By Guest BloggerI sometimes worry that my entire generation of young Western Muslims suffer from PTSD — and I honestly do not take that affliction lightly. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder develops in a person after they’ve experienced a traumatic situation. It’s most commonly associated with soldiers returning home from long and dangerous tours abroad, but can also occur…
By Guest BloggerAt the moment, the United States seems to be fragmented by opinions from biased individuals who believe they’re neutral and objective. With the revolutionary hashtag #BlackLivesMatter and responding hashtags such as #AllLivesMatter and #BlueLivesMatter, everyone has an opinion on police brutality, and the rising death in the African American community. With those opinions comes blame. There are also…
By Guest BloggerIslamophobia is undoubtedly on the rise, and the stories of of Khairuldeen Mahkzoomi and the Shebley family demonstrate just how rampant it has become, particularly in U.S. airports. In both cases, the people targeted were asked to leave the plane for “security reasons,” which just might have something to do with Islamophobic notions of speaking…
By Guest BloggerI have a few moments I cherish daily, and one of them is placing my headscarf on my head as I control the essence of my beauty. During my day, the sight of beauty around me oscillates as different hues become the forecast of the hour where I become appreciative – obsessed really, with the…
By Guest BloggerThe recent attacks in Iraq highlight our Muslim community’s act of selective mourning. With the death toll rising above 250, the bombings targeted a predominantly Shia neighborhood in Karrada, Baghdad. The bombing took place at a multi-level mall that was turned to rubble during a busy time where many women, children, and youth were either…
By Guest BloggerWith the end of Ramadan approaching faster than you can say “Ameen,” Muslims around the world are buckling down, and trying to figure out how best to maximize these last few days of our annual holy month. But as everyone reflects on what this Ramadan has meant to them, and all the progress they’ve made…
By Guest BloggerAs you prepare to celebrate Canada Day July 1st or US Independence Day July 4th, consider this: We live on stolen land. Do you know whose land you live on? In fact, 250 million people were exterminated to make way for European settlers who then stole 12 million people from Africa, of which 1.5 million…
By Guest BloggerMany Eid moon phases ago, I was a new Muslim convert. I have gone to several Eid events during those lunar phases. And like those phases, time has changed some of my views on such joyous events. I still attend though, I do. I love the anticipation of preparing Eid clothes the night before, or,…
By Guest BloggerIt is 6pm, and the platform is unbearably hot. The train just arrived, but it’s useless to even try to get on. Post-work rush hour in Grand Central is no joke. I have no energy to fight the edgy commuters, so I stand back and watch them battle to squeeze themselves in the door, squishing…
By Guest BloggerFirst, the U.S. primary elections, and now Brexit. The democratic dilemma will not be resolved until our civilization decides once again to think through the conflicting notions of how democracy is, at its essence, to be moral. The Holy Quran refers to this in these words: “By the Time. Surely, man is in a state of…
By Guest BloggerIt’s 3:43 a.m., and I’m piling as much food into my stomach as I possibly can. I guzzle down a bottle of water as I try–almost unsuccessfully–to keep my heavy eyelids open. I contemplate making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, only to realize there’s just two minutes left before sunrise. Once the sun rises,…
By Guest BloggerEvery Ramadan, I go to the first taraweeh prayer in the masjid with full force excitement. It’s the time of year where you feel that sense of community in the Ummah again. Smiling faces surround you as you reunite with friends you haven’t seen in a while, reminding you of what a special place the…
By Guest BloggerFor months the turning point in British – and European – history was being anticipated; would Britain remain in the European Union, or leave in order to further its own regulations and restrictions? Prominent politicians joined and changed sides in the debate, marketing campaigns were started afresh, debates took place in and out of Parliament,…
By Guest BloggerWe’ve all been there, ladies. Don’t deny it. Who hasn’t taken a surreptitious look around before scoffing a bite of [insert chosen food here] while on your period in Ramadan? Lately, I’ve been wondering why on earth we do this…why are we hiding? Clearly it’s because of the many social and medical benefits of pretending…
By Guest BloggerThe All Dulles area Muslim Society Center held an event on June 20, 2016 to mark World Refugee Day. John Kerry and Angelina Jolie were guests on this occasion. Jolie spoke to an enthusiastic audience of ADAMS community members. Yes, she spoke to a mixed audience of men and women. And no, there were no…
