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From the Silk Road to the growth of Muslim communities in Europe and America, migration has been a part of the Muslim experience ever since the hijra - the fleeing of the early Muslim community from Mecca to Medina to avoid persecution. There is no part of the Muslim world that hasn't been touched in some way by the shifting of communities both inside and outside its borders. The Muslim American immigrant experience in particular has been a challenging one, especially since the days of 9/11. The last few years have shown us the early targeting and detained (without a single terror-related conviction among them), the plight of Muslim immigrants caught in INS red tape, the special registration that specifically targeted Muslim visitors, the prevention of the immigration of US scholars, and the deportation of Muslim women who made the mistake of divorcing their US citizen husbands. Based on this, one would think that Muslims would have a lot to say on the current raging debate on immigration. But aside from a few voices joining calls for a more humane immigration policy as scattered endorsers of various protests, there has been little contribution from Muslim circles. "We are all in this together," said Fatme Bahmad, whose husband is facing deportation. "Arabs and Latinos and we should all have one voice." Critics of immigration reform, however, have not hesitated to pull the "Muslim card" in their efforts, citing not Mexican immigrants but a potential "invasion" of "Islamist extremists" in order to whip up support for more draconian measures. They cite the "Muslim immigrant takeover" of Europe (which has not been as successful as integrating immigrants into their society as America has) and call current US policy a "welcome mat for terrorists." So what happens now? In the West, some Muslims have taken up the "burning boats" metaphor of Tarek ibn Ziyad, the Muslim general who began the conquest of Spain by burning the boats used to cross the Mediterranean, thus preventing a retreat. The intent is to convince Muslim immigrants of the need to become full participants in their new home and abandoning their previous national identity. Those Muslims who have now made their home in America (and have by all accounts done quite well for themselves) would do well to heed this advice and contribute to the resolution of this issue, for the betterment of all. (More here)
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The TV show "Dateline NBC" recently taped a segment for an upcoming show on anti-Muslim sentiment in America, in which they attempted to film fans at a NASCAR event in southern Virginia harassing Muslim men in (stereo)typical garb as they walked through the stands. "It is outrageous that a news organization of NBC's stature would stoop to the level of going out to create news instead of reporting news," protested NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston. "We are confident our fans won't take the bait." And in the end, NASCAR was right, and the TV crews went home empty-handed. Is this anecdotal evidence that while American opinions of Islam and Muslims are at an all-time low, the time is right for TV shows to show the reality of Muslims as an integral part of American society? Aside from community programming such as Bridges TV, the Muslim cable channel that has now reached one million US households, there has not been a recurring Muslim character in a non-dramatic setting such as a sitcom. (There have been, however, plenty of shows that feature Muslim terrorists, such as Showtime's Sleeper Cell and countless other "ripped from the headlines" TV dramas.) One such attempt, however, has just been greenlighted. "Aliens in America" (let's hope that is a working title) is a new "oddball buddy comedy" featuring a teenage Pakistani Muslim exchange student - complete with "a kufi on his head and a shalwar kameez over his body" - that comes to live in an Altoona, Wisconsin home with his awkward, nerdy American counterpart. (Hilarity, inshallah, will ensue.) Produced by the very same NBC that makes "Dateline", the new show is being written by Moses Port and David Guarascio, creators of "Just Shoot Me" and "Mad About You". Already being called "potentially controversial" by some (not sure yet which side will consider it more so), casting and filming begin in June, and the new network The CW plans to schedule it as a mid-season show alongside Chris Rock's "Everybody Hates Chris" ("Everybody Hates Muslims?"). So by the end of the year, we'll find out whether American TV viewers will be laughing at Muslims, or laughing with them.
