By Ali Bin Omer

Mar/Apr 2024

On a chilly Saturday afternoon in January, 400,000 resilient individuals gathered at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., united in support of our brothers and sisters in Palestine. We gathered to demand that the U.S call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, cease unconditional funding of military actions by Israel, hold its leaders accountable for war crimes and continuous violations of international law and ultimately work toward the liberation of Palestinians. 

As part of a Global Day of Action, busloads of protestors arrived from Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and other states, resulting in the largest pro-Palestine protest in this country’s history. It was endorsed by the American Muslim Task Force for Palestine which includes American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), CAIR and ICNA along with hundreds of additional organizations nationwide.

After 100+ days of intense carpet bombing and a high number of innocent civilians murdered, the march was timely, as this collective movement was feeling the weight of the brutality we continue to witness daily via our smartphones in the palm of our hands.

Palestinians are currently experiencing the greatest threat to their existence. Nearly 2 million of them in the Gaza Strip have been displaced and are now threatened with famine … not to mention the rise in aggression and the siege on Palestinians in Jenin, Ramallah, Al Quds, Hebron and other cities in Palestine.

A sea of black, green, red and white flags flooded the streets of D.C., with hundreds of thousands of voices for the voiceless chanting “Free, Free Palestine” and “End Genocide Now.”

Religious Leaders and Activists Take to the Stage

“South Africa is keeping alive the legacy of Nelson Mandela and suing Israel in the International Court of Justice, the highest court in the world, and they are charging the country with genocide,” proclaimed Yasir Qadhi (dean, Islamic Seminary of America). “We need to call a spade a spade. This is not antisemitism; it is speaking the truth. The Palestinian people are live tweeting their own genocide. They’re uploading images of their own massacre.”

 “We have been walking the halls of Congress every day for the last three months,” stated Medea Benjamin (co-founder, CODE PINK). “We need them to know that we will not stand by as they continue the genocide.”

“We are here to represent the 36,000 people that have either been martyred or are under the rubble,” said Shaykh Omar Suleiman (founder and president, Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research). “If we were to take to the streets for every casualty and every person under the rubble, it would take us 100 years to honor each and every single one of them.”

Wael al-Dahdouh (correspondent, Al Jazeera), whose wife, daughter, two sons and a grandchild were recently killed in Gaza, delivered a powerful statement via video call. “Gaza is going through a period of great hardship. The people here are paying a truly exorbitant price and are living a disastrous life. People do not have sustenance, food, or drink, a place to sleep, a bathroom and what is necessary for life — not for a decent life, [but] rather what is basically necessary to maintain life.” 

Alana Hadid, the oldest daughter of Mohammad Hadid (real estate mogul and survivor of the 1948 Nakba), passionately professed that “Collective freedom is what Palestinians have taught the world. Bravery and perseverance is what Palestinians have shown us day after day, not just for 100 days but 75 years, and we must continue the struggle for them.” 

Rally Attendees from All Walks of Life 

Outside of the inspirational speakers, many of us found value and warmth in the opportunity to connect with the greater pro-Palestine community. Many are showing their support in a silo through online activism on social media, calling our representatives (who once again prove to be useless) and attending protests as our circle of friends, coworkers, acquaintances and the like remain silent. It was a crucial step in a long battle to be among like-minded people who support humanity and justice for all. 

Two young women from St. Louis, one Palestinian-American and the other Caucasian-American, braved the long ride to D.C. They spoke about how the genocide had deeply impacted them and felt it was their duty to attend in person. 

A family of four from Alexandria, Va., also attended the march in solidarity, as it was personal for the family’s matriarch. Her great-grandfather immigrated from Palestine to Bolivia to escape apartheid. She has been horrified by the events of the past 3 months and considered it imperative to attend, along with her Irish American husband and twin daughters.

People from all walks of life traveled to be there. “I’m here because of the children being slaughtered,” said one Catholic attendee from Maryland. “Our president had said he would not go to war.”

“I understand that at times wars are needed, but there are rules that must be followed. Civilians cannot be killed for no reason,” said a Muslim attendee from New York. 

We came together, listened, shared stories, shed tears, shared laughter, marched, resisted and stood united for Palestine. We must fight, we must resist, and we must preserve until “from the river to the sea, Palestine is free” and every human being in this world is free.

Ali Bin Omer is a freelance writer.

