One Ummah, Many Voices

Poll Asks if Americans have Right to Ban Mosques the U.S.

Dilshad Ali — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 20:13:38 +0000

POLL IN TENNESSEE NEWSPAPER ASKS IF AMERICAN COMMUNITIES SHOULD BE ABLE TO BAN MOSQUES LIKE HERMAN CAIN SUGGESTS – and the sad part is that when I clicked on to vote “no,” I saw the 73 percent has already voted yes.

Herman Cain Gains Ground with Anti-Muslim Attacks

Dilshad Ali — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:44:47 +0000

ANTI-MUSLIM ATTACKS IS WORKING FOR HERMAN CAIN – While the Atlantic’s Joshua Green recently argued that Muslim-baiting is the wrong political tactic for Herman Cain and will backfire on him, a new article on Salon.com makes the case that Cain’s anti-Muslim tactics are gaining him much more attention than one would expect from a presidential candidate who’s most important work experience is as the founder of Godfather Pizza.

TLC to Air Program Focusing on Five Muslim Families

Dilshad Ali — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 19:23:19 +0000

TLC TO AIR NEW SHOW FOCUSING ON FIVE MUSLIM FAMILIES – The cable channel known for “Kate Plus Eight,” “The Little Couple” and all those bridal shows, is now turning its reality cameras on Muslim families in Dearborne, Michigan with a new showing airing this November called “All-American Muslim.” The show will focus on the lives, customs, traditions, and religious practices of five Muslim families in one of the biggest Muslim communities in the country.

Weightlifter Allowed to Compete in Modest Dress

Dilshad Ali — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 02:45:09 +0000

WEIGHTLIFTING ORGANIZATION MODIFIES RULES TO ALLOW FOR MUSLIM DRESS – A Muslim female weightlifter won her bid to compete in weightlifting after the International Weightlifting Federation approved new guidelines to allow her to dress more modestly during competition.

Jihad Against American Muslims

Dilshad Ali — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:12:33 +0000

JIHAD AGAINST AMERICAN MUSLIMS – The past few years, 2010 in particular, have been difficult for American Muslims, who have faced increasinged hostility and suspicion from their fellow Americans, with the hysteria over Shariah law, Park51, loyalty tests, and other things. This article systematically breaks down anti-Muslim rhetoric on the rise. A must read.

Muslim Woman to Lead New York Holocaust Center

Dilshad Ali — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 11:38:01 +0000

MUSLIM WOMAN TO LEAD NEW YORK HOLOCAUST AND INTERFAITH CENTER - Dr. Mehnaz Afridi is taking helm of Manhattan College’s Holocaust, Genocide, and Interfaith Education Center, and some in the Jewish community are questioning the appointment of a Muslim leading a Holocaust Center, as well as the focus being removed somewhat from the holocaust. Afridi, who has a doctorate in religious studies and has extensively studied the holocaust and the intersection of the Jewish and Muslim experience, says she’s not shocked by her critics and welcomes an open dialogue. (Full disclosure – Afridi and I are friends and colleagues.)

Tony Blair Reads the Qur’an to stay Faith-Literate

Dilshad Ali — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 22:54:07 +0000

TONY BLAIR READS THE QUR’AN DAILY? – As Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair hardly ever discussed religion. But Blair, who converted to Catholicism after leaving office, says he reads a bit of the Qur’an daily to stay “faith-literate.” Maybe I should take a page out of his book and read the holy books of other faiths as well. It would be a good practice for all.

Peter King Hearings Bring Back Memories of Japanese Internment Camp

Dilshad Ali — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 22:44:51 +0000

MUSLIM HEARINGS BRINGS BACK MEMORIES OF INTERNMENT CAMP – Rep. Daniel Honda, senior Democratic Whip, penned a pithy piece for CNN.com on how Rep. Peter King’s second round of hearings on the radicalization of American Muslims brought back awful memories of his days in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. Many American Muslim writers have been making this comparison – but here it comes from someone who actually endured the humiliation of being singled out for his race.

No Republican Presidential Candidate Spoke Up for Muslims

Dilshad Ali — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 22:39:32 +0000

MONDAY NIGHT’S PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE WAS THE EVENING WHEN NO ONE STOOD UP FOR MUSLIM AMERICANS - If there’s one telling thing from Monday’s presidential debate, it’s that the “entire Republican field to date refused to speak out for Muslim-Americans. They refused to speak out for the ones fighting for America in our armed forces, for the ones serving in Congress and for the ones living peaceful, productive and, yes, American lives. The silence of these candidates was an act of cowardice.” The words of Politico‘s Roger Simon.

Muslims Indeed Have a Sense of Humor

Dilshad Ali — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:53:25 +0000

GASP! MUSLIMS HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR? – Ahmed Ahmed’s limited comedy tour began on Friday, and with it comes comedy when you need it most. Comedy about Muslims, but for everyone.