How to Prepare Your “Stealth Halal” Turkey (Recipe Included)

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 11:32 am By irfanrydhan

Originally Posted on ILLUME: http://www.illumemagazine.com/zine/articleDetail.php?Terrorists-Enlist-Turkeys-for-Jihad-Pam-Gellar-13862 Recently, bikini-blogger and Islamophobe extraordinaire, Pamela Gellar issued a warning that the Butterball Company is supporting international terrorism by providing “Stealth Halal” Turkeys to American families. Gellar states on her website: Across this great country, on Thanksgiving tables nationwide, infidel Americans are unwittingly going to be serving halal turkeys to their families this Thursday. Turkeys that are halal certified — who wants that, especially on a day on which we are giving thanks to G-d... Read more

Al Mihrab Nominated for a Brass Crescent Award – Please Vote for My Blog!

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 11:32 am By irfanrydhan

My blog post entitled “The Agha, The Architect and the Mosque” was recently nominated for a Brass Crescent Award for “Best Post or Series.” Please vote for my blog here: http://brasscrescent.org/ Thanks Irfan Read more

Islamic Science Rediscovered in San Jose, CA

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 11:32 am By irfanrydhan

Recently I went to the Tech Museum in San Jose, CA where one of the exhibits here on a limited engagement is “Islamic Science Rediscovered.” I highly recommend everyone who is interested in Science to check it out. But surprisingly it is not only about Islamic contributions to Astronomy (the astrolabe, development of star charts), Mathematics (algebra, arabic numerals and the number zero) and Medicine (development of optics, eye surgery), which most people may already be aware of – But... Read more

Masjid Makeover by Rahim’s Wood Gallery

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 11:32 am By irfanrydhan

My friend, Rahim Akbar is a Naval architect and engineer by day and an inspired artist by night. He hails from a well known Mughal family that is endowed with a rich and rare history in architectural design, woodworking, iron smith and masonry. His outstanding works which are carved in wood, may be seen gracing ceilings, walls, doors, or as stand alone pieces that invite the viewer to step into the world of the written word… or simply remind one of the beauty... Read more

The Agha, The Architect and The Mosque

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 11:32 am By irfanrydhan

I originally wrote this interview for ILLUME magazine here. Below is the full and un-edited version of my interview with Maryam. Maryam Eskandari, an architect at the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at Harvard and MIT, currently has a traveling exhibit on American Mosques. Her exhibit, Sacred Space: (Re) Constructing the Place of Gender in the Space of Religion is touring the nation. ILLUME recently conducted an exclusive interview with Maryam to get her views on the design of... Read more

The Halal Carts of New York

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 11:32 am By irfanrydhan

Originally posted on ILLUME magazine: http://www.illumemag.com/zine/articleDetail.php?Halal-Carts-New-York-13699#/6 Over the last 5 to 6 years, New York City has seen an exponential growth of it’s “Halal Food” industry. One element is the very visible “Halal Food” carts, which number well over 200 all across New York City and the surrounding areas. The majority are located in Manhattan, but I also came across one in the Chinatown section of Flushing, NY on my recent trip – which was a very pleasant (and tasty)... Read more

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 11:32 am By irfanrydhan

Recent reviews by Irfan R. What's this? Read more

Star Wars: An Islamic Perspective

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 11:32 am By irfanrydhan

As most “Star Wars” fans know, director George Lucas took spiritual elements, which are common in most major world religions to create his epic saga of good vs. evil. As a Muslim, I always thought of the “Jedi” as what a true follower of Islam should be like. Never mind the fact Jedi masters with their North African style cloaks and scruffy beards look like Sufi Sheikhs, but they way they are taught to respect a greater power, fight for... Read more

Pakistani-American Playhouse Breaks New Ground

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 11:32 am By irfanrydhan

BY IRFAN RYDHAN for ILLUME MAGAZINE http://www.illumemag.com/zine/articleDetail.php?Pakistani-Playhouse-Breaks-New-Ground-13490 Imran S. Javaid and Imran W. Sheikh, two young Pakistani-American Muslims, started “Parwaz Playhouse” – the first major Pakistani Theatre Company in the Fall of 2009. ILLUME caught up with them as they prepare for their latest production – an adaption of Eugene O’Neill’s “Beyond the Horizon”, which will begin performing to audiences on Feb. 25, 2011 in New York City How did you come up with the idea to start a Pakistani-American... Read more

2010 Food in Review

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 11:32 am By irfanrydhan

With close to 600 food reviews across several different websites (Zabihah, Yelp, Google, JustSayGo, etc.) many consider me to be one of the most Prolific Halal Food reviewers online today! I have a large collection of pictures (mainly taken from my iPhone) of my favorite food dishes on Facebook and twitter. Many people enjoy seeing and commenting on my latest food photo online, so I decided to pick a few of my favorites from 2010 and post them here on my blog. I have also included some... Read more