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For Shabina Begum, a now 17-year old from Luton, a court defeat of her case this week was the end of a long, troubled journey. The Law Lords, Britain's equivalent of the US Supreme Court, rejected an earlier ruling that allowed Begum to wear the full length jilbab dress in contradiction of her secondary school, Denbigh High School in Luton, England, which formulated a salwar kameez uniform for its Muslim students (80% of all students there) after meeting with Muslim community leaders. When Begum challenged the uniform at age 14, many suspected a hidden hand - the involvement of Hizb-ut-Tahrir, the controversial Muslim group that Prime Minister Tony Blair sought to ban after last years bombings in London, though that group was not implicated in the act and denied coaching Begum. In its ruling, the Law Lords found the school fully justified in its policy. "It had taken immense pains to devise a uniform policy which respected Muslim beliefs but did so in an inclusive, unthreatening and uncompetitive way," said Lord Bingham. "It would be irresponsible for any court to overrule their judgement." News of the decision prompted some misleading headlines, such as that of Australia's Age newspaper ("UK girl loses right to wear Muslim garb," which is news, of course, to the hundreds of girls at Denbigh who have worn Muslim garb for years). Many others, even those sympathetic to Muslim concerns, derived that the case was about power more than rights and represented a "hijack" by more conservative elements of British Muslim society. The Law Lords noted that Begum's rights to freedom of religion were not infringed because she could have attended neighbouring schools that did allow the full jilbab. Begum's statement after the ruling reflected her weariness - and acceptance - of the court. "Obviously I am saddened and disappointed about this, but I am quite glad it is all over and I can move on now," said Begum. "Even though I lost, I have made a stand. Many women will not speak up about what they want." Reaction from Muslim groups was notable for what could be read between the lines. "There are lots of schools across the country which allow the jilbab and this issue should have been resolved at a local level," said Tahir Alam, of the Muslim Council of Britain, reflecting a disappointment with the decision (though the MCB approved of the dress chosen by Denbigh before the Begum case). "It's unfortunate that it's gone through the courts." However, the failure of British Muslims to resolve the issue amongst themselves was lost upon the Islamic Human Rights Commission. "Many Muslim scholars have ruled that the wearing of the jilbaab is compulsory," said the UK-based group. "Additionally, the enforcement of dress that is specific to different cultures, in this case the shalwar kameez, also violates the rights of those who are not brought up within cultures that advocate that type of dress." The very fact that a Muslim response to the issue states that "jilbaab is compulsory" while stressing at the same time that enforcement of dress violates rights illustrates both the variations in Muslim opinion and the desire to promote differing versions of them - often without consensus. That a British school and court system might seek consensus within Muslim communities - successfully for the 99% of female Muslims at Denbigh - and enforce them through the courts should be a lesson for those of us who refuse to cooperate with each other.
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Kurtlar Vadisi: Irak ("Valley of the Wolves: Iraq"), Turkey's most expensively produced movie at $10 million, generated record crowds last month in Turkey and areas with large Turkish immigrant populations, such as Germany. It also generated labels in the US such as monstrous, blood libel, and anti-American. While this is the same Turkey that has strong relations with Israel and a robust spirits industry, it's also the one that famously snubbed the US by refusing the use of Turkish air bases before the Iraq war started (though they backtracked in 2005). The film is based on a real-life incident where American marines in Iraq captured 11 Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq on July 4, 2003 (they were thought to be involved in a plot to kill an Iraqi politician and were later released). From there, it veers into a fictional story, though it's based on the increasingly negative perception Turks (and others) have of US troop behaviour in Iraq. Due to the large budget, they were also able to bring in some recognisable American actors, such as Billy Zane, who plays the US commander who captured (and insulted) the original 11 soldiers and participates in grisly, indiscriminate killing. And then there's Gary Busey, who - controversially and unfortunately - plays a Jewish American doctor who harvests organs from dead Iraqis for use in the US, Israel, and Britain. Naturally, both actors have since been denigrated in the US for their involvement in the film, which the two defend on free speech grounds. "Have we reached a time when we impose freedom of expression by force?" said Busey's lawyer. Efforts, though unsuccessful, have been made by Jewish groups to ban the film in Germany. It was thought Germany's Cinemaxx chain pulled the movie from its cinemas because of the controversy but the chain claimed they only ordered a two week run. US soldiers in Turkey have been told to stay away from cinemas, ostensibly for fear of political unrest. Adds General Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, "It is a fictitious movie. It clearly does not have any basis in fact, and there is no reason for us to comment on fiction." Not so, says the film's screenwriter Bahadir Ozdener. "Maybe 60 or 70% of what happens on screen is factually true. Turkey and America are allies, but Turkey wants to say something to its friend. We want to say the bitter truth. We want to say that this is wrong." This view is supported by the refusal of a British SAS soldier to work alongside US soldiers in Iraq last week, claiming he witnessed dozens of illegal acts. The Turkish Daily News concurs, saying, "However hostile the film may be, it is more likely to be the product of anti-American feelings in Turkey than the cause of it." Elsewhere, only Jon Stewart seemed to notice the unbearable irony of stereotyping accusations in light of the Arabs/Muslims portrayed as terrorists in Hollywood. Meanwhile, White House spokesman Sean McCormack brushes off questions on what the movie shows about the United States' efforts to garner support in the Muslim world, saying he doesn't "do movie reviews." Others do, however, and controversy or not, there's always a case to be made for entertainment value. "There are few things as healthy as a change of perspective," says one reviewer in the UK. "Go see it - it's as subtle as Rambo and 10 times more entertaining."
