October 5, 2018

Islam is not sexist, but sometimes, Muslim men are. Islam is not misogynistic, but sometimes, Muslim men are. My words may be alarming, but they are not meant to be accusatory. Muslim men: You are privileged to live in a world that has largely been shaped by male paradigms, one that has been written in your own voices. As a Muslim woman, I challenge you to make a choice: Step outside this male-dominated intellectual framework and recognize how it cripples... Read more

September 26, 2018

Throughout the past decade, I’ve worked with a variety of MSAs (Muslim Student Associations) in different capacities. My first days as a Muslim were spent as an undergraduate, stumbling through leadership positions in my first MSA and largely failing to bring about good programming or developing a cohesive community. After graduating and working with other Muslim organizations, I shared what lessons I was learning with my former MSA and acted as an advisor for many years before transitioning to a... Read more

September 18, 2018

Muslims around the world commemorate in Muharram (the first month of the Muslim year) the death of Hussain ibn Ali, a leader who epitomized the struggle against tyranny. For some context, consider the following: A tyrannical leader comes to power exploiting an arcane political system. Having been handed everything by his father, this ruthless and decadent dictator enriches himself and his family at the expense of the common people. As his regime upends the values of justice that the nation... Read more

September 13, 2018

I performed Hajj for the first time this year. It will most likely be my only time, although only Allah (swt) knows for sure. This I know: I want to go back. I am also wary, upon coming home, of being absorbed back into my former routines of daily living. Our group had it really easy (all thanks to Allah, of course). We didn’t have to wait six hours for our bus to take us to Arafat. We had air-conditioned... Read more

September 11, 2018

Recently while watching the internet light on fire at how a Bishop inappropriately touched a young musical artist, Ariana Grande, I was reminded again of the importance of the principles and laws that Islam stands for. Imagine for a moment: It’s the funeral of one of the most celebrated musical artists in history. A young attractive vocalist, known for hip hop, takes the stage and woos the crowd with her vocals in a tribute to the deceased. As she concludes... Read more

September 7, 2018

A paradox formulated long ago by Greek philosopher Epicurus asks, if God is perfectly good and omnipotent, why do we suffer? He proposed two alternative answers: Either God is not perfectly good and thus not willing to stop human suffering; or God is not powerful enough to end all the pain in the world. In other words, a loving and omnipotent God seems to be at odds with the suffering in the world. But, what kind of solutions have philosophers... Read more

September 5, 2018

American Muslims are making history. The unprecedented level of civic engagement and grassroots effort displayed by more than 90 Muslim political candidates and their supporters ended in victories for many last month. Nine Somali-American, Arab-American, South Asian and African-American Muslim candidates from Minnesota won a series of primaries. Among them was Ilhan Omar — a former refugee — who won the Democratic primary in Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. Just prior to that, Palestinian-American Rashida Tlaib triumphed in Michigan and is now... Read more

September 4, 2018

Once again, we’ve watched news outlets to dust off their Hajj and Eid coverage, filled with shots of outdoor markets and prayers in far off places. Muslims have mostly recovered from the heady swirl of events leading up to Eid ul-Adha and await the return of the freshly minted hujjaj (those who have performed the Hajj pilgrimage). The first nine days of Dhul-Hijja echo Ramadan for me, in that despite the rush to prepare for Eid, they are endowed with... Read more

August 26, 2018

By Sh. Omar Suleiman The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam made mandatory on all able-bodied Muslims to perform once in a lifetime. It is a commemoration of the worship and struggle of our father Abraham (peace be upon him) and his family in the desert of Arabia. Muslims pray towards the Holy Kaaba, built by Abraham and his son Ishmael (peace be upon them), for their congregational prayers, not out of a belief that the Kaaba... Read more

August 20, 2018

Editor’s Note: The author performed his Hajj pilgrimage in 2008. On the decade anniversary of his holy pilgrimage, here is a piece he wrote in the immediacy of his return, ten years ago. Having recently returned from Hajj, I am bombarded by that well meaning question by all of my friends and loved ones: “How was it?”  Unfortunately, all I can answer is an inadequate “fine,” or even “great.”   Why?  Words can’t really describe the experience, especially hastily chosen words... Read more


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