Published on The Tribune-Democrat website on June 17th, 2017: The shooting this week at a GOP congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, attests to the terrifying reality that no one, not even our highest elected officials, are safe from the disturbing growth of violent acts nationwide. What is particularly troubling is that the alleged assailant, James Hodgkinson, appears to have...
Originally published in Statesman The execution-style murder of three Muslim students in Chapel Hill, N.C., is heart-breaking to read about; even worse, however, is the delay and lack of coverage by the mainstream media. Though unfortunate, the muted response wasn’t at all surprising. Had the killer been a Muslim who, like Craig Hicks, spewed bigoted comments online, we would have had 24-hour...
Originally published in The Nation Chapel Hill massacre in North Carolina, where three young students were shot to death on Tuesday was a horrendous incident. To say that they were Muslim,the news would have some weight of discrimination, but the truth is they were. However, the question is has media given the news due coverage? The answer would be a no. I would like to know why? As a member of...
Originally published in Akron Beacon Journal The recent shooting at Chapel Hill, N.C., shows me, as an American Muslim, that whenever a tragedy happens unnecessarily to any person of any faith or way of life, we should pray for them and extend our condolences. The alleged shooter was an outspoken anti-theist. Craig Hicks’ Facebook page was filled with hatred toward religion. Although we hear that...
Originally published in News & Observer All one has to do to see the beauty of Islam is to take a look at the lives of the three amazing young Muslims or the response and reaction from their families and Muslim community in the wake of the tragic slayings in Chapel Hill. Contrast this with every major news channel’s favorite depiction of Islam as a religion of hate and evil whose followers...
Originally Published in USA Today Two gunmen opened fire in Garland, Texas, Sunday, outside an event hosted by the American Freedom Defense Initiative. Cartoons of Mohammed were displayed. As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, I condemn the attacks wholeheartedly. The prophet in his lifetime repeatedly tolerated such abuse. However, the actions that provoked this atrocity also need to be...
Originally Published in The Oregonian As a Muslim youth who grew up in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I am deeply saddened and disgusted to see the actions perpetrated by two gunmen in Garland, Texas. Reactions like this go against the very essence of the holy Quran, in which it is written, “When you hear the signs of God being denied and mocked at, sit not with those who indulge in such talk...
Originally Published in The Huffington Post There is never a dispute about the “what” and “who” of mass shootings. For instance, take the recent attack on September 16. What: Thirteen killed and over a dozen injured in a rampage at the Washington D.C. naval yard. Who: A 34-year-old African American male, Aaron Alexis with security access to the building. But mention the...
Originally Published in the Express Tribune Blog Though Malala survived the Taliban’s bullets last year, she is now again under attack in Pakistan by the very same ideology. They attacked her physically then, and now they are out to get her soul. Right-wing anchors and self-proclaimed intellectuals have taken to disrepute her book by claiming that it reeks of a...
Originally published in The Express Tribune Though Malala survived the Taliban’s bullets last year, she is now again under attack in Pakistan by the very same ideology. They attacked her physically then, and now they are out to get her soul. Right-wing anchors and self-proclaimed intellectuals have taken to disrepute her book by claiming that it reeks of a ‘Western agenda’. If a young Pakistani...