MA: Islamic Society Settles into Town
Even without a minaret, the modest brick building on Stedman Street summons Muslims to prayer five times a day. The Islamic Society of Greater Lowell moved from UMass Lowell to Chelmsford in 1993, said Farook Taufiq, one of the founders. “We’ve grown quite a bit,” Taufiq said. “We started perhaps with 20 to 30 families, […]
MI: People with Arab Ancestry Play Vital Role in Area Economy
Wayne State University and the League for Economic Empowerment (LEE) released their Southeast Michigan Arab American Economic Impact Study in early May. The purpose of this one-of-a-kind study of Arab Americans in Michigan is to gauge the economic impact that persons of Arab ancestry have on Southeast Michigan such as overall earnings, purchasing power, occupational/industry […]
Islamic Spain a Model for Religious Tolerance
The past sometimes provides examples of glory and success that serve as models. Other times, as the philosopher George Santayana said, it warns of impending calamity for those who do not learn from it. For the past several years, I’ve been immersed in a history that does both. As one of the producers for an […]
Video: New York’s First Arab School Under Fire
New York City’s first- ever Arab cultural school is under a cloud of controversy before welcoming its first student. The school, which plans to teach the Arabic language and Arab culture is set to open this September. But opponents claim it’s really an attempt to promote radical Islam and they’re trying to stop it from […]
HLF Trial Update: Four Witnesses in One Day
His face was cherry red. He was outraged at this mockery of a trial. Defendant Ghassan Elashi’s voice was loud and clear. As U.S. District Judge A. Joe Fish and jurors exited the courtroom after a mid-morning break Monday, August 20, 2007, Elashi let out his frustration toward the unjust judge. This is an extension […]
AZ: Muslim Family Stuck in Gaza, Dad Home Safe
It was supposed to be a wonderful, 30-day family vacation. It turned into a nightmare that just won’t end. Back in May Mohamed Hegazy, his wife Sohair, his daughters Somaya, 19, Asma, 18, Israa, 16 and his sons Sohaib, 14, and Mosab 11 went to the Gaza Strip. The second week of their trip Hamas, […]
Muslim Women: My Headscarf is Not a Threat
(CNN) — Last year at Christmastime, Rehan Seyam, a Muslim living in New Jersey, went to pick up some things at a local Wal-Mart. Seeing her distinctive traditional Muslim head covering called a “hijab,” a man in the store, addressing her directly, sang “The 12 Days of Christmas” using insulting lyrics about terrorism and Osama […]
UT: Salt Lake City Muslim Cultural Fest
Showcasing Utah’s diverse cultures will take center stage this weekend at the Salt Lake American Muslim Cultural Festival, which organizers hope will attract Utahns of all stripes. From Japanese Taiko drummers to Irish dances, the festival is designed to bring Utah’s diverse cultures together, says organizer Ghulam Hasnain. “The unmistakable theme for the event is […]
The Face of Islam in America
Ingrid Mattson knows the media drill well. She has done the “We condemn ”¦ (fill in the terrorism incident)” speeches – as if, she says, that’s all anyone needs to hear from the president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). She has done the profiles of her as first woman/first convert/first North American-born […]
Australia: Fury Over Talks with U.S. Anti-Islam Thinker
MODERATE Islamic leaders have attacked Howard Government ministers for meeting anti-Muslim thinker Wafa Sultan, accusing Attorney-General Philip Ruddock and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer of endorsing her view that Islam is evil. The nation’s most senior spiritual Muslim woman, Aziza Abdel-Halim, yesterday also accused the Government of double standards for barring radical Islamic clerics while allowing […]