By Zeba Iqbal Thank you all so much for joining in our #ThankYou campaign. It was a great success! We wanted to ask you to join us again today, March 9. Our only ask is to tweet and retweet four #FF tweets today. Send/schedule as many as you can between 12 noon and 5 pm today. CONGRATULATE: the Associated Press Reporters for Winning the Goldsmith Prize for NYPD Reporting –Earlier this week four Associated Press reporters won the Goldsmith Prize... Read more
By Zeba Iqbal Muslims and non-Muslims in New York City and across the country have been upset by the news about the NYPD’s surveillance of Muslims. The news is disturbing and deeply concerning to say the least. However, we are heartened by and very appreciative of the number of people and organizations that have come forth to support us, to speak out with us and for us – and to defend civil rights for all. We have taken note — and... Read more
By Sadia Ashraf Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Oscar Academy Award win for Pakistan last Sunday, a first for the country, is a bittersweet victory. While the country rejoices in the worldwide recognition of an Oscar for Saving Face as a Documentary Short, the topic of the film — women who are the victims of acid burning — highlights a dark problem in the struggle for female emancipation in Pakistan. Fitting then, that Obaid-Chinoy dedicated her Oscar to that effort in her acceptance... Read more
By Omid Safi In the aftermath of the deaths of two NATO soldiers in the spiraling Afghan Qur’an burning demonstrations, the US is withdrawing soldiers from Kabul ministries. Media personalities everywhere have reflected on the Qur’an burning disaster in Afghanistan, and we have now officially reached the absurd point where conservative pundits blame everything on Afghanis themselves. As is to be expected, Rick Santorum swung away from President Obama’s apology for the United States soldiers having burned the Qur’an, by... Read more
By Muqtedar Khan The month of February is celebrated as Black History Month in America. It is also during this month that Malcolm X, an African American Muslim minister and civil rights activist, died on February 21, 1965. His legacy is important for Muslims and non-Muslims alike – and one that has influenced many American Muslims, including myself. One cannot reflect on the condition of African American communities in the United States without being confronted by the intensity of black... Read more
By Hesham A. Hassaballa The ultimate fate of Saudi blogger, poet and writer Hamza Kashgari is still unknown. The 23-year-old, who formerly worked for the Saudi Arabia newspaper Al Bilad, recently tweeted some critical comments about the Prophet Muhammad (saw), which left conservative Saudi clerics crying blasphemy and calling for his blood. Kashgari’s cause has been taken up by Muslims around the world, many who say the call for his execution goes against the Prophet’s emphasis on love and forgiveness.... Read more
By Merium Kazmi, contributor at Muslimah Media Watch “I wasted years because I didn’t think I fit into their conception of Islam or God. And I don’t. But God is greater than all that. There are as many ways to Him as there are people on the planet.” (Ayesha Mattu, “The Opening,” p. 54) For some writers, Love InshAllah is about reconciling their American Muslim identity with the complex socio-cultural mores surrounding romantic relationships. For others, however, the book is... Read more
By Safiyyah Ally The Canadian trial of three individuals accused of murdering their family members has come to an end. Mohammad Shafia, his wife Tooba Yahya and their son Hamed were found guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of the Shafias’ three daughters and the Shafia’s first wife. In police wiretaps, Mohammad Shafia is reported to have said that the girls dishonoured and betrayed the family and Islam. In his ruling, the judge noted that, “it is difficult to... Read more
By Dr. Muqtedar Khan “Indeed, Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation (Qu’ran 33:56).” The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is deeply revered in the Islamic tradition. Every time Muslims mention his name and every time they offer prayers, they seek blessings for him. For Muslims, the Prophet Muhammad’s actions, words and silences all tantamount to divine law. No human has ever... Read more
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Forging a New Relationship Between American Muslims and Law Enforcement
By Rabia Chaudry A few years ago I found myself at a table with about 20 other local Muslim community leaders, gathered to meet a regional outreach officer from a law enforcement agency. Many of those present had been living and working in the area for decades and were pillars of the communities they represented. The officer introduced himself, noting that he had been in the region for more than 15 years, and then mentioned that about 90 percent of... Read more