Islam is the third-largest religion in the United States, the second-largest religion in the world, and the fastest-growing religion on the planet. For a faith tradition that is only 1,400 years old, that’s phenomenal growth. Of course, Muslims would say that their religion has been on the earth since the days of Adam. Nonetheless, its final restoration to the earth through the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) took place in the 7th century of the common era. Hence, even though this faith... Read more
By Layla Azmi Goushey ʿIlm: Religious and Scientific Knowledge University scholars in the Arabian Gulf region recently convened the Online Conference on Islamic Perspectives on Exotheology, Muslim theological viewpoints regarding extraterrestrial intelligence. According to one of the co-organizers, the conference had more than 50 registered participants from at least 18 different countries across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Participants were affiliated with a variety of Islamic, Christian, and secular institutions, including the Vatican Observatory. Experts on Islam, science, history,... Read more
Syrian Muslims have long been a part of the mosaic of people in Midwest America. The stories and extensive records of their grit and determination to adapt and thrive in the Midwest are the sources for Edward E. Curtis IV’s splendid new book, Muslims of the Heartland. Read more
By Hadia Mubarak During my freshman year in public high school, my English literature teacher took me aside after class and asked me, “Did your parents force you to wear that?” referring to my headscarf. I distinctly remember the feelings of confusion, surprise, and anger I felt, wondering why she would assume that I was being forced to cover my hair. Twenty-five years later, I am no longer surprised by my high school teacher’s assumption. I now understand her question... Read more
The concept of God can be summarized briefly in four words. “Four Words” that provide a remarkable insight for an understanding all. Read more
Ramadan, the Islamic holy month, begins this week. While many Americans know that it involves fasting, what most don’t know is that the holiday also essentially flips day into night. During Ramadan — which commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s receiving of the Quran — Muslims stay up late praying more than usual, reading the Quran, eating and socializing. Together, all of these disrupted routines create a physical shift — and, ideally, spiritual shift — that helps them transcend the self and... Read more
As Muslims in America, we should recognize this unique chance to make good on this moment and the fight against racism. Read more
In the early 1960s the world was on the brink of a nuclear war because of the escalated tension between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. The crisis made Bertrand Russell write a book titled Has Man a Future, in which the British philosopher criticized human beings’ intoxication with power. Given the fear dominated the world at the time, Russell’s recommendations for future generations were remarkably wise and insightful. Indeed, this book constitutes a great example of a survival crisis... Read more
Every year Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha, remembering Prophets Abraham and Ishmael’s sacrifice. But what is the true meaning of that story and why is it held with such importance? Read more
It’s a historic evening at the Viatorian Province Center. Beyond the gently rolling lawn and tree-lined drive, the center’s customary calm is pervaded with a hum of excitement. A peek into the building’s meeting room reveals a flurry of dinner preparations. As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, guests of all faiths filter inside to a filled-to-capacity event, to join their Muslim friends and neighbors for a Ramadan iftar – a meal marking the end of a day... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In