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In 1998, Canadian Muslim filmmaker Zarqa Nawaz made a film called "Death Threat" in which a young Muslim writer fakes a death threat against her to gain publicity for a new book. The plot backfires when publicity of the threat itself eclipsed all else. Enter 2006, when 28-year old Norwegian-born singer Deeyah - of Indian, Pakistani, and Iranian heritage - stated that she has received death threats after releasing her latest video (though given the recent upsurge in issued death threats, this aspect is likely true). She says the song in the video, 'What Will It Be,' is a call for women's rights in Islam - an issue with which many Muslims would otherwise agree. Deeyah, who spends most of her time these days in the UK and America, cut her teeth on Norwegian independent record labels before aiming for the mainstream pop charts. She has christened herself as a "Muslim Madonna" and is, in fact, working with some of her collaborators. As for the video itself, which resembles Dirrty-era Christina Aguilera (erm... we hear), it is notable for two things: a cameo featuring controversial Islam critic Irshad Manji, and an eerie resemblence to Dutch-Somali ex-Muslim Ayaan Hirsi Ali's film "Submission," which led to the murder of co-creator Theo Van Gogh (projected imagery, though not of the Quran, is used on her scantily clad body). However, once the threats subside (or not), there's the question of finding an audience for the message and music. "A lot of us are working for women's rights, particularly in the Muslim world. I think we have more self-respect than to dance around naked to make our point," said Hoda Fahmy, who works with an education group for Muslim women in Canada. "It's unfortunate that she has to use those means, because it's true - women are not able to speak up in a lot of these countries." Musically, it goes without saying that the Sami Yusuf crowd will give Deeyah a pass, though she may also find her song too sabre-rattling for the mainstream hip-hop/R&B crowd, too lacking in the Bollywood-inspired sentimentality of bhangra/Indo-pop, and missing the edgy innovation of artists such as M.I.A.. If she still fails to connect, it may be time for more publicity. The Muslim Council of Britain, normally used to commentary on public policy, felt the need to make a public statement about the matter, declaring that she was probably a Hindu. "Her real name is Deepika Thathaal. That's certainly not a Muslim name," said an MCB spokesman. "Our suspicion is that this is all a big publicity stunt." Perhaps this is true, though some Hindu and Muslim names in India have interchanged over generations. But since public statements like these have been the first introduction to Deeyah for many (including us), the girl must be smiling.
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Irrational Fear, Your Ship Has Come In - Perhaps if you didn't understand global trade, the economy of Dubai, or the help the UAE gives the US military, your fear of Dubai Ports World would make sense. But it still wouldn't be right. (Feb 24, 2006)
A Harsher Light Shines on Guantanamo Bay - New pressure on the United States from the UN and others to close its Guantanamo Bay prison may highlight its legal and moral anomalies, but success remains uncertain (Feb 19, 2006)
Abu Hamza al-Masri Begins His "Slow Martyrdom" - With the US running out of domestic fish to fry, Abu Hamza's "slow martyrdom" following his UK conviction on incitement charges may soon quicken. (Feb 9, 2006)
The Dirty Dozen (And The Damage Done) - With worldwide protests, the divide between Western understandings of Muslim sensitivities and Western notions of free speech has been illuminated. But at what cost? (Feb 4, 2006)
Won't Somebody Please Think Of The Palestinians? - A Hamas victory in Palestine may not lead to what Israelis fear nor what Hamas idealogues want, but instead a revisiting of the harsh compromises that both sides will have to accept. (Jan 28, 2006)
British Muslims Mourn Scholar & Leader Dr. Zaki Badawi - "I am naturally a rebel," explained scholar Dr. Sir Zaki Badawi, who passed away yesterday at the age of 84. "Irreverence is part of my Islamic culture." (Jan 25, 2006)
A Conversion in Death for Malaysian Everest Hero? - A contested conversion after the death of a Malaysian mountaineering hero sparks a controversy over legal access by non-Muslims to sharia court decisions in Muslim majority countries. (Jan 4, 2006)