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By Kiran Ansari

Mar/Apr 2024

These days, Muslims worldwide wake up and check their phones to see if a ceasefire has been declared in Gaza. At press time, Palestinians have been killed, injured and displaced for 100+ days. Trying to absorb information from all over social media and a few media outlets that provide some balanced coverage, parents wonder how they can explain the situation to their young children? 

“I can shield my children from graphic images of the wounded and killed, but I do not want to shield them from the truth,” said Nida Khan of Fresno, Calif. “We are witnessing a genocide. I owe it to my children to tell them the story of the Palestinian cause in an age-appropriate manner, and one of the best ways to do it is through books. This is even more important for Muslim kids who do not have a Palestinian family member to share stories firsthand.”

Islamic Horizons asked MuslimMemories.com about which children’s books on Palestine have been popular lately. We then set out to interview those authors and learn about their journey to inspire more authors to share, because our children deserve to read authentic stories. 

You Are The Color

“I had always wanted to write a book about the Nakba, one of the seminal events in Palestinian history that must be understood in order to understand what is still happening in Palestine today,” said Rifk Ebeid, a Palestinian author who self-published “You Are The Color” and “Baba, What Does My Name Mean?” 

“I researched Nakba survivor testimonies and oral history. I delved into what life was like in Palestine before, during and after the Nakba. This took some time due to the heavy nature of the topic and my capacity to process it all.”

After developing the idea, Ebeid worked with Hajera Khaja, a wonderful writing coach, to help bring the story to life. What really helped flesh it out was the process of free writing, seeing where the pen was taking her and what plot sequence felt like it captured what she wanted to convey. The result is an impactful and authentic story of one Palestinian family that encompasses many of the real experiences during the Nakba. 

Ebeid believes that for Palestinians, as they resist the erasure of their culture and existence, sharing stories is crucial to documenting their experiences. “Every action we take individually will have a ripple effect collectively. You never know who is listening, who is learning from you and what they will do in the future with that knowledge they have gained,” she stated.

“Sitti’s Key”

“I never understood the history of my homeland until I visited Palestine and learned about its rich history,” said Sahar Khader, author of “Sitti’s Key.” She continued, “When I had my first child, I was always looking for books that shared Palestine’s history in a simple way, but I never found them. So I took matters into my own hands and decided that I should publish a children’s book about the collective memory of the key.” In 2023, this proud Palestinian did just that. 

In light of the current genocide in Gaza, the book presents the repetition of history. Readers find flashbacks about what happened in 1948, when 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes. Unfortunately, what is happening now in Gaza is even worse — more than 1.2 million Palestinians have had to leave their homes. This book teaches the younger generation that what is going on today in Gaza has been happening for 75 years. 

“My Garden Over Gaza” 

Sarah Musa started writing “My Garden Over Gaza” in May 2021 when Israel was bombing Gaza. As a Palestinian-American living in Jordan, she had watched this happen for years. “My father left the Al-Quds region when he was 15, and he was never allowed back,” she said. “It is painful to watch how history repeats itself again and again.”

As she started getting vocal on Instagram and getting to know activists, one of her writer friends encouraged her to write a book. That was her lightbulb moment. “Palestine is a part of who I am, so why haven’t I done it yet?” Musa wondered. “I have had a rooftop garden like they have in Gaza. It’s one way for them to produce their own food because of sieges and the aerial spraying of herbicides on agricultural crops.”

Types of Publishing

Although there have been a handful of children’s books about Palestine from traditional publishing houses, Muslim authors aren’t happy about the representation. Many Palestinian authors fear that their story will be diluted, sanitized or edited. Even though Ebeid has heard from some author friends that they have more control over the narrative, it’s still an uphill battle. Muslims have seen silence and censorship from the book community during this genocide. 

“The topic of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing is multi-layered. I hate to distinguish when it comes to Palestine, in particular, because of how Palestinian voices have been censored for decades,” she said. “Although I understand the aspect of wanting to hold mainstream publishers accountable for being more inclusive of diverse voices, I find the distinction between the two routes to be divisive at a time where we need all hands on deck and should all support each other’s efforts.”

Khader began the publishing process with a mainstream company, but her passion for “Sitti’s Key” was so high that she felt they didn’t understand it, especially when it came to illustration. That led her to cancel her contract with them. 

