ILLUME

Remembering Aminah Assilmi

Thu, 11 March 2010 11:25:48 PST

I did not meet her personally, but I attended a debate she was having with journalist Deborah Scroggins at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee.

Thinking Out Loud About The French Veil Ban

Thu, 11 Feb. 2010 19:30:55 PST

I must admit that I have mixed feelings about the recommendation in France to ban, if only partially, the full face veil, or niqab. Clearly, there is barely concealed disgust for the niqab - and hijab, for that matter - in France.

What the Media Has Not Told Us

Thu, 28 Jan. 2010 21:43:01 PST

The response of the world to the crisis in Haiti has been overwhelming. Even poor countries, such as Zambia and Sierra Leone, have sent cash assistance to help the people of Haiti.

Living the Ethic of Reciprocity

Sat, 23 Jan. 2010 12:09:56 PST

The Charter of Compassion is a call to bring the world together. The charter is based on the premise of The Golden Rule and thereby claims that the “principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated.”

Helping Haitians Helps Islam's Image

Sun, 17 Jan. 2010 15:25:54 PST

It is refreshing to see the American Muslim community's rigor in stepping up to assist Haitian victims of catastrophic earthquake, which recently took place.

Muslim-Americans And The Haiti Earthquake

Fri, 15 Jan. 2010 00:11:16 PST

The pictures, sounds, and reports coming out of Haiti are utterly devastating. The scale of the disaster is only beginning to be comprehended. My heart goes out to the people of Haiti, and I pray that the Lord bring them comfort, shelter, healing, and strength. May He give them the power to weather this latest of storms to hit that country.

First Pakistani Starship Captain

Mon, 25 May 2009 23:21:29 PST

I watched the latest “Star Trek” film in IMAX this past weekend and was pleasantly surprised to see Faran Tahir, a Pakistani-American who played the lead villian in “Iron Man” last year, as Captain Robau of the Starship U.S.S. Kelvin.

Thugs in The Masjid

Wed, 06 May 2009 22:24:37 PST

Hip-Hop was born out of the ashes of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. The messages of Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali and other Muslim activists arose naturally into the lyrics of Hip-Hop from day one.

Mother of the Believers

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:35:08 PST

The premise of the new book Mother of the Believers by Kamran Pasha is a familiar one: the book is about one of the most beloved wives of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Aisha.

My Interview on ABC Ch. 7 news

Sun, 12 April 2009 17:10:53 PST

I was recently interviewed by ABC Ch. 7 news about U.S. Aid to Pakistan, the flogging of a young women in the SWAT valley and Illume Magazine's coverage of Greg Mortenson's work of building schools in the mountain areas of Pakistan.