Santa Doesn't Watch Muslims, But The FBI Does - Coal is put in the stockings of Muslims this Christmas with the revelation that thousands of their homes and businesses were warrantlessly monitored for radioactive material. (Dec 24, 2005)
Muslim Sorority Seeks Best Of Both Worlds - It's hard to think of of two groups farther apart on the social spectrum than Muslims and members of the Greek system. A new Muslim sorority seeks to change that. (Dec 19, 2005)
Al-Arian Acquitted, But Court Of Public Opinion Still Out - A "controversial" Muslim leader is acquitted, but not before a drawn-out trial that burdened his family and brought embarassing statements into the light. (Dec 13, 2005)
Searching for Islam in a Belgian Female Bomber - Muriel Degauque may be Europe's first woman suicide bomber, but pinning her motivation on Islam alone won't stop other "firsts" from making tomorrow's headlines. (Dec 6, 2005)
In California, Muslim-Owned Liquor Stores Become A Target - On one side, Muslim immigrants say they're just trying to make a living. On the other, an African-American neighborhood struggles to rid itself of an abundance of liquor stores. (Dec 1, 2005)
The Strange Spiritual Journey of Michelle Leslie - When Australian model Michelle Leslie stated she was a Muslim in an Indonesian drugs trial, she gained her freedom - at the expense of her reputation and for an uncertain future. (Nov 28, 2005)
Undoing A Character Assassination - The US found no evidence to link 25 American Muslim organizations to terrorism, but many of the groups have been irreversibly harmed in the process. (Nov 21, 2005)
A Lion Of The Desert: Remembering Moustapha Akkad - For 50 years, Moustapha Akkad - who was murdered last week in a suicide bombing in Amman, Jordan - was the most prominent Muslim in Hollywood. (Nov 14, 2005)
- More news articles here |
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By Irfan Yusuf, April 14, 2006
The Prophet Muhammad's mosque had a special platform where his homeless followers, known as As-hab as-Suffah (literally "People of the Bench"), lived. From Suffah, we get the word "Sufi", literally meaning "saint". The Prophet's followers often were too poor to afford shelter, were severely depressed or had other ailments. The Prophet also taught that people who had lost their sense of sanity were not fully responsible for their actions in the sight of God. So the homeless, many of whom are mentally ill, are true saints. Easter is about Christ, a great man who saw the inherent worth of all human beings - even tax collectors and sex workers and lepers, those whom the rest of society wrote off. Christ always made time for the saints of his time. (More here)
By Shabana Mir, April 13, 2006
I love my brothers and sisters. But I'm fearful of notions of tradition that imply a carbon-copy imitation of patterns of the past. Where the style of dress is almost as important as the specifics of the zakat calculations. Where the historicity of gender patterns is fossilized by reference to tradition. Where every single act must be legitimated and checked off in reference to an ancient tome written before the invention of ultrasound machines, trains and telephones. Where any divergence from 12th century practices is seen as invalid and illegitimate. This upsets me because to me, it feels like a hijacking of the spirit of Sufism. (More here)
By Ali Eteraz, April 12, 2006
The Quran, the life of Muhammad, the hadith (including the fabricated ones), and Islamic History, all offer many things that are good and noble. Rabia of Basra, Rumi, Hafiz, Iqbal and Shirin Ebadi are all believers and righteous. The Quran, the life of Muhammad, the hadith (including the fabricated ones), and Islamic History, all offer many things that are reprehensible and anachronistic. Bin Laden, Zarqawi, the Taliban, the Jihadists, are all believers and evil. Would it be that the age of the latter was the one that had waned, and the age of the righteous was at hand. (More here)
Are The Scholars The Same As God Himself?
By Hesham Hassaballa, April 7, 2006
The ink of the scholars may be more valuable than the blood of martyrs, as the Prophet Muhammad once said - but it is not the Word of God.
Why Is The US Promoting Nuclear Proliferation?
By Zeeshan Hafeez, April 3, 2006
The US agreement to support India's nuclear activities will fuel an inevitable nuclear arms race that will further destabilize the volatile region of South Asia.
Apostasy And Religious Freedom
By Louay M. Safi, March 31, 2006
A Christian or a Jew who converts to Islam is a Muslim and must be respected as such. By the same token, a Muslim who converts to Christianity is a Christian, and must be respected as such.
