Originally published in The Northwestern Justice is supposedly based on an impartial judicial system of crime and punishment. The world of law and order requires justice to be blind. The most basic principle of absolute justice requires us to overlook our personal interests for the sake of achieving a peaceful society. But when the same principle is applied in certain places within our society...
Originally published in The Huffington Post In her recent piece, “7 Things That May Surprise You About Muhammad,” author Lesley Hazleton offers unique insights into Prophet Muhammad’s life. Giving credit where it is due, I’ve enjoyed Hazleton’s TED talk on Prophet Muhammad, and many of her writings on Islam. In fairness, however, several of her “7 Things”...
Originally published in The Patriot News I am an American Muslim, and I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. I congratulate President Obama and pray for the success of our nation. It is uplifting to witness another peaceful election, something many other nations struggle to achieve. Deadly coup détats and riots. Violent uprisings and revolts. For much of the...
Originally published on statesman.com The democratic process is the election of a representative by a people. As a Muslim American, I support the peaceful democratic process of our recent election. Electing a leader, or voting for one, is the responsibility of every citizen. After the election, however, this responsibility shifts to the shoulders of the elected. In this light, President...
Originally Published in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette As we prepare to re-inaugurate President Barack Obama, let us remember that the majority voted back into office a Nobel Peace laureate who worked in the last four years to bring together members of all faiths on common grounds. For example, as a Muslim-American, I was heartened to see that in 2009 the president, a devout Christian, spoke to the...
Originally published in The Syracuse Post-Standard An innocent Hindu man was pushed in front of a subway because he was mistaken to be a Muslim (the alleged assailant presumably did this because she blamed all ”brown” people for 9/11). It is unfortunate that people still believe a Hindu, a Muslim or a Middle Easterner are all held responsible for the 9/11 attack just because they have...
Originally published in The DailyHerald.com Pamela Geller has tactlessly taken constitutionally protected “free speech” to a whole new level of offense. She has put thousands of dollars into ads offensive toward minority religious groups on CTA buses in Chicago. Whatever her intentions, Islam teaches that the best response is to condemn Geller’s hateful message and respond with...
Originally Published in The Wisconsin State Journal My first exposure to voting was in 11th grade when my teacher gave us voting registration forms in our government class. She wanted to let us know voting allowed everyone to have a say in who and how this country runs. It is time Muslim-Americans join other groups in America to elect individuals who can better represent all citizens equally and...
Originally Published in The New Haven Register A crime against one religious group is an attack upon all of us in America. It doesn’t matter if your background or birthplace is different. Every house of worship on American soil is sacred. So said our Founding Fathers. John Adams, for instance, wrote: “No subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained, in his person, liberty, or estate, for...
Originally Published in The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Washington Times I am deeply saddened by Sunday’s tragic events at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin (“Assault on Sikh temple kills six,” Monday), a place of worship with the purpose of developing people into better human beings. As a Muslim, I know that Sikhs face similar discrimination, often due to their attire and...