By Marwa AbdulhaiOn Friday, two brothers stabbed a Brooklyn man at 2:30 P.M. in the stomach for speaking in Arabic — in the very same city that over thousands of immigrants traveled to from across the globe in hopes of gaining the opportunity to chase their dreams. But now, two centuries later, one of the biggest melting…
By Marwa AbdulhaiEveryone knows Taylor Swift to be notorious for her secret investigations into people’s everyday problems and turn their worlds upside down. News has been running like wildfire of a certain young man — Akram Shibly, who just like any other fan of Taylor Swift’s, has made a single request. This request, however, isn’t your normal help…
By Marwa AbdulhaiMy trip back to my homeland of India this summer was the best decision I have ever made. As a youth volunteer for Indian Muslim Relief & Charities (IMRC) in the United States for the past three years, I had been involved in its programs and fundraisers in New Jersey, collecting money for the unfortunate…
By Marwa AbdulhaiI come from a family lifestyle where I find myself moving to another country or state in the U.S. every three years or so – including India, Saudi Arabia, Seattle, Virginia, Dubai, and New Jersey. Although it has been a wonderful experience in itself, it has also been quite depressing. I frankly did not know…
By Marwa AbdulhaiSonia Martinez of Denver, CO has taken the public by storm after reporting yet another case of racial discrimination. As part of the Facebook group “Uber’s Woman Driving Network”, Martinez was attacked by Rene Hunter, another alleged Uber client, concerning her identity as a Muslim Driver for Uber. Her post containing racist sentiments has gone…
By Marwa AbdulhaiOur century has been marked by a growing trend of technology integrated in almost every aspect of life, from how we travel, how we communicate, and how we learn. Not one corner of the market is devoid of a technological invention that can better the situation of any individual. Science has really revolutionized the sports…
By Marwa AbdulhaiAs we all are getting ready for the most blessed month of the year, it’s quite obvious that one of the perks of Ramadan for many is the special food on the table that really is not served at any other time of the year. From the Suhoor banquets at five-star hotels to the extravagant…
By Marwa AbdulhaiGenocide: “The deliberate killing of people who belong to a particular racial, political, or cultural group.” — Merriam Webster’s Dictionary The definition of genocide has been modified throughout the years as the word has expanded in use and meaning. Massacres have affected such a large number of people that genocides that occurred centuries ago are still having…
By Marwa Abdulhai“Whoso would be a man must be a nonconformist.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson from Self Reliance All civilizations of the world, whether ancient or modern, have always encouraged, promoted, and prized acts of conformity. Our society as a whole today is resistant to change, and Newton’s first law of inertia applies to that as much…
By Marwa AbdulhaiIn this day and age, Muslims all around the world strive to emulate the practices and habits of our Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and his many companions. From every hadith in the Sahih Bukhari to every verse in the Quran, we’ve got every story covered and constantly mentioned in our weekly Friday’s lectures. But one of…
By Marwa AbdulhaiMany of you may have mechanically watched, liked, and shared the recent video uploaded of two young Indian women rapping about the normalcy of sexual assault in India. Going by the name BomBaebs, these women have come forward to address the many issues facing young girls in India on the streets, in their homes, and…
By Marwa AbdulhaiFor centuries, the Palestinian scarf, or keffiyeh in Arabic, has always been held as a sacred symbol of Palestinian culture and ethnic identity. The scarf stands as a reminder for all Palestinian citizens of their past glory and the hope for a better future. But now, in addition to doing absolutely nothing as innocent civilians…
By Marwa AbdulhaiThe world is at a crossroads once again. Although we have made giant strides in medicine, transportation, communication, and energy, many problems still remain unresolved. Illiteracy, starvation, child abuse, misogynistic violence, and disease still afflict large sections of populations in Asia, Africa, and underprivileged regions. The greatest problem of them all, one that provides structure…
By Marwa AbdulhaiWalking through the streets of Kengeri in Bangalore, India, there is not one corner in my village where I am not a witness of the harassment of a women. Whether she is young, old, maybe even a little girl, women have always been treated as inferior beings in my hometown, and beyond. From a young…
By Marwa AbdulhaiLast week, Indonesia proposed that female students in Indonesia’s city of Jember should be required to pass a virginity test in order to receive their high school diploma. But just a few days later Indonesia withdrew the proposal as a result of international outcry. The law’s intention was to prevent female high school students from engaging in…
