Issues
Instagram, @ganjinekeyhani

Iranian Muslim Girl Readers Share Their Thoughts On Mahsa Amini’s Murder

Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, died Friday, September 16 after being arrested by the notorious “morality police” in Tehran.  According to reports, including from Amini’s family, Amini was severely beaten by the morality police with repeated blows to the head, both in the van and at the re-education center where she was taken. She…

Faith
Pexels / ANTONI SHKRABA

Why Does Islam Tell Us to Keep Our Intentions in Check?

Keeping our intentions in check is a pivotal part of Islam; Allah (SWT) tells us that our actions are based on our motives more than anything else. But then, more often than not, the concept itself of “good v. bad intentions” poses the question of whether we actually know the intentions that matter to Allah…

Faith
Pexels / Artem Podrez

Why We Should All Strive for an Eco-Friendly Ramadan

What does it mean to be Khalifah? A ruler? And what’s the job of a Khalifah? To rule the earth? The word Khalifah is mentioned several times in the Quran. One time that is noticeable regarding the idea of our responsibility to care for the well-being of the planet is this verse from the Quran:…

Features
Photo courtesy of Shereen Malherbe

Meet Shereen Malherbe, Author of “The Land Beneath the Light”

Shereen Malherbe is a world-renowned British-Palestinian author and journalist who has contributed to a variety of media platforms including Muslim Girl, Middle East Eye, and Sisterhood Magazine, to name a few. She lives in England, recently having moved back after ten years living in the Middle East.  She keeps herself super busy with her writing. She…

Faith
Pinterest, @ibadahlondon

“Allah Is an Odd Number”: What It (Actually) Means

Over the years as I have gone to break my fast, I have always known to take an odd number of dates. Why? Because Allah is an odd number, I was told.  And over the years, the mystery has grown for me. I wondered what odd number?  I assumed it was profoundly complicated, like an imaginary…

Features
Photo courtesy of Dr. Aneesah Nadir

Meet Dr. Aneesah Nadir, Author of “Before the Nikah”

Recently, Dr. Aneesah Nadir released a book on marriage preparation that is indispensable for single Muslims or even friends of single Muslims.  Dr. Aneesah is a pioneer in the field of Muslim mental health. She taught social work at the university level for decades, long before psychology became a hot topic among Muslims.  Her work has…

Features
Photo Courtesy of Dr. Robert Warrior

Meet Robert Warrior, a Prominent Native American Scholar & Activist

There is a great deal of recognition in the US right now of the importance of land acknowledgment for the Indigenous people, who are the rightful owners of the territories in North America. Many people are now emphasizing the next step as working for land return, returning more sovereignty to Native Americans.  To gain more…

Features
Instagram, @zarinahnadiresq

Meet Attorney Zarinah Nadir, Author of “Legally Savvy”

Attorney Zarinah Nadir has recently published her wonderful layperson’s handbook Legally Savvy on what everyone needs to know to make good legal decisions. The basic premise of the book is to know how to deal with legal issues in day-to-day life and when to get an attorney involved.  Basically, Nadir suggests not to wait to call…

Culture
Instagram, @sarah_farajzadeh

The Collective for Black Iranians Debuts Their Inaugural Exhibit In Philly

Starting earlier this month, 12 Gates Arts is hosting the opening for “Hasteem: We are here,” an exhibit put on by the phenomenal Collective for Black Iranians. The Collective was founded by Priscillia Kounkou-Hoveyda, a human rights lawyer, as well as five other Black Iranians whose goal is to create a mainstream narrative about the…

Issues
Facebook

Learn About the Fight To Stop Line 3 Before It’s Too Late

It is true that one of our most important values as Muslims is the protection of water. The famous hadith of the Prophet SAW states how important he taught us water is: Abdullah ibn ‘Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) passed by Sa’d while he was performing ablution and said, “What is this…

Issues
Instagram, @georgejacksonuniversity

These Three Presidential Pardons Are Long Overdue

As Muslims, part of our belief system includes standing against oppression and standing against injustices. Here are three cases of injustice that you should be aware of, as well as some ways that you can help advocate for justice for these individuals. Imam Jamil The ongoing work to free Imam Jamil continues.  The movement to…

Identity
Instagram, @verathenoodle

#JusticeforNoor: Violence Against Women Is a Global Issue

Many have marched over the last week holding signs and protesting the brutal murder of Noor Muqaddam, 27, the daughter of a former Pakistani diplomat, who was known for her sweet and loving personality and kindness to people and animals.  The police have charged Zahir Jaffer with the murder, a U.S. national, and son of…

Wellness
Instagram, @shakyfruits

Super Sunnah Foods: Powerful Pomegranates

Pomegranate is a super antioxidant food.  One of the most beautiful facts about pomegranates is that while a few hundred years ago, or even a few decades ago, they were quite difficult to eat and access, that is no longer true. At least in the US, pomegranate juice is all over stores, including prepackaged pomegranate…