To do so, I have dedicated my life to serve God and mankind. I recently moved here to serve as the Imam (a title for a Muslim religious minister) for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of New Orleans Greater...
Originally published in StarTribune The leader of the extremist group ISIL recently declared himself to be a caliph and called on Muslims to pledge their loyalty to him. However, within the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, the system of caliphate was established in the year 1908. The current fifth caliph, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, in his keynote speeches addressing the British House of Commons, the...
Originally published in Times of Trenton and Asbury Park Press I was born in Pakistan, but immigrated to the United States more than a decade ago. The primary reason I left Pakistan was the persecution that I faced because of my religious beliefs. In fact, an amendment to the Pakistani constitution in 1974 declared my sect, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, “non-Muslim,” thereby opening the door to...
Originally published in The Daily Herald The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, and ranks as one of the largest and most popular events of its type worldwide. Tragedy struck this grand event last year when two bombs went off near the finish line, killing three and injuring around 275 others. Condolences and condemnations poured in from all around the world. American...
Originally published in Springfield News-Leader I am the new imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, St. Louis chapter. I have dedicated my life to the service of God and mankind. Our mosque (Baitul Hafeez Mosque) is located at 4529 Emerson Ave. in St. Louis. At our mosque we hold five daily prayers, Friday prayers, weekly meetings and Interfaith symposiums. All are welcome, Muslim or non-Muslim...
Originally published in The Courant Jazz legend Yusef Lateef, who passed away this week, truly lived up to his title of the “Gentle Giant.” He was tall and yet soft-spoken. Although a grand musician and a composer — having received a Grammy and named an American Jazz Master — he was unassuming. He had no special pose or signature rap, other than a soft smile when he met...