Her book was then published by Little Hibba, a children’s publishing company that empowers Muslim authors to share meaningful messages with the next generation. “They worked closely with me and understood my passion,” Khader related. “I also had the pleasure of working with the illustrator, Noor Alshalabi, who paid attention to certain details and brought my vision to life.”

Musa’s experience with mainstream publishing wasn’t great — not because anything bad happened, but because nothing really happened. She tried to get published for 15 years, but never heard back. She believes many mainstream publishing houses aren’t really interested in unapologetic Muslim stories. 

“They want to show they care, but it’s only superficial. They want to just add a Muslim twist to an American story. They have no interest in real Palestinian stories. They want to minimize that kind of stuff,” she asserted. 

She wanted to get “A Garden Over Gaza” out quickly. Her sister told her about Ruqaya’s Bookshelf, a Muslim publishing company in Canada. What started out as an eBook flowered into a manuscript.

“I had never written a book about a Muslim protagonist — it was colonized out of my mind,” Musa recollects. “I dove into it 100% and submitted my manuscript in a week. Publisher Asmaa Hussein got back to me promptly, and I signed my first book deal.”

Muslim authors don’t want publishing companies that just pretend to care. They believe that if Muslims want authentic and unapologetic stories, the community needs to support small Muslim publishers. Mainstream publishing companies have huge advertising budgets. The sprouting Muslim publishers don’t have the resources yet, so we, as the umma, have to do that. 

“Growing up, I felt like an odd phenomenon with a Palestinian father and Hispanic mother,” Musa said. “As a child, I would have been over the moon to have a book that truly represented me. Now as a parent, rather than always reading about Stephanie and Jake, I want my kids to feel heard and seen. It can boost their self-confidence. So we need to support Muslim authors and publishers. Let’s be their microphones so more people become aware.” 

Readers can purchase these and many other titles at www.muslimmemories.com and support Muslim book stores. 

Kiran Ansari is the assistant editor of Islamic Horizons. She hopes to visit a free Palestine one day.

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By Zanah Ghalawanji

Mar/Apr 2024

In a shocking violation of anti-discrimination laws, Montgomery County (Md.) public school teacher Hajur El-Haggan faced immediate leave and investigation for sharing the Palestinian slogan, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Her non-Muslim colleagues who shared similar speech have not been disciplined. This incident is emblematic of a troubling trend where American employees supporting Palestinian freedom are harshly reprimanded. 

Over the past three months, civil rights organizations like CAIR have received numerous complaints of employer retaliation against those speaking out on the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza. CAIR headquarters has seen a 20-fold increase in calls involving professional repercussions for political speech. The backlash is “unprecedented,” says Zainab Chaudry, director of CAIR’s Maryland office. 

During this period, employees have witnessed a stark reality of limited speech rights, with institutions in the U.S. disregarding anti-discrimination laws and free speech protections. Despite the U.S. priding itself on valuing freedom of expression, American employers target pro-Palestinian employees through disproportionate enforcement of workplace policies, strict limitations on private speech and the weaponization of fear-mongering tactics. 

Anne Arundel County (Md.) special education teacher Saera Suhail also found herself a target of employer investigations into violations of rarely enforced policies. She was accused of violating email policies after opposing the county’s biased curriculum on the Gaza crisis. The school’s principal claimed that Suhail sent an unapproved email to staff when she responded to the county’s email. The selective enforcement of policies reveals a pattern of discrimination against Muslim teachers of color. Other public-school teachers in Montgomery County were accused of antisemitism, placed on leave and investigated for sharing political commentary on Facebook. 

Other Professions Too

This discrimination extends beyond schools. An Ohio Muslima beauty technician was terminated by the salon’s Jewish owner after she shared posts highlighting the current situation in Gaza. The owner claimed that she violated the salon’s social media policy, despite having reportedly posting herself an Instagram story that referred to what appeared to be Palestinians as “sick animals.” 

Even government employees, theoretically protected by the First Amendment, face investigations for pro-Palestine posts on personal social media. A government attorney was publicly doxed and threatened by pro-Israel advocates and placed under investigation for sharing an Instagram reel that debunked myths surrounding the crisis. Despite her speech being protected by the First Amendment, Republican lawmakers are pressuring her employer to terminate her. 

Pro-Israel groups like the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and the Anti-Defamation League are exerting pressure behind the scenes to have employers fire individuals who openly support Palestine. 

