By Guest BloggerLast week, Muslims around the world celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr after a month of fasting. On the eve of Eid, many people hold moon-sighting or “Chaand Raat” festivals around the world. My family and I don’t normally celebrate Chaand Raat, but every other year or so we visit the Chaand Raat festival in Brooklyn’s Little Pakistan on Coney…
By Guest BloggerI am so thankful to Krisann Rehbein for writing this piece about me and my career in architecture for Newcity. Alhamdulilah (thanks be to God) for all of these wonderful opportunities and for having the most supportive family, friends, and mentors. Chicago is filled with amazing people who are always willing to share advice and…
By Guest BloggerThe humanitarian crisis in Syria has recently been dubbed the worst of our time. More than four years have passed since catastrophe ensued and virtually no progress has been made toward a resolution. Civilians are slaughtered, tortured, and detained daily by the Syrian government. However, the advent of ISIS and their expanding power and influence…
By Guest BloggerThis article was originally published on womensenews.org. WOMENSENEWS — One year after the Israeli offensive in Gaza, the reconstruction has not started; neither for the buildings or lives shattered, said Dr. Seita Akihiro, director of the health department at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees. “War does not only destroy the buildings;…
By Guest BloggerToday marks a focal turning point of a chilling combination of skewered identities and sorrowful memories. Ten years ago today I distinctly remember exactly where I was, a luxury I am not too often acquainted with: the afternoon I discovered 52 unnamed civilians were killed in the morning rush hour, and 700 injured after three bombs went off in succession in the London Undergrounds across our city. I…
By Guest BloggerI often forget how important image is to some people — and then it came creeping back to me today. I was told not to wear black to work because as a Muslim woman it can look “too extreme.” When a non-Muslim wears black it’s seen as smart, sleek and stylish, but when a Muslim…
By Guest BloggerWhen Ramadan rolls around every year, I see more and more articles about wanting to make Ramadan and Eid a time for children to connect with their Islamic roots. Parents and families search for ways to give their kids something to celebrate — a holiday time of their own to share with their friends who…
By Guest BloggerBismillah So before I begin, I would like to really emphasize that I am by no means an alimah (scholar) or anything of that sort. I am just what you may call a curious lay person who tends to look for the poetic in the mundane (sometimes a little too hard, I am told). Also,…
By Guest BloggerThis Tuesday, the White House hosted its annual Iftar dinner for Muslim leaders, particularly young leaders, invited from all around the country. Attendees included Samantha Elauf, recent victor of the Supreme Court case against Abercrombie & Fitch; Munira Khalif, founder of the nonprofit Lighting The Way and one of a handful of high school students admitted…
By Guest BloggerPerhaps due to the 2011 Arab Spring, or because of the general lack of knowledge we have about the Middle East and Muslim dominant counties, Americans seem to get uneasy when they hear about Egypt. So, when I made the decision to vacation in Egypt, I received responses ranging from “Oooh you’re such a rebel,…
By Guest BloggerRamadan is a time of self-excavation. It is a time to dig deep for patience, compassion, and humility. It is a time to practice God-consciousness and mindfulness as prescribed to us by Allah (SWT): “O you who have attained to faith! Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for those before you, so…
By Guest BloggerRecently, Michelle Obama spoke to a group of young Muslim women in East London. She spoke about how her struggle as a Black woman in America, from the South Side of Chicago, is similar to the struggles of young Muslim girls living in East London. Her speech received a standing ovation. I was initially inspired…
By Guest BloggerToday I heard a voice call the words which were whispered into my ears on the day I became Ameera. I washed my feet, hands, neck, face, under a tap of marble and gold. And I watched hundreds more do the same. I knelt in the sun, between women behind men the wind turning my…
By Guest BloggerThe Arab American Civil Rights League (ACRL) released an announcement on April 28th, 2015 for their “justice” awards ceremony taking place on May 1st, 2015. At this event, the ACRL, NAACP-Detroit, and Freedom Institute will be honoring two individuals: Judge V. Edwards and U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade. The “Justice” Award for McQuade is not only…
By Guest BloggerFrom the days when I “woke up in the morning feeling shy and lonely” to now, when “whatever it takes, I know I can make it through,” I have been a fan of the Degrassi TV franchise. I empathize with and learn from the diversity of characters and experiences depicted in the show. As a…
