Ramadan 2014 – #30Days30Writers – A Special Altmuslim Blog Project

Last updated on: June 24, 2014 at 3:09 am By Guest Contributor

Friends, it’s about that time of year again. Are you Ramadan ready? Neither are we, but we’re getting there! This is time that Altmuslim usually shares its call-out for Ramadan reflection pieces. The past few Ramadans we’ve been honored to publish an amazing collection of Ramadan essays, op-eds and reflection posts from known and unknown writers. But this year, we’re doing something a little bit different. Thirty days. Thirty writers. We have spent the past few months soliciting writers, activists,... Read more

Preparing for Ramadan – The Hidden Costs of Indulgence

Last updated on: June 19, 2014 at 6:14 pm By Guest Contributor

By Zainab Khan As Ramadan approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about indulgence versus discipline and the “hidden costs” of indulgence. In large part, I see Ramadan as a disciplining of the nafs (roughly translated: ego). I’ve often heard and thought that “one who cannot control her/his appetite can barely control her/his ego” – the idea being that the appetite is what, quite literally, feeds the ego. The problem of discipline versus indulgence is not an easy one to sort,... Read more

The Role of Muslim Fathers – “Salaam, Love” Writers on Parenting and Love

Last updated on: June 17, 2014 at 9:30 pm By Guest Contributor

Interview by Dilshad D. Ali Father’s Day has come and gone, but the evolving relationship between fathers and children is timeless. Once upon a time — a generation or two ago — the norm (more or less) was for a man to have children and be their father in a big-picture kind of way, leaving the intimate details of parenting to the mothers. Perhaps more so in Muslim circles, this was the parental order of things. But not so much... Read more

Apostasy Laws and Blasphemy in Islam – Islamic or Not?

Last updated on: June 3, 2014 at 11:21 pm By Guest Contributor

By Ro Waseem In January 2011, the governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, was gunned down by one of his own security guards over a controversial move — opposing the blasphemy law in Pakistan. Although thousands of Pakistanis condemned this by attending his funeral and showing support on social media, religious fanatics hailed his murderer as a hero, recently naming a mosque after him. As a Muslim, I stand firmly against blasphemy laws. My faith demands that I do so, for it repeatedly... Read more

The Power of Perception and the Stigma of Mental Illness in Our Muslim Community

Last updated on: May 22, 2014 at 7:57 pm By Guest Contributor

By Laila Alawa I usually say it with a smile and a laugh. “I’m depressed, you know.” It’s my response to conversations on mental health in our community that often spiral into the “we don’t have those issues in our community” declaration. My response always comes as a shock to the person I am speaking with — their mouth opening for a split second as they struggle to process the information. For a moment, their worldview has been shaken as... Read more

Open Letter to Boko Haram’s Abubakar Shekau from Imam Abu Laith Luqman Ahmad

Last updated on: May 14, 2014 at 3:33 pm By Guest Contributor

Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh. I address you with the blessed greeting of Islam, under the assumption that you are a Muslim and taking into account your statement that you are working in the cause of Allah. It is my understanding that you have received an Islamic education, and have been accustomed to delivering the khutbatul Jum’ah (Friday Sermons). Therefore, I pray to Allah that you remember the good of your teachings, that which upholds the honor and respect... Read more

How to Foster Safe Vulnerability in the Muslim Third Space – The Townhall Dialogue Series

Last updated on: May 12, 2014 at 7:30 pm By Guest Contributor

By Aqsa Mahmud Why are you doing this, someone asks, yet again. This question naturally arises from a first-time listener on hearing about the Townhall Dialogue Series, an initiative I recently helped launched in Washington, D.C. The Series seeks to create a safe space for American Muslims to discuss social issues that impact our daily lives and religious practices. It is not a forum on Sharia, and we consciously avoid theological debate. Instead, the Series is based on the premise... Read more

Boko Haram’s Deluded Understanding of Faith and Women

Last updated on: May 9, 2014 at 9:17 pm By Guest Contributor

By Haris Tarin It was 1984. The Russians had invaded Afghanistan, and the country was in the midst of a brutal war that destroyed cities, pillaged villages, killed hundreds of thousands of people and ruined millions of lives. My parents’ only concern was to get their six children out of the country so we could continue our education and pursue a better life, especially for their two daughters. My father and three brothers left first to escape the brutality, leaving... Read more

Happy Fifth Birthday to Patheos! (#Patheos5Yrs)

Last updated on: May 5, 2014 at 4:43 am By Guest Contributor

By Altmuslim Contributors Hey Patheos! Happy Fifth Birthday! We at Altmuslim want to wish our host site, Patheos, a very happy fifth birthday and pray for growing halal (ha!) success in the years to come. We joined Patheos, specifically the Patheos Muslim Channel, two years back after being an independent site for more than a decade, and it’s been a great partnership from the get-go. From our “About Us” information: Created in 2001, altmuslim has been a crucial introspective voice... Read more

Does Supporting ‘Happy British Muslims’ and Pharrell Williams Promote Rape Culture?

Last updated on: April 18, 2014 at 4:55 pm By Guest Contributor

By Mustafa Ghani “Every speech manifests whilst upon it is the shroud of the heart whence it came forth.” — Sīdī Ibn ‘Aṭā-Allāh, al-Ḥikam I appreciate the motivating sentiments of the “Happy British Muslims” (HBM) video and deeply respect the people featured in it. The creators, from what I understand, simply wanted to showcase that Muslims do not fit the stock stereotypes promoted in the media, but rather are diverse, dynamic and, of course, happy. I think such goals are... Read more

What was the purpose of the cities of refuge?