In the cases of the Montgomery County teachers, the JCRC issued a statement alleging that they had been placed on administrative leave for sharing “antisemitic images and messages on their social media accounts.” It supported the county’s removal of them. According to its website, one of JCRC’s “four pillars” is Israel Advocacy. 

The strategy of condemning pro-Palestinian views as antisemitic is further reinforced by political resolutions. The Republican-controlled House passed a resolution equating anti zionism with antisemitism, contributing even more to the chilling effect on free expression. 

Employees critical of Israel face not only professional consequences, but also personal attacks, thereby creating an environment in which any such criticism risks causing permanent damage to one’s reputation. The weaponization of fear-mongering tactics extends to prohibiting pro-Palestinian clothing, reprimanding employees for cultural symbols and even suppressing Palestinian identity through dress codes. Palestinians have reported employer bans on keffiyehs, a traditional Palestinian scarf. The professional blowback has been lopsided, but workers who have made pro-Palestinian statements are bearing the brunt of it. 

CAIR is encouraging employees facing retaliation for speaking out to fill out and submit an online civil rights complaint form available at www.cair.com. We also encourage everyone to review our “Know Your Rights Materials” on www.islamophobia.org. 

Zanah Ghalawanji, Esq., is CAIR’s staff attorney.

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By Sundus Abrar

Mar/Apr 2024

The pro-Israel bias of prominent Western media outlets has become even clearer as they continue to unapologetically broadcast the Gaza genocide. In response, more people are turning to social media to educate themselves about Israel’s atrocities. In their effort to learn this suppressed narrative, many have been moved by the Palestinians’ resilience. 

Activist and famous TikToker Megan Rice felt compelled to read the Quran after seeing the Palestinians’ firm faith. She witnessed them praising God and turning to prayer during their tremendous hardship, marveling at their certainty in Islam. Driven solely by the intention to build empathy and compassion for different faiths, she started the World Religion Book Club to discuss various religious texts. When she started reading the Quran, she shared her journey on social media. Her conception of it began to evolve, and Rice was candid in her appreciation.  Her account drew many followers, and she became a prominent figure when she started reading and sharing her reaction in live videos. 

Rice took her shahada two weeks later. “I went in just to better understand my fellow human beings. I did not go in with any intention or conversion, but of course Allah had other plans for me, SubhanAllah,” Rice said in an interview with Islamic Horizons. She’s not the only one. While it’s challenging to accurately quantify how many people are reverting, there is no doubt about the heightened interest.

Dawah Organizations See a Surge in Demand

Wajahat Sayeed (founder and president, Al-Furqaan Foundation) stated that the foundation is seeing a significant demand for copies of the translation of the Quran. The largest North American publisher of the Quran, it also publishes The Clear Quran (trans. Mustafa Khattab).  

Since the crisis in Gaza began, this 20-year-old da‘wa foundation has seen a tenfold increase in Quran packages going out. Gain Peace has also received the highest number of requests recently that they’ve had in the last 25 years. 

“The Clear Quran uses modern English, and since Dr. Khattab is experienced in dawah, his translation has a context that is relatable to and Muslims and those of other faiths,” said Dr. Sabeel Ahmed (founder and executive director, Gain Peace). “The Muslim community would miss out on the opportunity to strengthen the umma if we don’t attempt to acknowledge and mindfully extend the support required to those entering Islam.”

Beware of the Haram Police

Following her shahada, Rice received harsh commentary from fellow Muslims regarding her personal choices. She was being bombarded by the haram police, “individuals who offer unsolicited advice without understanding context.” Their often overzealous and accusatory comments and conduct is incompatible with the Prophet’s (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) sunna. 

This approach is especially demoralizing for reverts just embarking on their journey. Several people reached out to Rice and shared their leaving Islam due to such overbearing judgments. Rice chose to prioritize her relationship with her faith and, for the time being, is refraining from publicly sharing her progress in learning about the deen.

“I recognize the need for correction sometimes, but it doesn’t have to be so disciplinary. Saying ‘Don’t do this. It’s haram’ won’t sink in because the correction comes before the why,” she stated. 

Sara Morandini, 38, has been Muslim for three years and agrees with Rice. Raised Catholic and adhering to Buddhism for almost ten years before considering Islam, she began learning about Islam after a challenging year following a divorce and the abrupt loss of two loved ones in a car accident. 

