Originally published in Patheos In his recent anti-Muslim crusade, Ben Carson promoted a disturbing form of religious segregation, claiming that a Muslim should only be president if he or she “renounces the tenets of Islam. Sadly, just as racial segregationists long garnered votes by promoting fear of black Americans, religious segregationists such as Carson today garner votes by promoting fear...
Originally published in NJ Star Ledger When asked if he feels Islam is consistent with the United States Constitution, GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson, a fellow physician, responded, “No I do not. … I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. … I absolutely would not agree with that.” Article VI, paragraph 3 of the U.S. constitution clearly...
Originally published in Dawn A group of Muslims in Norway plans to form a ‘ring of peace’ around a synagogue in Oslo on Saturday, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday. The newspaper quoted a Facebook page in Norwegian language, the translated version of which is shared below: Islam is about protecting our brothers and sisters, regardless of which religion they belong to. Islam is about...
Originally posted in Delaware County Daily Times After a lengthy legal battle with SEPTA, the American Freedom Defense Initiative will start advertising on buses in Philadelphia with the phrase “Islamic-Jew Hatred: It’s in the Quran.” As an American Muslim, I’m not sure what the goal of these advertisements are aside from inciting anger. I can point to numerous examples in the Quran and the life...
Originally published in the Canton Repository Despite what you might think about three of the world’s major religions — Judaism, Islam and Christianity — you might be to surprised to know that they all have much in common. They all find a common ancestor in the prophet Abraham. All the prophets linked to Judaism and also Jesus in Christianity are greatly revered and respected as prophets in...
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 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 the Duluth News Tribune Aug. 28 marked the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, which earned him a stature exclusive only to Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. All three men faced enormous challenges, but their faith, courage and sacrifices helped shape modern America by advancing the notion of basic human equality and universal freedom...
Originally published in Religion News Service (RNS) As Syrian President Bashar al-Assad uses chemical weapons at the outskirts of Damascus and President Obama mulls a U.S. military response, some theologians hope for an alarming endgame to the 30-month-long Syrian conflict. For these Christians and Muslim, the civil war in Syria heralds nothing less than the Second Coming of Jesus Christ...
Originally published in The Star-Telegram & Dallas Morning News According to former Gov. Mike Huckabee, Islam promotes “murderous mayhem” and rioting on its holiest days. As an American Muslim, I am not shocked that he did not cite a verse from the Quran. I mean, after all, it is tough to cite such an accusation from a religion which literally is defined as “religion of peace.” If Gov...