By Evette JahangiriThe Fourth of July is never short on massive firework displays, family gatherings, and parades. This date commemorates America’s independence from Britain and also marks the day France presented the Statue of Liberty to the United States. While the history of the Statue of Liberty is taught in classrooms around the country, one important aspect…
By Nena BeechamBlack History stretches across time, space, and disciple. Everywhere from the arts, film, and pop culture, to politics, activism, and education, Black women and men around the world have made, and continue to make history. Although there are many ways to celebrate Black History, nothing compares to hitting the books. Black History has been captured…
By NIQABAEWhat happens when a law is passed which dictates what a woman can and cannot wear in public and infringes a charter-given right? We follow the motto “Sisters before misters.” Bill 62 isolates and immobilizes Canadian Muslim women who choose to observe the Niqab. The bill will embolden racists, and so-called “patriots,” to use this…
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 Naaz ModanThese are my people We are white and brown and yellow and red And every shade of skin, every kind of person, your eyes claim to “know.” We are the ones with cloth on our heads that you call oppression and we call liberty; We are the ones with beautiful voices –like soft hands gliding…
By Happy Black History Month to proudly black men and women and children around the globe, and everyone out there that has faced hardships because of the color of their skin. This month is all yours. And to celebrate, we are bringing the 40 best #HistoricPOC tweets, a hashtag launched by @Karnythia, to light. Enjoy, have fun,…
By NidaEver since I was a young girl, flipping through the pages of my Islamic Studies textbook in Sunday school, I’ve been exposed to the history of Islam. Amongst the many paragraphs and historical text I came across, I found a list of martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of Islam. I must…
By SaniaAs one of the few Sahabiyat (female companions) who physically fought in battle in defense of the Messenger of Allah (SWT) and an advocate for Muslim woman’s rights, Nusaybah bint Ka’ab was not only renowned for her courageous efforts on the battlefield, but was also as a loving wife and mother. She was an Ansariyyah…
By SaraFatima al-Fihri isn’t a household name, but she should be, because she founded the world’s first University (which, incidentally, is still thriving today). She was born in Tunisia into a wealthy family; her father was a successful businessman. She also had one sister named Mariam (it is unclear if her mother died young). They were…
By emmaWalking along Jerusalem’s millennia old cobblestone steps, my pathway was suddenly blocked. “Muslims on—” “I am Muslim.” Heavily armed and sporting the Israeli Police insignia on his shoulder, the paramilitary police officer seemed startled by my reply. “Do you have your passport?” My U.S. passport in hand, he began suspiciously pawing through its worn, stamp-filled…
By SaraThe Boston bombings were a dark tragedy, without question. They represented a moral failing that we so often forget is present in the thread of daily life, and three people lost their lives. Although the occurrence was probably the most talked about news item this week, very little attention was given to the victims of…
By saarahThe Treaty of Hudaibiyah is called by the Qur’an a “clear victory.” Six years after migrating to Medina, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had a dream that he and his followers were performing Umra (pilgrimage). After having this dream, the Prophet (SAW) and about fourteen hundred Companions started towards Makkah. Since they did not want any fighting,…
By haiina“And Allah has already made you victorious at Badr, when you were a weak little force. So fear Allah much that you may be grateful” Quran 3:123 The Battle of Badr, also known as the day of distinction, took place on the 17th of Ramadan, two years after the hijrah. This was the first battle…
By kariimahSo Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his followers were now in Medina, in an attempt to escape the growing hostility, religious intolerance, and persecution of Mecca. They had migrated to Medina in the year 622 in search of freedom and peace. This year is also known as the year of migration, or hijrah. This is later…
By mayeshaWhile most Muslims are well aware that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was a member of the Quraysh tribe, many never learn anything more about the tribe that was home to not only the Prophet (SAW) , but also his family and much of the sahaba.