“I was going through a lot, and I said to myself, ‘It doesn’t take anything away from me if I start reading the Quran,’” she remarked. Propelled to Islam through the difficulty she was enduring, she found solace in learning about the Quran and sunna and was mindful of who she chose to be around. Trying to be close to people who were helping her, she advises reverts to prioritize their personal connection with God and commit themselves to gaining knowledge.

“You will meet people who may disappoint you,” she says. “The foundation of faith cannot be another person. It can’t be your husband, a parent, or an influencer.” 

Living in Italy when the Covid-19 pandemic started, she took her shahada via Skype in 2020. She appreciates the shaykh and her local Muslim community, both of whom were patient and encouraging before and after she became Muslim. She has had mostly positive experiences in her interactions with other Muslims — with one exception that occurred a few months after she accepted Islam.

A Muslim woman invited her home for dinner. Upon being introduced to the woman’s husband, Morandini acted upon instinct and shook his hand. The host chastised her, even though she offered a more elaborate explanation later. At that time, Morandini, who is of Brazilian and Italian descent, had little awareness of Islamic values and recalls feeling deeply hurt. “Her first reaction, the look on her face, was very hard for me. I avoided her for a long time after that,” she said. 

“Harsh admonishments, no matter how well intentioned, can be incredibly detrimental to spiritual development,” Dr. Ahmed said. “You can’t teach new Muslims the way you teach children at Sunday school. You need to consider the baggage and where they are coming from to optimize the teaching. They can get overwhelmed and discouraged. A lot of patience and wisdom is necessary.”

Welcome Without Judgment 

Gain Peace works diligently to integrate reverts into the community via classes on Islam’s foundations and facilitating mentorship between volunteers and reverts. Mentees are trained before being matched to assist reverts according to their specific situation. Dr. Ahmed observed that reverts benefit tremendously from observing the growth of others like them. “If they are in the company of other new Muslims, they can find motivation in their success.”  

Rice attests to this. “Even though I am a Muslim now, I am technically seeing it from the outside and I still have questions. I so badly want to share my experience with Islam with the rest of the community, but it feels like there is a fear of asking questions. So, I turned to other reverts and felt more understood by them,” she shared. 

Sayeed advises Muslims to be thoughtful when informing others about Islamic principles. Though he has been a lifelong Muslim, he didn’t always have a strong connection to the deen. He underwent a personal religious transformation and left his corporate career to focus on dawah. “It was a whole character transformation,” said Sayeed. “If you are going to antagonize, you are missing the point. We need to be caring and have a love for all humanity. When people become religious, they forget how they once used to be.” 

Community members’ judgmental attitude can lead to mosques and events becoming intimidating environments for new Muslims. With this in mind, Al-Furqaan Foundation recently opened The Clear Islam information center in Windsor, Ontario. People can walk into this downtown storefront and receive literature on Islam and talk with the staff or volunteers. Sayeed’s goal is that the space be welcoming even to Muslims who may have lost touch with the faith.

Ramadan for New Reverts

At the time of speaking to Islamic Horizons, Rice had been a Muslim for only two months. However, she was already being enthusiastically approached about Ramadan, which was another two months away. 

“From the very moment I reverted, people have been asking me ‘Are you excited about Ramadan?’ As a revert, I am just seeing it as a time that we are dry fasting because I haven’t experienced it. That alone is a little scary. I’m not seeing it in the same magical light yet,” said Rice. 

Ramadan 2024 will be the first Ramadan for many new reverts. Dr. Ahmed said that although the community is energized and eager to welcome reverts when they take their shahada, more commitment is necessary for sustained support. 

“Right after the shahada there are 200 people hugging the brother or sister and offering advice, and that’s very overwhelming,” he said. He encourages mosques to understand the needs of reverts and educate the community during khutbas, to host events with special consideration for reverts and maintain a database to stay connected with them. He advises families to reach out to inquire about reverts and work to build relationships with them. Invite them for iftar at your home and include them in Eid celebrations. It’s about time that the community goes beyond that first hug.  

Please contact Gain Peace at 1-800-622-ISLAM and gainpeace.com to learn more about Islam. Visit furqaan.org to donate copies of the Quran and support other projects. 

Sundus Abrar is a freelance writer. She hopes to see a more diverse and inclusive Muslim community.

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The post Embracing our Growing Umma  appeared first on Islamic Horizons.