Converts From Islam: Let God Be The Judge
By Hesham Hassaballa, March 31, 2006
The Qur'an is very clear on this: There's no compulsion in religion. So why is an Afghan Christian convert being persecuted?
Intellectual Apostasy: The Real Issue
By Ibrahim Abusharif, March 29, 2006
The intransigence of the Afghani "judge" of this controversy is out of step with the very legal tradition he believes he's upholding.
Two Theories Of Ijtihad
By Muqtedar Khan, March 28, 2006
Muslim societies today have to distinguish between Islam and culture, retain their Islamic essence and reform dysfunctional cultural habits that hinder development.
An Unearthly Sufi Novel: Irving Karchmar's "Master of the Jinn"
By Ali Eteraz, March 28, 2006
Irving Karchmar's debut Sufi novel, "Master of the Jinn", heralds the arrival of a fresh literary voice to Islam and America. It also signals the revival of Sufism.
The Forgotten Story Of Iman Muhanna Mohammad
By Kelly Izdihar Crosby and Saraji Umm Zaid, March 27, 2006
While we argue about hijab or whether or not women should lead prayers, there are Muslim women all throughout the world that are being victimized by poverty, war, and disease.
Whatever Happened To "No Compulsion In Religion"?
By Irfan Yusuf, March 26, 2006
If Muslim minorities do not stand up for the rights of non-Muslims in Muslim-majority states, their occasional claims to being oppressed minorities themselves will not be taken seriously.
In Search Of The Kuffar ("Infidels")
By Hesham Hassaballa, March 20, 2006
Many Muslims may understand that a kafir is anyone who is not Muslim, a so-called "infidel." It is not that simple.
Dr. Wafa Sultan: A Lost Opportunity
By Hesham Hassaballa, March 13, 2006
As I listened to Dr. Wafa Sultan speak about the crimes committed by Muslims throughout the centuries, I thought to myself, "Here we go again."
The Media And Islam: Reimagining Imagery
By Maliha Masood, March 6, 2006
Maybe all that we are, all that we can ever be, are just ordinary folks trying to live our lives. Now that would be a relief.
"Everyday Is Ashura, Every Land Is Karbala"
By Mohamed H. Sabur, February 27, 2006
Whereas violence against Shiites manifests itself in the form of targeted killings in Pakistan and in Iraq, violence against Shiites in the U.S. manifests itself in the form of hate speech.
Why Is Halliburton Building Internment Camps?
By Sheila Musaji, February 26, 2006
Nobody is talking much about it, but moves have been made to develop a network of detention centers in the US.
President Bush And The Rule Of Law
By Hesham Hassaballa, February 26, 2006
If we compromise on our values simply because our enemy is brutal and inhuman, then everything that has been done on behalf of America will have been for nothing.
Reflections Of An American Muslim Soldier
By Nasir Cray, February 21, 2006
It's time to let Zarkawi and his associates know that peace-loving Muslim communities will not tolerate the loss of their families to their stupidity and dreams of ill-gotten glory.
Guantanamo Bay: Injustice Continued, Justice Denied
By Irfan Yusuf, February 19, 2006
The longer the detainees remain behind bars without charge, the less credible the case against them will seem to the outside world and to an independent impartial judiciary.
Your Islamophobic Fist Must Stop At My Muslim Nose
By Khalil Bendib, February 17, 2006
Let us remember to never cross the line into hateful bigotry in the name of an abstract absolute. The freedom to swing your Islamophobic fist must stop at my Muslim nose.
A Letter To Southwest Airlines
By Omar Ahmad, February 16, 2006
A frequent Southwest Airlines flyer questions their "match list" for Muslim-sounding names (including his) only to find out there's no federal policy to use one.
Cartoongate: Déjà vu All Over Again?
By Ibrahim Abusharif, February 16, 2006
Just as Medieval Europe created fear-fantasies about Jews, "Christ-killers" who apparently ate children, so too did they produce a miasma of animus directed toward the Prophet Muhammad
The Sufi Electronica of Niyaz: Music to Smash Idols
By Ali Eteraz, February 12, 2006
In the Sufi-inspired music of Niyaz, the serenity of Islamic mysticism exists even if the words were to disappear and only the voice were to remain.
Clash Of The Uncivilized
By Imam Zaid Shakir, February 9, 2006
Why are we calling for a "Day of Outrage" when our Prophet has instructed us repeatedly not to become angry? Why not a "Day of Familiarization" with the Prophet?
