Last week, in an historic and long-overdue move, the United Nations passed a resolution recognizing the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender people around the world. With South Africa leading the charge, the U.N. Human Rights Council voted in favor of the resolution by a narrow margin of 23 to 19, with three abstentions. The new declaration holds that no one should be subject to discrimination or violence based on her or his sexual orientation or gender identity.
Read MoreThe Guardian: The true spiritual leader of Iran is Rumi →
Iran's officially recognised "spiritual leader" today may be Ayatollah Khamenei, but for hundreds of years before the current establishment of mullahs and ayatollahs, Iranians of all creeds have looked to another spiritual leader: Jalal ad-Din Rumi. While this 13th-century Persian Sufi poet is known in much of the west as "Rumi", he is referred to more affectionately in Iran as "Mowlaana," or the Master.
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: What is a True Islamic Republic? →
Recent events in the Middle East have many commentators frantically speculating about what the future holds for Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Yemen, Iran, Bahrain, Libya, Syria and any other country whose citizens are choosing to rise up in protest. Across the region, people are bravely standing up, with many common demands — chiefly, social and economic reforms, as well as an end to rampant corruption and human rights abuses. Who could find fault with that? Unfortunately, a whole lot of people.
Read MoreMs. Magazine: You Can Protest with the Women Liberating the Middle East →
On the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, a group of feminists from across the Middle East have joined together as Women United for the Future of the Middle East to call for regionwide demonstrations in support of women’s rights. They’ve drawn support from the likes of GlobalSister.org, Women’s Institute for Freedom of the Press and Nawal Al-Saadawi, as well as Iranian American women’s rights activist (and former political prisoner) Esha Momeni, who had this to say:
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: Why the Real Threat Is Islamophobia, Not Islam →
When you hear the word “terrorist,” who comes to mind? Basque separatists in white hoods? Anarchists wearing bandanas with five-pointed stars? Or perhaps some right- or left-wing pariah building bombs in basements?
Read MoreMs. Magazine: Muslim Dating Ads: What’s With the Racism? →
Among other content, Islamic Horizons, the bi-monthly publication of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), runs personal ads. There are two sections: “Seeking Husband” and “Seeking Wife.” The personal ad below appears in the latest edition under “Seeking Husband,” and it is one of only two ads (among ten) in which a woman is seeking correspondence for herself. (The others are written by parents and a lone uncle.)
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: Obama Is Hitting a Sophomore Slump in the Muslim World →
Nothing sets a rock star up for failure quite like a killer debut album. And President Obama’s debut in the Muslim world seventeen months ago set the bar sky-high. In Cairo, where he gave his first speech aimed at reaching out to Muslims around the world, he came off as an undeniable rock star. So much of the global Muslim community was hypnotized by his rhythm, charisma and harmony.
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: A Muslim’s Defense of Geert Wilders →
As an independent Muslim woman who doesn’t appreciate being told what to do, say, wear, read or write, I have a special place in my heart filled with disgust for those who embrace the bigoted ideologies of Islamophobes like Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders. But as an outspoken writer and attorney, I also have a special — and much larger — place in my heart filled with respect and adoration for human liberty.
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: Better Muslim Than Gay →
Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about how much my people are under attack in America today. The thing is, though, as an American Muslim, I don’t really feel under attack. Annoyed? Sure. But attacked? No.
Read MoreMs. Magazine: Better Muslim Than Gay →
Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about how much my people are under attack in America today. The thing is, though, as an American Muslim, I don’t really feel under attack. Annoyed? Sure. But attacked? No.
Read MoreCNN: Debates Over Proposed Islamic Center Near Ground Zero Continues →
And joining mere here in Atlanta, Melody Moezzi. She's the executive director of the non-profit group "100 People of Faith." Good to see all of you. She's also the author of "War on Error, Real Stories of American Muslims." I thought that was the typo. Sorry about that. Welcome to all of you.
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: A Plea to Ignore the Ignorant →
Having no interest in giving a misguided, self-proclaimed “Christian” pastor in Florida any more media attention than he has already received, I sincerely debated whether or not to write anything about his ridiculous plans to burn a bunch of Qurans this September 11.
Read MoreMs. Magazine: State Department Dining, Muslimah Style →
I recently accepted an invitation to attend a dinner at the State Department hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in honor of the holy month ofRamadan. The dinner itself, which takes place on Tuesday, September 7, is a formal iftar—the meal eaten every evening after sunset when Muslims break the fast during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This iftar is a welcome and gracious gesture by our government to honor and respect this sacred time of year for all Muslims.
Read MoreMs. Magazine: Meet One Kick-Ass Saudi Woman →
I’m no proponent of violence, and as a Muslim my faith teaches me to avoid it whenever possible. Still, in the face of oppression, my faith also teaches me that it is not only an option to stand up for myself but a sacred duty. In short, slap me in the face and you can be assured that I’ll slap you right back. And if you’re falsely using my religion to justify slapping me in the face, expect me to slap you that much harder.
Read MoreMs. Magazine: Hissa Hilal Fights “Fatwas” With Poetry →
A talented Saudi poet, Hissa Hilal, has become the breakout star of the popular game showMillion’s Poet–Abu Dhabi’s version of American Idol, but featuring poets instead of singers. Hilal describes her poetry, which she says “has always been provocative,” as a “way to express myself and give voice to Arab women, silenced by those who have hijacked our culture and religion.”
Read MoreMs. Magazine: Islam’s First Feminist →
Countless Muslim women around the world today are standing up and demanding their rights to freedom and equality under both secular and Islamic law. These feminist jihadists can be found in every corner of the globe. From France to Afghanistan to Sudan, brave Muslimahs are refusing to be told what they can and cannot do, say or wear.
Read MoreDawn: War on Error Review - Reading away intolerance (Review by Dilara Hafiz) →
'Who here has read Ayaan Hirsi Ali's book, Infidel?' For the first time in three years not a single person raised their hand. At book club meetings, church gatherings, women's groups and Islam presentations across America, countless hands usually shoot up in the air in response to this question.
Read MoreMs. Magazine: Waging a Worldwide Feminist Jihad →
Few things frustrate me more than being told that I don’t look like or can’t possibly be who I know I am. But as a loud and proud peace-loving feminist jihadist, I can’t avoid the accusations: “You don’t look like a Muslim”; “You can’t be a Muslim and a feminist!” and worse yet, “There’s no such thing as a peaceful jihadist.” In an effort to set the record straight, I am dedicating this and blog posts to come to my sister feminist jihadists.
Read MoreGAPABA: War on Error Review (Review by Saba Ashraf) →
Melody Moezzi, a recent graduate ofEmory Law School, an Iranian, MuslimAmerican writes a book setting forth simply, in twelve different chapters, the stories of12 American Muslims. Weaved throughout the stories are personal musings and reflections of Melody.
Read MoreDayton Daily News: Centerville grad’s book on Muslim Stereotypes now UD required summer reading (By Katherine Ullmer) →
A book written by a 1997 Centerville High School graduate now living in Atlanta, Ga., has been made required reading this summer for more than 1,700 incoming University of Dayton students, according to a University of Dayton press release.
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