Difficult (Interfaith) Conversations Are Not Easy, But Much Needed

Last updated on: June 9, 2019 at 11:11 pm By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

As interfaith workers, we feel good about ourselves, promoting peace and harmony among people from various faith traditions. We often nod in agreement and leave home feeling fulfilled but is preaching to the choir the purpose of the interfaith dialogue? When should we start to engage with people who don’t think like us and may have a totally different perspective? These difficult conversations may pave the way for a successful interfaith dialogue. During interfaith gatherings and presentations, I often... Read more

Eid Mubarak But Let’s Not Forget About the Uyghurs, Rohingyans And The Rest

Last updated on: July 1, 2019 at 7:35 pm By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

(Photo: courtesy of socialnewsdaily.com) Eid Mubarak to you all. As we celebrate Eid and thank God for the immense bounties during the month of Ramadan, there are millions of people around the world who are not as fortunate, or free to enjoy this occasion. Let’s keep them in our prayers and help raise awareness about the difficult situations they face day in and day out. Uyghur Muslims Let’s not forget the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang region of China. China has... Read more

Interfaith Iftars Are Great Opportunities for Building Bridges

Last updated on: May 27, 2019 at 5:48 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

As we enter the last 10 most blessed nights of Ramadan, I have seen increasing number of Interfaith Iftars being organized during this Ramadan than perhaps ever before. I have had the honor of speaking at some of these events, including a synagogue in San Francisco at the invitation of one of my close Rabbi friend. I have also been planning to host one at my Islamic center in a few days. But Interfaith Iftars, like interfaith dialogue, may not... Read more

Happy Mother’s Day, Dear Ammi

Last updated on: June 15, 2019 at 6:54 pm By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Dear Ammi. I know you are in a better place now. I don’t know for sure if you can hear me out where you are now. I am so grateful to you for everything you did for me. As I grow older, your memories and what you did for me are only growing stronger and clearer. I know I will never repay you for all you did but would still like to honor you with the following thoughts. You loved... Read more

Ramadan Kareem: 10 Tips To Go Green This Ramadan

Last updated on: May 7, 2019 at 6:36 pm By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Ramadan Kareem. Ramadan is much more than just avoiding food and water when fasting. It is a time for prayers, seeking God’s forgiveness, attaining spiritual growth and meditation. It is a time to reflect upon God’s blessings and seek nearness to Him in everything we do. Ramadan is a time to detox and purify our body, mind and soul. It is also a time to avoid polluting planet earth and keeping it clean. Taking good care of our environment is... Read more

Do the Attacks on Places of Worship Unite or Divide Faith Communities?

Last updated on: May 2, 2019 at 7:32 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

There has been a spate of attacks on synagogues, mosques and churches recently. This has the potential to divide the faith community. However, we are also seeing that these attacks are doing the opposite of what the haters are trying to do: bringing Muslims, Jews and Christians together. The attacks have yet another serious consequence- driving people away from faith altogether, as I will explain below. The terror attack on the two mosques in Christchurch reverberated through the globe. There... Read more

Is Social Media Contributing to Spread of Hate and Violence?

Last updated on: April 29, 2019 at 6:40 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Earlier this month Minnesota congresswomen announced an increase in death threats to her as a result of a typical Trumpian tweet following a speech she gave referencing rising Islamophobia in the wake of 9/11 attacks. Omar Ilhan has come under fire from President Trump and other Republicans after the speech. The speech contained in a video on the Trump tweet clearly was taken out of context, when she said “some people did something” that day. First of all, Donald Trump... Read more

Sri Lanka Terror Attacks on Easter Should Unite Us Against Hate

Last updated on: April 22, 2019 at 7:05 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Just about a month ago, I wrote about the terror attacks on two Christchurch mosques during Friday prayers. The details are still emerging but there has been a series of terror attacks on churches and hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. The attacks were apparently pre-planned and well coordinated. I said this after Christchurch terror attacks and is worth repeating again- we are certainly living in troubled times and even the places of worship are not safe- and... Read more

Trump’s Threat to the Sanctuary Cities is UnAmerican and Unchristian

Last updated on: April 13, 2019 at 12:12 pm By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Once again, Donald Trump shows that despite the Republican party’s claim for the love of Jesus, it acts very Unchristian. Yesterday’s threat to send buses full of immigrants from south of the border to the sanctuary cities, typically supported by Democrats, is yet another example of how far Trump and the Republicans have moved away from the teachings of the Bible. Following are some of the excerpts from his statements and tweets yesterday. Due to the fact that Democrats are... Read more

Islamophobia Is Real, Not Fake News

Last updated on: March 30, 2019 at 10:20 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Despite evidence to the contrary, we still have people who doubt whether Islamophobia exists. I have had comments on my posts essentially saying it is all made up. I got some news for them: Islamophobia is real, not fake news. Just ask those who are the victims of hate and violence committed by the haters. Webster-Miriam dictionary defines Islamophobia as follows: Irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against Islam or people who practice Islam. Oxford dictionary’s definition is similar, without... Read more