Northern California Fires, Power Outages and Kashmir

Last updated on: October 29, 2019 at 8:13 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

As I write this blog post in total darkness, without the internet and cell phone, my mind started to wander thousands of miles away to Kashmir, where millions others are also without cell phone, internet and basic necessities but for widely different reasons and under vastly different conditions. Far from a Hindu-Muslim or India-Pakistan conflict, there are widespread abuses of all religious minorities including Christians, as reported in this post. You see we have the power outage caused by PG&E,... Read more

Urgent Need For Muslim Unity and Reconciliation

Last updated on: September 22, 2019 at 6:52 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Muslim Ummah remains divided across the world. Wars are raging between many Muslim countries, and sectarian violence and/or hate speeches are the norm in many other. The efforts to divide are orchestrated and well-funded. The truth is that much of the division based on our religion is against our religion and against the commandments of the Qur’an and Sunnah, the two sources we gave a lot of lip service to, as I will explain here. There are numerous socio-political reasons... Read more

Saudi Oil Field Attacks: Oil is Thicker Than Blood

Last updated on: September 17, 2019 at 6:57 pm By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

A major Aramco oil field in Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia was hit by drones on Saturday sending shock waves throughout the world, causing oil prices to go up sharply and prompting world leaders to react. Fortunately, there were no human casualties during the oil field attacks The reaction was in sharp contrast to the world’s reaction to the ongoing attacks in Yemen causing human casualties. To be fair, the civil war (widely considered a proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia)... Read more

Ashura, Muharram, Karbala and Imam Hussain are Inseparable

Last updated on: September 7, 2019 at 6:34 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

I was planning to write another article on Ashura and the great Karbala tragedy in a few days. But I could not wait any longer after hearing the appalling account of the significance of Ashura during the Friday sermon today at a local Sunni Muslim mosque that I frequently attend. As an interfaith and Intra-faith worker, this is of great concern to me. It makes our work that much more meaningful and reminds us our work is much needed.... Read more

Labor Day and Islamic Principles of Social Justice and Fair Treatment

Last updated on: September 2, 2019 at 6:15 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Labor Day was created by the labor movement in the late 1800s who fought against dismal working conditions. It is a national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the economic strength and prosperity of our country. The Islamic commandment to treat labor force fairly dates back to the early 600s CE. The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated actually on a Tuesday on September 5, 1882 in New York City in accordance with the plans of the Central... Read more

Muharram and Islamic New Year- A Time For Commemoration, Not Celebration

Last updated on: September 1, 2019 at 4:03 pm By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

With the moon sighting for Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar and the start of the Islamic year, once again I see “Happy New Year” greetings all over the social media and many parties and “fun events” taking place. But is the Islamic New Year a cause for celebration or a solemn reminder of an immense tragedy that befell the noble family of Prophet Muhammad? The Friday sermons and other religious programs do go over the sacred nature... Read more

Is The Table Spread in the Quran a Reference to the Last Supper?

Last updated on: August 27, 2019 at 6:20 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Chapter 5 of the Qur’an is named Al-Ma’idah, or ‘The Table Spread’ that descended from Heaven, containing heavenly food, as mentioned in verses 112-115 at the request of the disciples of Jesus. Is the heavenly food a reference to the last supper (and by reference, to the Christian Eucharist) or the Gospel’s account of the multiplication of loaves of bread and fish as told in Matthew 14, and Mark 6? ‘The Table Spread’ (Surah Al-Ma’idah) is considered to be the... Read more

Israel’s Ban on Ilhan and Tlaib is an Insult to US Congress and America

Last updated on: August 16, 2019 at 6:56 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Israel’s unprecedented banning of the entry of two Democratic US congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar is a slap in the face of America in general, and the US congress in particular. This is even more remarkable as it followed the unprecedented move by a sitting American president when Donald Trump urged Israel to do so. As recently as last month, Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer said Tlaib and Omar would be allowed to visit Israel “out of respect for the... Read more

Kashmir Fighting for Freedom and Justice- #StandWithKashmir

Last updated on: August 15, 2019 at 6:30 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

As India celebrates its freedom from the British rule in 1947, Modi’s extreme right wing Hindu nationalist party fulfilled a campaign promise by annexing Kashmir and essentially depriving the Kashmiris from its right to freedom, by revoking article 370 of Indian constitution. Article 370 and Article 35A of the Indian Constitution had promised Kashmir its own constitution and decision-making powers outside the areas of foreign affairs, communications and defense. They also barred Indians from outside the state from buying land... Read more

Hajj and Eid Al Adha-Beyond the Rituals and Take-Home Lessons

Last updated on: August 11, 2019 at 7:28 am By Ejaz Naqvi, MD

Eid (Al Adha) Mubarak. As Muslims around the world celebrate Eid Al Adha, let’s pause for a minute and ponder the lessons we can draw from the Hajj rituals. On my own Hajj experience two years ago, my observations were not much different than those of Malcolm X, as noted here. Two years ago, throughout my Hajj pilgrimage, we had meetings led by our Imam practically every day to go over the religious lessons, the rituals and what’s to come... Read more