By Yvonne Maffei

Mar/Apr 2024

It can feel so ironic: Ramadan is an incredible opportunity to zone in on what’s most important now and to our afterlife, a time to deepen our connection with God and spend less time on worldly desires. Yet it seems a common phenomenon to spend more time shopping for food, cooking, and entertaining. This emphasis on food leaves us with no real quality time for the intended purpose of fasting: to increase our acts of worship.  

Fasting is meant to aid in that process by affording us this vast open space of time so that we are free for ‘ibada via such methods as reading more Quran, doing more dhikr, increasing acts of charity and offering extra prayers. However, we can easily end up focusing a bit too much on food preparation and planning entertainment like large iftar gatherings. 

Although sharing iftar is a wonderful way to stay connected socially and gain the good deeds of feeding our fellow fasters, there are some important ways to maximize our time in order to derive many benefits from this holy month. With some planning, we can also reduce the stress and overwhelming feelings that creep in by packing too many unnecessary things in a day and over the course of the month. 

If you don’t want to be slaving in the kitchen for hours upon hours this Ramadan, yet you want to create delicious and nutritious iftar and suhoor dishes, here are a few of my best suggestions to accomplish just that.

Quality Over Quantity

There is a common saying among great chefs: “You’re only as good as the quality of your ingredients.” Essentially, you really can’t produce great food with low-quality products. I would also add that, more importantly, the food’s quality determines its nutritional value. Choosing the most nutrient-dense foods will provide a power punch of vitamins and minerals to your diet — and you don’t need to consume a large amount to receive that nutrition. 

To get those foods, seek out quality, chemical-free ingredients grown in nutrient-rich soil at local farmers markets, organic foods from your local grocer and seasonal and local products from your local food co-operative. Doing so will usually provide a vast increase in your food’s nutritional value than conventionally grown food that has been sprayed with insecticides and pesticides and shipped around the world and across the country to get to your plate. So much of its nutritional value is lost during this process. If you want to be really satisfied when you eat, choose quality over quantity. In addition, you’ll be choosing better health. In this case, less can be more. 

Simplicity is Key

There’s really no need to slave over a stove for hours just to put a healthy meal on the table. Some of the best, most flavorful ingredients require minimal processing. When you choose seasonal and local produce, you don’t have to do much to it. In fact, it’s preferable not to add anything extra, for you want to taste the vegetables and fruits and the good meats and fish you’ve brought home, not drown them in flavors and sauces that mask their true essence. 

That simplicity brings out their full flavor, satisfies the senses and develops the palette for the taste of real food. Imagine a sun-ripened summer tomato — at most all it needs is a tiny bit of sea salt and a drizzle of good-quality olive oil. Once you’ve tried this, you’ll never want an out-of-season tomato drowning in a sauce that masks its lack of freshness. 

Put Family Favorites on Repeat

Who says you must have 30 days of different dishes in Ramadan? One of the most efficient ways to keep things simple and reduce your overall stress about cooking and serving healthy meals during this month is to list, cook and put your family favorites on repeat. 

Of course, this list needs to be made well before the month starts. But you can brainstorm your favorites, match them up with what’s in season and plan your shopping. Think practically about how these dishes will work. Are they super time-consuming, for example? Prep ahead of time or think about how they can be simplified to achieve maximum success in making things simpler and tastier. 

Sample Meal and Ingredient Suggestions for a Spring Ramadan

Salads are a great dish to consume in the spring because of the nice variety of cold-weather crops like arugula, spinach, red leaf and Romaine lettuce varieties. Utilize all the fresh and in-season leafy green vegetable options, as well as beets, carrots and cucumbers. Add a touch of sumac for a citrus flavor and a very good olive oil for its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Another vegetable variety that packs a power punch and is widely available in spring is the vast array of mushrooms. When cooked well, mushrooms can almost make you think you’re eating meat. They’re hearty and earthy, and you can find inexpensive varieties like the Cremini mushroom, which is such a perfect and delicious option. Sauté them in a mixture of olive oil and butter and add only salt, pepper and fresh or dried parsley. This can be a meal in and of itself, as well as a side dish or addition to rice or pasta. 

Alternatively, you can make a more delicate dish like Risotto with Asparagus and Green Peas — two wonderfully fragrant and light spring vegetables that pair lovely with fish but can also be a meal on its own. 

