A study released today shows an increase in the media for negative messages about Muslims. That probably comes as no surprise to Muslims. Christopher Bail, an assistant professor of sociology in University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s College of Arts and Sciences, used plagiarism detection software to track the influence of 1,084 press releases [...]
There were only three women listed in the Top 50 of The Muslim 500, the world’s most influential Muslims. I admit I was disappointed that there weren’t more. Sheikha Munira Qubeysi (number 21), an educator of girls and women; Queen Rania of Jordan (number 37), who promotes global education; and Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned [...]
Ismat Alam, Schenectady’s finance commissioner, is resigning to become the chief financial officer at Proctors Theatre. Originally from Pakistan, she is a graduate of the University at Albany and a former GE employee. She was hired by Brian Stratton, then mayor of Schenectady, about eight years ago to help right the city’s finances. The city’s [...]
“We may all agree that we have countless bounties bestowed upon us, not of our doings, for which to be grateful. Regardless of which culture or belief we belong to, we can come together to celebrate Thanksgiving.” That’s how the press release began from the Turkish Cultural Center Albany. The center will hold a free community [...]
Two women from third world countries made the list this year: Filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy of Pakistan was one of Glamour magazine’s Women of the Year. She has been working tirelessly to bring to the forefront the plight of young girls and women who have had acid thrown on their faces. She is the winner of [...]
“I still don’t believe I am here”, the very quiet Emily told me, “It is beyond all what I imagined, it is different from all what I pictured, I have prepared myself for a long time, but still it is different from what I thought.” Emily is 19 she converted to Islam two years ago [...]
From a Strict Catholic to a Quran Teacher “Islam saved my life” said Katia assuredly as she tells me about her story of conversion. I will narrate the story exactly the way she says it: I always believed in fate, in the Creator and in the hereafter.my neighbor was a Muslim, I met her at [...]
Hajj is not the fifth pillar of Islam, or a special ritual to be performed on certain dates and times. It has more depth and meaning behind it. One of its most important experiences is meeting new people, people whom you would never meet elsewhere, people from around the globe drawn with their passion to [...]