By Amanda SadlerShout out and a big thank you to all of the supporters on #MuslimWomensDay. Contributions to the social media campaign and bringing awareness will only help to demystify Islam and discredit the haters. Like it or not, haters, you all not only gave us free publicity, but helped us to trend on social media! As…
By Amanda SadlerTake a moment and think about your favorite fairy tale romance. Start imagining Eric and Ariel, Aladdin and Jasmine or Cinderella and Prince Charming. I was always a sucker for Snow White. If only real life were as easy as a handsome Prince riding in to plant a smooch to wake you and you are off…
By Amanda SadlerImagine opening an email and being asked, “What are you doing in the basement?” Should you laugh, cry, get angry or should you go on the defensive? When the new president and nominated cabinet have platforms and histories boasting ideology that eerily resembles something from bygone eras filled with oppression and genocide, minority groups cannot…
By Amanda SadlerI was born in America. My family tree traces back at least three generations before my European ancestors immigrated here. After growing up in a Christian family, I chose Islam in my 30s. I’m not an immigrant and the ban isn’t for all Muslims, so I could ignore the recent immigration ban — it doesn’t affect…
By Amanda SadlerAs I looked into the dark, almond-shaped eyes of a woman donning an American flag-themed hijab, I could not help but have mixed feelings. Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing the normalization of Muslims and women wearing head coverings, especially through a poster intended to protest the inauguration of the very man hellbent on ostracizing…
By Amanda Sadler[tps_header][/tps_header] President Barack Obama decided to commute former Army Private First Class Chelsea Manning’s sentence on Tuesday, January 17, one out of 209 other sentence commutes and 64 pardons. According to the 1918 Sedition Act, any acts against the United States including but not limited to “willfully utter, print, write, or publish any disloyal, profane, scurrilous,…
By Amanda SadlerDuring Donald Trump’s campaign, the promise of a Muslim ban incited a firestorm of reactions, ranging from celebration and fuel for Islamophobia to campaigns advocating everyone registers as Muslim. As time went on and the absurdity of this threat set in, the idea of a ban gradually simmered down to various shades of immigrant vetting…
By Amanda Sadler“Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money and I’ll tell you what they are.” -James W. Frick California lawmakers are certainly demonstrating their priorities by voting to restrict funding for travel to the LGBTQ discriminating states of Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina and Kansas. This means taxpayer money will…
By Amanda SadlerDear Haters, Who wronged you so badly for you to hate a complete stranger? If hatred comes from fear, who scared you to the point that you feel you have to defend yourself against everyone? Whom do you really fear? What is it about the freedom of others that makes you so uncomfortable? You use…
By Amanda SadlerYou have most likely heard some type of comments regarding Muslims and Islam. Whether you know a Muslim or not, felt compelled to respond, but simply did not know what to say, you are not alone. I applaud you for taking the opportunity to find out how you can help fight Islamophobia and encourage peace…
By Amanda SadlerWritten by Amanda Sadler. To wear or not to wear, that is the question. Since the time before my conversion to Islam, I have contemplated covering my hair. Before making my decision, I carefully weighed the pros and cons. For whom am I wearing it? Why am I wearing it? To what extent will I…
By Amanda SadlerWritten by Amanda Sadler. Twinkling lights, colorful window displays and cheery shoppers filling stores. Nearly every conversation and interaction this time of year is full of excited exclamations of “Are you ready for Christmas?!” While we could argue all day about the “correct” response, I always opt to smile and respond with a jolly…
By Amanda SadlerWritten by Amanda Sadler. — On Nov. 8 after sending my children off to bed with visions of positivity and assurance, I stayed awake, eyes glued to the screen that had betrayed my trust with each passing moment, telling me my worst-case scenario was coming true. “Mom, what are we going to do? Does this…
