How often does a simple hashtag launch a movement? Sometimes, with the mention of just one article of clothing. In the fall of 2013, the hashtag #IStandForHijab did just that, …
World Hijab Day: Honoring Our Hijabi Sisters
Hijab… some see it as a symbol of oppression. I see it as a powerful part of my identity. When I put one of my favorite chiffon hijabs on every …
World Hijab Day and the Rights of Women in Islam
So often, women’s rights in Islam are misconstrued. From the ignorant shouts of “Islam oppresses women!” to the never-ending spiral of questions like, “Are you forced to wear that?” — …
Apartheid: Let Us Not ‘Turn a Blind Eye to Injustice’
The Spanish philosopher George Santayana famously said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” If there are lessons to be found in remembering and studying history, …
Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Hamza, the Joy of Our Family
I stared at her in utter shock trying to make sense of what I’d just heard her say. The words reverberated in my head like some distant thumping, bringing a …
Afghanistan: The Way Forward
On August 30th, at 11:59 p.m. Kabul time, Major General Chris Donahue was the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan. After 20 years, 172,390 deaths, and $2 trillion American dollars, …
The Stigma of Divorce
Searching for love and marriage as a practicing Muslim woman in America is no easy task. Not only must women figure out where and how to find practicing Muslim men, …
Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream: The BDS Movement Gains Traction
Support for Palestinian rights waxes and wanes in the public sphere. Attempts by activists to increase visibility of the plight of Gazans and the suffering in all the occupied lands …
Lessons on Sacrifice from the Legacy of Ibrahim (s)
When you think of Prophet ibrahim (Abraham), with his powerful and numerous stories referenced in more than 200 verses across 25 suwar (chapters) of the Qur’an, how would you summarize …
‘Draw Together Instead of Driving Away’
“Just as We have sent among you a messenger from yourselves reciting to you Our verses and purifying you and teaching you the Book and wisdom and teaching you that …