This article is part of Patheos Muslim’s and Altmuslim’s Hajj 2014 reflection series, which is focusing on the good, the difficult and everything in between about the holy days of Dhul Hijjah, the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid ul Adha, the second major holiday for Muslims. By Bina Ahmad and Fatima Ashraf Eid-ul-Adha is a very important holiday for 1.3 billion Muslims around the globe. It marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage as well as commemorates the story of... Read more
This article is part of Patheos Muslim’s and Altmuslim’s Hajj 2014 reflection series, which is focusing on the good, the difficult and everything in between about the holy days of Dhul Hijjah, the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid ul Adha, the second major holiday for Muslims. By Ameena Jandali Every year during the time of hajj a feeling of nostalgia overcomes me as the media begins covering one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings. Although I performed hajj almost nine... Read more
The first nine days of Dhul Hijjah (the ninth month in the Muslim calendar) are nearly upon us, a most blessed time leading up to the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Millions are converging in Makkah and its surrounding areas for the pilgrimage. For other Muslims worldwide, these days are blessed as well, with promises of multiplied rewards for good deeds done during these days. We are encouraged to fast, especially on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah – the day of Arafat. This is the... Read more
By Zainab Chaudry On the 13th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, our nation remembers the 3,000 lives that were senselessly taken that day. As we salute the sacrifice of heroes who rushed to rescue and as we empathize with the pain of loved ones who grieve, I can’t help but reflect on the aftermath of the day that forever changed the lives of all Americans — especially the lives of American Muslims like my husband and me. My husband... Read more
Compiled by Altmuslim Editors The Muslim American and larger American community lost a beloved soul last week — Tayyibah Taylor, founder and editor-in-chief of Azizah Magazine passed away. The outpouring of love and grief was immediate, as news spread quickly. Tributes came pouring in on Facebook, Twitter and in letters sent to Azizah Magazine. Ms. Taylor touched the lives of countless many and was a tireless advocate for Muslim women and interfaith dialogue, as well as a mentor to so many.... Read more
By Hesham A. Hassaballa The horror of ISIS continues, seemingly unabated. Making good on their threat, ISIS terrorists murdered a second American journalist, Steven Sotloff, in an act of true bloodthirsty barbarism, and they threaten do to the same to a British national. This is in apparent revenge for U.S. airstrikes against ISIS positions in the recent days and weeks. While I find great joy at seeing our military attack these horrific militants, who have spread chaos and terror in the... Read more
Editors’ Note: This article is part of the Public Square 2014 Summer Series: Conversations on Religious Trends. Read other perspectives from the Muslim community here. By Joohi Tahir Sure enough, they start to stare. Even more than the children, it’s the adults who are staring. Sadly, this is a typical reaction to individuals with disabilities who “dare” to enter our mosques. It’s not that they’ve never seen a person with special needs individual before — they surely have. It’s that fear, that uncertainty, of what... Read more
Editors’ Note: This article is part of the Public Square 2014 Summer Series: Conversations on Religious Trends. Read other perspectives from the Muslim community here. By Laila Alawa I am unmosqued. The decision came after years of struggle, gendered micro-aggressions and a lack of understanding for personal authenticity on the part of mosque leadership. I had fought long and hard to fit within the mosque I chose, to bring relevancy to the conversations being had within scheduled programming for youth and adults. But two... Read more
By Amanda Quraishi Having to know it all is exhausting. Let’s face it, most of us are sophists these days. We act as if we have the answers to the global crises du jour, but at best we only have opinions. Like many others, I log on to the internet every morning and spend the day arguing about all kinds of topics on which I really only have a partial knowledge. To back up our opinions we use any logical... Read more
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Is There Room for Discourse and Critical Thinking in Islam?
By Marwa Abdelghani I would like to begin by stating that my sentiments in the following anecdote are my own, personal opinion.I tell it as an attempt to reveal the beauty of discourse. I walked by the “Dawah Day” booth of the Muslim student group at my university and read something that I found interesting. Representing the five pillars of Islam were literally five walls that posed as actual pillars with the obligations written on each one. As I stood... Read more