Originally published in Patheos As a Muslim-American, I am attracted to both Islam and America because of the idea inherent in both that all people are created equal. Both Islam and America have been stained by people who subvert them for their own political agendas and in America’s case, it was subverted right from the beginning. America became what it is at the expense of African Americans who...
Originally published in The Dallas Morning News Michael Jackson once sang, “It don’t matter if you’re black or white,” but apparently it does matter as is evident by the racial tension across America the past few months, starting with the Ferguson case and the subsequent protests. Then came the brutal murders of two New York City police officers. As a member of the Ahmadi Muslim Youth...
Originally published in Faith Street I remember having to explain to my then three-year-old why the Taliban shot Malala. It was a difficult conversation because he loves Malala, but it was easy to explain why killing is wrong and that the Taliban is evil. The world condemned the Taliban and, thankfully, Malala survived. So when my now-five-year-old asked me why “they” killed Eric Garner, and why...
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 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette February is Black History Month. This month provides us an opportunity to recognize the contribution of black Americans to American history. We should appreciate their role in making America what it is today. As a Muslim imam, I reflect on Prophet Muhammad’s teaching, “One who is not thankful to his fellow human being is not thankful to God at all.”...
Originally published in Enjoy Ohio Now that it is Black History Month, we cannot forget about the cruel racism and slavery that had resided in our world once. As a Muslim American, I find interesting Islam’s teachings in relation to racial equality. The Holy Prophet of Islam once stated that “a white has no superiority over a black, just as a black has no superiority over a white.” From our...
Originally Published in The Santa Barbara Independent About 85 years ago, a man was brought into the world who forever challenged racism in America. Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of creating a racism-free America has since challenged racial inequality in various ways. But even before the advent of Dr. King, Prophet Muhammad of Islam challenged racism in the world 1,500 years ago...
Originally published in Duluth News Tribune Listening to Martin Luther King’s speech on its 50th anniversary reminded me of a sermon of Prophet Muhammad historically known as his “Farewell Sermon.” In that sermon, Prophet Muhammad stated, “All mankind is from Adam and Eve; an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority...
Originally published in Duluth News Tribune Listening to Martin Luther King’s speech on its 50th anniversary reminded me of a sermon of Prophet Muhammad historically known as his “Farewell Sermon.” In that sermon, Prophet Muhammad stated, “All mankind is from Adam and Eve; an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority...
Originally published in MyCentralJersey The thought that I could have been at that New York City subway station on Dec. 30 terrifies me. I am a 15-year-old Pakistani-American, just the reason I could have been dead. I love this country in every way. Lately, I have been noticing that a lot of people have been expressing their hate for other American communities and nothing is being done to...