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Embracing Our American-ness
Columns
God, Faith & A Pen
9
In years since the terrible events of Sept. 11, 2001, American Muslims have faced both enormous challenges and have made tremendous achievements. American Muslims have become much more engaged, both socially and politically, since that fateful day. Non-Muslim America has become much more familiar with Islam and their Muslim neighbors than ever before — although Americans’ familiarity with Muslims still leaves much to be desired. A Muslim has even been elected to Congress in Minnesota, the first-time ever in American history. Although counter-intuitive given the negative image of Islam in the media and popular culture, scores of people — including some U.S. soldiers currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan — have converted to Islam and joined our fold.
Embracing Our American-ness
Columns
God, Faith & A Pen
9
In years since the terrible events of Sept. 11, 2001, American Muslims have faced both enormous challenges and have made tremendous achievements. American Muslims have become much more engaged, both socially and politically, since that fateful day. Non-Muslim America has become much more familiar with Islam and their Muslim neighbors than ever before — although Americans’ familiarity with Muslims still leaves much to be desired. A Muslim has even been elected to Congress in Minnesota, the first-time ever in American history. Although counter-intuitive given the negative image of Islam in the media and popular culture, scores of people — including some U.S. soldiers currently deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan — have converted to Islam and joined our fold.
God & 1776
Columns
God, Faith & A Pen
#8
This month, the country celebrated, as it always does, the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from the yoke of British control in 1776. In that famous and fabled document, the people of the United States declared, after listing a number of grievances against the Crown, “That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.”
The Implications Of God’s Precious Love
Columns
God, Faith & A Pen
June
Last time, we wrote of the overwhelming evidence of Allah’s love in the Qur’an. It is quite clear that the fundamental basis of the relationship between Allah and humanity is love. An explicit statement of such in the Qur’an is simply not needed to understand this. Allah’s love exudes from the text of His word. The knowledge of this is uplifting as well as liberating. Yet, do we simply bask in the light of knowing that Allah loves us? Or, is there a larger of implication of being loved by Allah?
The Return Of Jahaliyah
Columns
God, Faith & A Pen
April
Most unfortunately, ever since the beginning of time, women HAVE been subjugated, abused, and maltreated by their male counterparts. The forms of this maltreatment have varied, but the end result has always been the same: our partners in society have been marginalized, to the detriment of the society.
Poof! He's A Terrorist!
Columns
God, Faith & A Pen
March
On Monday Feb. 12, a teenager went on a shooting rampage in a Salt Lake City, Utah shopping mall, shooting 9 people and fatally wounding five of them. It was an horrific act of violence, and my heart and prayers go out to the families of the victims of this terrible crime.
Does God Love You?
Columns
God, Faith & A Pen
February
If pressed, I would have to admit that, in the Qur’an, it is simply not there.
It is indeed true that there is no statement that says: “God loves you.” Some Christian critics of Islam gleefully point this out, contrasting that with the Bible, which claims that God loved the world so much that He sent his only son to his death: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Yet, this is a very shallow assessment.
So That You May Come To Know One Another
Columns
God, Faith & A Pen
January
LET US, FOR ONE MOMENT, GO BACK AND LISTEN in on an ancient and sacred conversation: “Behold, I am about to establish on earth one who shall inherit it,” said the Lord God to the angels. They replied: “Will You place upon it such as will spread corruption thereon and shed blood — whereas we extol Your limitless glory, praise You, and hallow Your Name?” Alas, it seems that our reputation as human beings preceded our own creation.
For Those Who Are Conscious Of God
Columns
God, Faith & A Pen
October
I REMEMBER HEARING A HADITH, when I was much younger, in which the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was reported to have said that there will come a time when holding onto one’s faith will be as painful as holding onto a hot coal. I, in fact, quoted this hadith in a college admission essay, describing how difficult it was trying to remain faithful to my Islamic duties back then. Yet, that time pales in comparison to the difficult time in which I find the Muslim community today.
