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Why Witness?
With this blog, I hope to provide new insights, break down misconceptions, and spur thoughtful discussion on topics of religion, culture, politics and social justice. I write particularly on issues of comparative religion (between Islam and Christianity) and Islamophobia in post-9/11 America. I also write about my Catholic faith, American politics, journalism, and the Middle East.
The goal of a writer, a Christian, and a Muslim, is to be a witness to a greater Truth. Hence, the blog's title.
“You are my witness…and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am He.” Isaiah 43:10, the Bible
“And thus have We willed you to be a community of the middle way, so that [with your lives] you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind.” Surat al-Baqara, the Qur'an
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Category Archives: Politics
Why you should care about the National Defense Authorization Act
*This is a long post. But its length reflects the importance of its topic. I hope this discussion communicates the complexity of the NDAA and the significance of the law’s implications. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was signed into … Continue reading
The Oslo Opportunity, Part 4: ‘He’s not a Christian!’
As the terrorist attacks unfolded in Norway but before their origins were fully known, many assumed that the perpetrator was a Muslim. To everyone’s surprise, the terrorist wasn’t Muslim, but rather a blond, Christian, anti-Muslim extremist, Anders Behring Breivik. Immediately … Continue reading
The Oslo Opportunity, Part 3: ‘Counter-jihad’ crusaders
The terror attacks in Norway occurred on foreign soil, but they have a disturbing connection to our own country and those who perpetuate fear of Islam here. To understand the link, we need to look no further than Anders Behring … Continue reading
The Oslo Opportunity, Part 2: Fears of an emerging “Eurabia”
I write often about Islamophobia in America, and while it is a massive and growing problem, it plagues Europe far more. Let’s uncover why. Unlike America, which was founded to embrace diversity, western European states each grew out of a … Continue reading
The Oslo Opportunity, Part 1: Talking about Terrorism
In the weeks since the terrorist attacks in Norway, I’ve read a lot of articles and op-eds attempting to flesh out their implications and identify the tensions that led to them. Though the attacks were truly horrific, they present us … Continue reading
Searching for our own Edward R. Murrow
Today, New York Representative Peter King held a second round of Congressional hearings concerning “Muslim radicalization in the U.S.” In an era when anti-Muslim rhetoric continues to spew unchecked from the mouths of presidential hopefuls and talking heads on cable, … Continue reading
Why I’m scared
In my last post, I said I’m not sure that America is beyond the kind of bigotry and intolerance that led to the internment of Japanese Americans several decades ago. And I think the following video proves my point. Last … Continue reading
Thoughts on King’s “radicalization” hearings
“I remember doing a number of radio interviews [right after 9/11] saying we can’t do to the Muslims what we did to the Japanese after Pearl Harbor.” (New York magazine) These are the words of Peter King, a long-time House … Continue reading
