April 2, 2006

We have made improvements to our Search engine, so that is very easy to locate information on any topic.  For example, to find all the articles and news stories on recent issues simply type in the keywords in the search field for The American Muslim - APOSTASY (Afghan Convert case), ISLAMOPHOBIA (incidents and statements listed by date), SHIA (sectarian violence in Iraq and calls for unity), CARTOON (Danish cartoon incident), NON-VIOLENCE, DIALOGUE, etc.

Please check out our list of recommended books.  This list began with the publication of The American Muslim Resource Directory in 1994.  At that time we asked 35 people to submit information about the books about Islam that they would most highly recommend.  This list was published in the directory with the initials of those who had recommended the book listed after the entry, and with the books that had received the most recommendations noted.  This new list began with that original list and has expanded over the years.  Most of the books listed here are available through Amazon and listed in our BOOKS section.  If you have recommendations for books that should be added to this list, please let us know.  If you plan on ordering any of these books we would appreciate your ordering them through our site as this will hopefully help us to raise enough money to cover the expenses of running this site.

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January 2006

Welcome to the new TAM website. We have completely changed the format and layout for TAM.  We hope that this new format will be more user friendly, and make it easier to find specific articles.

The buttons at the top of every page will allow you to easily navigate around the site.

To your right you will find a list of the most recent articles posted. If you click on “recent articles” you will get a larger list of articles posted in the last thirty days. More importantly, you will find the “search” options I promised oh-so-long-ago. Take advantage of the “advanced search”, because it is pretty cool.

Be sure to stay updated with IN THE NEWS, and stay active with current EVENTS.  If you know of an Islamic or Interfaith event, please use the “contact us” button to give us the information so we may add it to the list.

When you click on any article you will notice a beautiful piece of calligraphy at the top of the page.  From 1992 to 1995 Mohamed Zakariya produced an original piece of calligraphy to be used as an insert for each issue of the print version of The American Muslim (TAM).  The beautiful calligraphy you see at the top of each article page is from that series.

Ultimately we plan to digitize all of the pieces that Mohamed Zakariya did for TAM.  To begin with we have selected this piece which is Qur’an 3:97, and was chosen because it related to the upcoming HAJJ.

Mohamed Zakariya wrote about this piece when it appeared in the Winter 1994 issue of TAM:

This piece is from the ninety seventh ayat of Surat Al Imran.  It means, approximately:  ‘It is a duty on people towards Allah to make the Pilgrimage to the House (of Allah) for those who are able to get there.’ (see te previous ayat and first part of this one for context).

The piece was written in the jeli slus script, in a horizontal, complex format.  This is a format that is especially appropriate for mosque walls.  The border is of my own ‘ebru’ marbled paper

The Hajj and umra are momentous events in the lives of Muslims.  There are nothing like them.  I am unable to write about them.

I ask Allah to give all the Muslims a chance to participate in this unparalleled cornerstone of the religion."

To learn more about Mohamed Zakariya and his work visit our “Editors Bios” by clicking on the button at the top of the page.

We would enjoy any feedback you might have about any aspect of the new site, and Insh’Allah you will find the new site to your liking.

Sheila Musaji