Patheos Featured Writers

Hesham A. Hassaballa is a Chicago-based physician and writer. He has written extensively on a freelance basis and has been published in newspapers across the country and around the world. He has been a Beliefnet columnist from 2001-2009, and has written for the Religion News Service. His articles have been distributed worldwide by Agence Global, and he is also a guest blogger for The Chicago Tribune. In addition, Dr. Hassaballa has appeared as a guest on WTTW (Channel 11) in Chicago, CNN, Fox News, and National Public Radio.

Hesham Hassaballa is co-author of The Beliefnet Guide to Islam (Doubleday), and his essay, "Why I Love the Ten Commandments," was published in the award-winning book, Taking Back Islam (Rodale). His latest book, Noble Brother, is the story of the Prophet Muhammad told entirely in poetry.

In 2007, his blog, God Faith and a Pen, was nominated for a Brass Crescent Award for a blog that is "the most stimulating, insightful, and philosophical, providing the best rebuttals to extremist ideology and making an impact whenever they post." God, Faith, and a Pen has also received an award for being one of the Top Muslim Blogs for 2010 by Awarding The Web.

In addition to writing, Hesham Hassaballa helped found the Chicago Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations and has served on their board of directors. He also co-founded the Bayan H. Hassaballa Charitable Foundation and serves as its executive director.