Emotional Torture, Untamed Violence and Intellectual Terrorism
By Dr. Aslam Abdullah, February 6, 2006
We showed our weakness in controlling our emotions when Salman Rushdie insulted our Prophet. We have repeated the same mistake.
Through The Looking Glass: The Danish Cartoons
By Sheila Musaji, February 4, 2006
Does one have the right to make fun of religion? Where is the line between freedom of speech and censorship? And what are appropriate responses?
Stupid Cartoons, Even Stupider Reaction
By Safiyyah Ally, February 1, 2006
Why are we so exciteable anyway? The cartoons, horrendous though they may be, need not affect a Muslim's impression of the Prophet.
Preserving Our Heritage
By Firas Ahmad, February 1, 2006
It is often the case that Muslims are so busy trying to return to a "golden age" that they have forgotten what exactly constituted its many virtues.
In Hamas Victory, An Opportunity for Change
By Muqtedar Khan, January 31, 2006
What can be a more spectacular advertisement for the idea that democracy makes politicians out of terrorists than the electoral victory of Hamas in the recent Palestinian elections?
On Holocaust Exploiters, Deniers, & Heroes
By Mas'ood Cajee, January 27, 2006
On this Holocaust Memorial Day 2006, Mas'ood Cajee reflects on the politics of memory and why Muslims should represent the best of Islamic tradition and spirit.
The Shame Of "Honor Killings" In The Muslim World
By Hesham Hassaballa, January 23, 2006
From where did this come? Where in the Qur'an does it sanction the murder of a woman on the mere accusation of adultery? What sort of barbarity is this?
Open House at the Mosque
By Hamzah Moin, January 21, 2006
You busted yourself vacuuming and shampooing the mosque's carpet only to realize the non-Muslims forgot to take their shoes off. Flip man.
Look For Comedy Elsewhere
By Zahir Janmohamed, January 20, 2006
As offensive and racist as Brooks' humor often is, the most offensive part of his film is that it fails to deliver what it searches for: comedy.
Why My Daughter Should Have MLK Day Off
By Hesham Hassaballa, January 18, 2006
If it weren't for brave Americans like Dr. Martin Luther King, immigrant Muslims would not have been able to establish themselves and build mosques and Islamic schools.
Sleeping Cell
By Wajahat Ali, January 16, 2006
Perhaps if we know our enemy, we will know ourselves and become the "good Muslim" and the "good American." Too bad most of us are sleeping.
The Middle East In A Post-Sharon World
By Shaik Ubaid, January 16, 2006
Mr. Sharon most likely will not return to a normal life, even if he were to survive. This has serious ramifications for the Middle East and the world.
Fear And Loathing In The MCB
By Zahed Amanullah, January 12, 2006
The poorly conceived battles fought by the Muslim Council of Britain threaten to cause lasting damage, but the group forges ahead regardless - despite a string of embarassing failures.
Bill O'Reilly, Pat Robertson And Religion In America
By Firas Ahmad, January 9, 2006
If Americans want to be religious, let them be religious. But at the very least provide a decent alternative to Pat Robertson.
Eid And The Friendly Employer
By Mazen Hashem, January 4, 2006
Mazen Hashem explores the difficulty of explaining to non-Muslims which day Eid will fall on when Muslims haven't figured it out for themselves.
Finding Wisdom In A Christina Aguilera Song
By Hesham Hassaballa, January 1, 2006
The Prophet taught us that "Wisdom is the 'lost animal' of the believer. Wherever it may be, the believer belongs to it." This means that we must find wisdom wherever it may reside.
The Top Ten Good News Stories for 2005
By Mas'ood Cajee, December 31, 2005
Despite all that happened in 2005, we were inspired and infused with hope and strength we drew from transformative events and people ó whose stories we call good news.
Why Christmas Unites Christians And Muslims
By Irfan Yusuf, December 23, 2005
Christmas should remind us that, despite minor cultural and theological differences, the things that unite us are more numerous than those which divide us.
- More opinion and commentary here | |
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Cartoon debate rages in online forums - "Safiyyah Ally, a Muslim writer, published an article on Altmuslim.com on Wednesday last week, saying: 'I'm quite troubled over the cartoon controversy in Denmark, not because of the cartoons themselves, which I agree are offensive, but rather because of the absurd overreaction of Muslims worldwide.'" (Feb 8, 2006)
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