Originally published in The Northwestern The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is holding a ‘Messenger of Peace’ conference to discuss Prophet Muhammad, the most sacred figure in Islam. The goal of this conference is to explain the life and achievements of Prophet Muhammad and how they are relevant in a contemporary context. In a media-saturated environment, it is sometimes difficult to tell fact from...
Originally published in The Cap Times During Black History Month, we remembered the efforts that have been and are still being made toward racial harmony. One of the greatest civil rights leaders, Malcolm X, stated, “America needs to understand Islam because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem.” He said this because the Holy Quran states that the only criteria...
Originally published in Hartford Courant February is Black History Month and a time to reassess our commitment to racial equality. The subjugation of Africans to slavery in America is one of the biggest stains on our nation. Sadly, some slave owners went so far as to use an account in the Bible about Noah’s genealogy to legitimize the maltreatment of Africans. Religion should bring people...
Originally published in The Cap Times The civil war in Syria is in its third year. The war between government loyalists and rebels has claimed some 130,000 lives and displaced millions more. This is in complete discord with the Quran which states: “and create not disorder in the Earth.” Islam teaches us that a peaceful solution can be found in negotiations and in democracy. In the...
Originally published in New York Daily News Jamaica Hills: I am an 11-year-old American Ahmadi Muslim. My parents are from Bangladesh, and I am in sixth grade. It has been quite an experience growing up in post-9/11 America with my background. In the fifth grade, every time the topics Islam, Muslims, 9/11 or the World Trade Center were brought up, everyone, including the teacher, would stare at...
Originally published in The Times Herald What is the best way to achieve world peace? With President Obama’s inaugural ceremony just taken place, scholars will propose what the president should do, indirectly answering the question above. As a Muslim-American, I want to first congratulate the president on his re-election and pray that he will lead the nation effectively during his second term. I...
Originally published in Zion-Benton News It is unfortunate that 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 for the service of God and Mankind. I have recently been assigned as the Imam (a title for a Muslim religious minister) for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of...
Originally published in The Huffington Post Last week, the Grand Mufti of Kyrgyzstan was forced to resign amidst allegations of adultery with a woman he says is his second wife. He claimed he had the proper Islamic marriage ceremony with her, but since Article 153 of Kyrgyzstan’s criminal code forbids polygamy, this woman could not have legally been a second wife. Thus came allegations of...
Originally Published in the Herald-Mail Media When jazz master and Grammy award-winning musician Yusef Lateef left this world on Dec. 23, the music world lost one of its greatest giants. That same day, however, the world of Islam also lost one of its greatest giants. His name was also Yusef Lateef, and he was the man behind the music. The man who, for the last 30 years, chose not to perform at...
Originally published in the Daily Record Last week, while talking to my Christian friend Jim, I felt a sense of pride that after presenting a saying of Muhammad — “Paradise lies under the feet of mother” — Jim replied, “Very beautiful message.” Jim replied to have a Merry Christmas, I replied “same to you” (avoiding actually saying “Merry Christmas” in return, and Jim probably noticed it). And...