Embed from Getty Images By Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. – Proverbs, 31:8-9 As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White... Read more
By Sabeeha Rehman It was 5:00 a.m., and the Empire State Building was lit up in blue. Blue! Could it really be? Miracles do happen. Four years ago, I had gone to bed well before the election results were called out. Early next morning, I looked out the window and saw the majestic Empire State Building gleaming in blue. I knew then that Barack Obama had won the election. Perhaps Hillary picked up the outstanding votes in Ohio, Michigan... Read more
By Engy Abdelkader Tuesday’s presidential election results proved traumatic for a number of Muslim Americans. Almost immediately a spectrum of emotions reigned — fear, confusion, uncertainty, disbelief, affirmation and even, determination. Like other Americans, many of us are shocked that misogyny, racism, xenophobia and Islamophobia seemingly prevailed – embodied in a single individual who will now occupy the most powerful position in the world. Some remain understandably fearful of that almost surreal development and its implications, from civil rights and civil... Read more
By Kari Ansari Something called “media” provided a little, little narcissistic man with extreme insecurities a beautiful platform from which to speak; it was so beautiful it caught the attention of Joe Six Packs and Hockey Moms around the country. As he came down a golden escalator to speak to everyone from the shopping mall or wherever that cool place was, they leaned forward in their seats on the sofa and said, chuckling, “Wow, he’s outrageous! Did he just call... Read more
By Imam Abdullah Antepli In the final tense day of what has been a long and bitter election contest, Muslims throughout the U.S. are feeling anxiety and concern as most of the polls paint a picture of a battle that is too close to call. What we do know is that it will be no landslide for either side. But American Muslims potentially have a powerful role to play in the outcome of this election. All we have to... Read more
By Suehaila Amen As we enter into the final few days before the presidential elections, it is important for Muslims throughout the country to consider just how significant this election is for the future of the American Muslim community – and the pivotal role that Muslims have to play in this election. We have seen over the past few years the rise of an Islamophobic discourse throughout the United States, a discourse that, by each day, threatens to break into... Read more
By Imam Mansoor Sabree Over the past couple of years, Muslim Americans have been experiencing a wave of Islamophobic abuse throughout the U.S. In a relatively short period of time, we have gone from isolated cases of Islamophobic attacks to the full blown mainstreaming of a nationwide Islamophobic discourse that threatens our social fabric. Islamophobic attacks against Muslims have increased dramatically since the terrorist attacks in Paris, Orlando, and San Bernardino and have been exasperated to a whole new level... Read more
By Alejandro J. Beutel with Mimi Yu and Asma Shah The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) hosted a debate at the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) conference over Labor Day weekend in September regarding the concept and practice of Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) inside the United States, but one very basic question went unanswered: What is CVE, and how does it work? (Full disclosure: I am a researcher affiliated with ISPU and was initially invited to participate... Read more
Embed from Getty Images This is the last in a four-part series focusing on the 2016 election cycle and how American Muslim communities factor into the political process. Click here for part one, here for part two and here for part three. Thousands of local and state races are being decided on Nov. 8, as well as referendums, initiatives and bond issues across the United States. While much of the Muslim communities’ focus has been on the headline-grabbing presidential juggernaut between Republican... Read more
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What Routes will Muslim Communities be Charting in a Trump Administration?
By Shabana Mir Faith and ideological communities should expect a painful and polarizing four years. It will be like an endless Thanksgiving dinner with the racist auntie and the anti-Semitic cousins and the sexist grandpa. Communities will be torn apart, interrogating anew what keeps them together and asking if that glue is enough to keep them together. Communities of faith and commitment will melt and re-form. The cultural values of social justice and rule of law will wrestle to the... Read more