I promise I was paying attention. I knew it was coming. The weekly sermons leading up to Ramadan kept reminding us about preparing. How to fast. When to fast. What to do, what not to do. The emotional and spiritual work that we should do. Last Friday the sermon was about the levels of fasting. Read more
My point in sharing these experiences, at the start of a new Ramadan, is this: Expressing our vulnerabilities is a Prophetic trait that we far too often bury rather than celebrate. For those who are in a position of prominence in their community, or even just in their own family, this becomes doubly important. Read more
With hunger and fasting, these words made me examine my own experience of fasting, and I came to realize that I couldn’t remember a time when I truly felt hunger. Even during Ramadan, I didn’t feel hungry by the end of the day. I awaited with anticipation the breaking of the fast so I could enjoy the special dishes that we shared. But did I feel hungry? No. Read more
There's lots to reflect upon and worship to embark upon in Ramadan. But, nothing is possible without fortifying oneself for a long day of fasting by nourishing the mind, body and spirit before the fast begins. Read more
President Trump made his first speech on foreign soil today in Saudi Arabia, in which he proposed a "coalition of nations" to stamp out extremism, acknowledged the vast number of Muslims who have been the victims of terrorism, called out Iran, and charged Muslim leaders with expelling extremism and terrorism from their nations. This, against the backdrop of months of anti-Muslim rhetoric in his campaign and administration resulting in a documented rise in violence against American (and global) Muslims as well as other groups and one of the largest arms deals signed between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia (a country engaged in a targeted military campaign in Yemen.) Read more
On Aziz Ansari's "Netflix" comedy, "Master of None," the "Religion" episode tackles the differences between parents' religion and that of their children. But between the religious and serious and nonreligious and fun, is there any room for those living in between? Read more
Regardless of these ongoing battles of community shaming, I am not defeated. I will not stop speaking out about my being a survivor of sexual abuse. I will break these barriers and keep the conversation going. I will share my story and fight. Read more
By Samar Kaukab Here is a well-known aphorism: It is hard to see that which is invisible. Take oxygen. It surrounds us; without it we would cease to exist. Yet, most of us do not walk around “seeing” oxygen. Like oxygen, there are other invisibilities that permeate our worlds, are unavoidable even. Unlike oxygen, sometimes the things that remain invisible to us are cataclysmic. Violence against women and girls is one of those things. The “otherization” of a minority, religious... Read more
The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) applauds the Senate Judiciary Committee for holding a hearing on “Responses to the Increase in Religious Hate Crimes” at a time when the topic could not be more relevant. But, it is disappointing that no Muslims were invited to speak at the hearing, especially since hate crimes against Muslim Americans are on the rise. Read more
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How Ramadan Can Boost Some Towards Salafism
It is clear that Ramadan and the social activities it fosters – such as tarawih and iftar – has helped to create an environment in which conservative practices, such as the niqab, are judged by the women to be right and praiseworthy, rather than extreme and embarrassing, and has led some to embrace Salafism. Read more