A massive movement of humanity is taking place this week. Not migrants seeking refuge from oppression, but two million Muslims seeking spiritual refuge at the House of God. . . .
Read moreWhat Does Islam Mean to You?
When I asked non-Muslim students at UCLA what they know about Islam, some mentioned prayer and making pilgrimage, but two answers were most common: “Islam requires women to wear hijab” or “It had tons of rules and rituals”.
Read moreRamadan: Taking A Break From My Habits
I am taking a break from my habits; habits that uplift me and habits that pull me down. Where is that going to take me as I enter the mode of fasting.
Read moreIs New Year Greeting Haram?
“Happy New Year,” said one person to another on one New Year morning, January 1, 2019.
Nothing unusual about that, right? Well, one of them didn’t think so. Actually, he took offense. I am not kidding. “It is not our new year. Our new year starts in Muharram. For one Muslim to greet another Muslim with a Happy New Year greeting on January 1 is haram,” …
My Blind Dates
I had never dated. Not once in my life. But that’s another story. If you want to know more about my date-less life, you will have to read my memoir. For the last two years, I have been back-to-back in blind dates. Sometimes I meet them for coffee, sometimes for dinner, and sometimes I meet up in their homes, staying overnight. Separate bedrooms.
My Muslim Christmas
Lets start with some Islamic trivia, which, by the way is not trivial. Not by a long shot. Here is the question: In the Quran, only one woman is mentioned by name. Who is it?
The answer: Mary. Mother of Jesus
Did you know that? Here is more: The 19th chapter of the Quran is titled: Maryam—Arabic for Mary
May I Borrow Your Faith
“What gifts does your faith tradition bring to the table, and what gifts in other faiths do you admire and would like to adopt?” the Bishop asked.
Read moreOne if a Girl; Two if a Boy
If you haven’t heard of the term Aqeeqa, then don’t even try to guess what I am talking about. My Muslim readers know exactly where I am headed, particularly if they are from the subcontinent, as in Pakistan-India-Bangladesh.
Read more"Not In Our Name!" A Jewish American's Wish on Yom Kippur
They were all refugees, fleeing persecution & violence, or the threat of it. Moses was twice a refugee, baby Jesus was taken from Bethlehem to Egypt, and then to Nazareth, as a displaced person in a village far away from home; and Prophet Muhammad fled for his life and made the Hijra from Mecca to Medina.
Read moreWhat Did Moses, Jesus & Muhammad (PBUT) Have In Common?
They were all refugees, fleeing persecution & violence, or the threat of it. Moses was twice a refugee, baby Jesus was taken from Bethlehem to Egypt, and then to Nazareth, as a displaced person in a village far away from home; and Prophet Muhammad fled for his life and made the Hijra from Mecca to Medina.
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