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 month, in Orange County, California, Muslim families were attending a dinner hosted by Islamic Circle …

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 representative from Long Island and the head of the House Homeland Security committee.  Before 9/11, …

Islam & women piece: Seeking questions from my readers

Have you ever seen a girl wearing a headscarf walking on campus or in the grocery store and wanted to ask, "Why do you wear that? Are you forced to?" Post 9/11, many Americans have lots of questions about the relationship between Islam and women, but many have no place where they can express their concerns and questions. With this blog post, and a new project I'm beginning, I'm attempting to provide that forum for asking questions and providing some answers.

A sacrificial feast

Written  November 2010. Today, Muslims are celebrating Eid al-Adha, the holiest holiday in the Islamic calendar. It is similar to Christians’ Easter celebrations, in that it is the most important holiday of the year, yet the worldwide festivities and preparations are less extensive than those during the month of Ramadan (which is similar to Christmastime …