Originally posted in CS Monitor Regarding the Nov. 19 online article “House defies Obama on Syrian refugees, as larger threat emerges” (CSMonitor.com): I am an American Ahmadi Muslim. Born in Pakistan, I immigrated to America in 1998 and was granted asylum based on religious persecution. When I read that many US governors have refused to settle Syrian refugees in their respective states and the...
Originally published in The News and Observer In the wake of the despicable terrorist act at the French newspaper Charlie Hebdo and the Kosher supermarket in France, a lot of questions are being asked about the tolerance and peaceful nature of the followers of Islam. Studying the Quran and the prophet Muhammad’s life, however, it becomes abundantly clear that this barbaric act is against the true...
Originally published in Patheos Never before in the history of mankind has the world witnessed such a mass migration of refugees. They come seeking shelter and safe haven from the barbaric onslaught of ISIS and President Assad’s regime. As the world watches in horror the untold sufferings of thousands of refugees in the Middle East and Europe (Hungary and Greece) on TV, one cannot help but...
Originally published in Worcester Telegram The Syrian crisis is worsening. With around 4 million Syrian refugees and 8 million internally displaced, our fellow human beings are in need of dire support. More than 100,000 Syrian civilians have lost their lives during this crisis. The recent heart-wrenching picture of toddler Aylan Kurdi has come to symbolize this great loss. Syrian refugees...
Originally published in The Austin American Statesman The news of 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed being arrested in Irving for bringing a homemade clock to school is disturbing on many levels. The fact that he showed it to his teachers as an accomplishment should have vouched for the fact that it wasn’t mischief. It is equally as disturbing that when it was clearly established to be a clock, the teen...
Originally published in Courier Post As a Muslim-American, I welcome Pope Francis to America. Pope Francis’ attitude towards Islam — from praying in the Blue Mosque of Istanbul facing Mecca to his comment, “Authentic Islam and the proper reading of the Quran are opposed to every form of violence” — is refreshing and encouraging. With rising Islamophobia in America and with GOP presidential...
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 The Beaverton Valley Times – As an American Muslim, I read about the atrocities committed by ISIS and my heart is filled with grief and anguish. To think that someone could commit such heinous crimes against humanity is beyond comprehension for me. As an Ahmadi Muslim, I have been taught that Islam condemns the taking of an innocent life. In fact, the Quran teaches...
Originally published in the Daily Times Israel emerged on the world map as an independent nation in the late 1940s. Over the last 65 years of its existence, the nation has faced significant challenges. One thing that has remained constant, however, is the state’s treatment of its Muslim citizens. There are over a million Muslims in Israel. The orthodox rabbis have been intimidating them...
Originally published in Fox News A recent FoxNews.com op-ed asks, “Where is the Muslim Mandela?” While alleging that such a person does not exist, and that Muslims do not seek such a person, the piece provides a laundry list of injustices done by extremists in the name of Islam — and holds 1.56 billion Muslims responsible. While the piece may have been well intentioned, it has...