Tag: Islam
When a Humanist Is Asked to Pray
In Ghana it is customary to start and end every meeting with a prayer. What kind of meeting doesn’t matter: PTA meeting, building project meeting, NGO planning meeting–they all start and end w... Read More
Muslims in the Media – and What I’m Going to Do About It
“A free press earned its spot in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution because of its role in educating and enlightening citizens, and thus enabling us to practice self-government. But char... Read More
Come and Eat: Breaking Bread on Ramadan
I recently attended an Iftar dinner at my synagogue, along with members of a Turkish Muslim interfaith institute. My rabbi gave a speech about how the Jewish and Islamic traditions understand t... Read More
Social Justice is a Loaded Term
“If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” – Lilla Watson Although the abov... Read More
We Are Brothers: Deepening the Conversation between American Jews and American Muslims
The appointment of Bob Silverman by the American Jewish Committee as the first official Jewish ambassador to the American Muslim community, as reported here by Lauren Markoe of the Religion News Servi... Read More
The Politics of Difference
Chicago celebrated St. Patrick’s Day on March 12 by dyeing the river green and having a parade. I wanted to go and enjoy the parade festivities before studying for final exams. So, I took the bus to... Read More
Our Right To Worship Safely
“Whosoever sees an evil, then let him change it with his hand. If he is not able, then with his tongue. And if he is not able to do that, then with his heart and that is the weakest of belief.” ~ ... Read More
Religion in the Academy and in the Public
As naive as it may sound, I thought that I could learn more about Islamic Studies and history at university than at “Saturday” school on the weekends while at the mosque. The mosque lessons about ... Read More