Even meat has a season and, during the spring it’s spring lamb that will be freshly available, especially if you can source it from a local farm. For large gatherings, roast a leg of lamb. For smaller gatherings, make a lovely rack of lamb with date sauce or oven-roasted lamb chops with just a few added seasonings and fresh or dried herbs like thyme and oregano. 

For early morning suhoor meals, keep fresh seasonal fruits like raspberries and blueberries on hand so they can be juiced or made into yogurt parfaits or smoothies. 

Desserts don’t have to be complicated, either. Add some melted chocolate, chopped pistachio and coconut to some of those dates you’ll surely have on hand, pop them in the freezer and in just an hour or so you’ll have a chewy, creamy dessert that took less than five minutes to prepare. 

To sum up, find the best ingredients and keep the recipes simple to maximize your time and effort. This will also help maximize the flavor and nutritional value of the meals you serve. 

Yvonne Maffei, MA, is a food and travel writer, independent researcher, cookbook author and entrepreneur. She is the founder of MyHalalKitchen.com, the first website on halal food and cooking. Her mission is to make global cuisine halal and spread the concept of culinary diplomacy as a means of bringing everyone to the table. Her cookbooks include “My Halal Kitchen” (2016) and “Summer Ramadan Cooking” (2013). She divides her time between the U.S. and Canada — and anywhere else she can travel around the world.

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The post Spending Ramadan in the Kitchen? appeared first on Islamic Horizons.

By Areena Ali Memon

Mar/Apr 2024

“There was no me left — just him and his needs. The viler things he said, the more I tried to prove my love and worth…Verbally and emotionally, he used gaslighting and love bombing. I felt consumed in every aspect of my being. He gave the silent treatment like a star, and I would try to jolt him out of dark moods, taking responsibility for everything and apologizing just to stop the fights.” 

This is just one survivor’s insight from Shahida Arabi’s “Becoming the Narcissist’s Nightmare” (SCW Archer Publishing, 2016). The term narcissism is being thrown around a lot lately. This is because lay people without any clinical background are diagnosing others as having narcissistic personality disorders (NPD). However, just like passing other judgments, we should be cautious before attaching potentially damaging labels. 

In his “Vocabulary of a Narcissist” (Sept. 2022) khutba, Shaykh Omar Suleiman said that “The Quran calls upon us to be very introspective. Even in the story of Fir‘aun, instead of thinking about pharaohs of the world as they exist today, actually ask yourself, ‘Do I have some of the traits of Fir‘aun?’” 

Healthy and Unhealthy Narcissism

This term originates from Greek mythology, according to which a handsome young man named Narcissus fell in love with his image reflected in a pool of water. He spent hours gazing at the image and admiring himself. It’s a personality trait that, just like anger, we all possess. While most people see it in a negative light, there is also a healthy version of narcissism that looks like better self-esteem. 

“Healthy narcissism is the middle path between arrogant narcissism and being a doormat,” said Haleh Banani (MA, University of Houston; founder, The Mindful Hearts Academy) who also offers faith-based counseling. “One extreme is all about themselves with no regard to other people and how they are impacted. The other end of the spectrum is total disregard for themselves, where a people pleaser would do anything for anyone at any time without caring about how it impacts them.” 

Healthy narcissism is having self-esteem and assertiveness without stepping on others. That’s the middle path toward which Islam calls us. She also explained how people use the concept of eethaar (sacrifice) to justify being a people pleaser, although they usually act out of frustration because they cannot say “No.” 

Unhealthy narcissism, however, can turn into a full-blown personality disorder. “Someone may have some traits and not others. It’s not an all or nothing scenario,” writes Arabi. “The root problems are ‘excessive admiration of themselves’ and that ‘the world revolves around them.’” Therefore, it’s better to say that someone has narcissistic traits or is a narcissist and leave the diagnosis to a licensed and trained clinician.

Dr. Fahad Khan (MS, MA, PsyD), a licensed clinical psychologist and deputy director at Khalil Center in Lombard, Ill., stated, “People need to realize that when marriage gets difficult, you are bound to not like your spouse. If you go online and look stuff up, you’ll find one or more symptoms of some psychological disorder in your partner or in-laws. We must not let this blessing of access to information become a curse for ourselves and our relationships.”

Assumptions About Narcissists

Narcissism is not gender biased. Women often complain that their husbands are narcissists, usually because they generally share more about their personal and relationship problems. That doesn’t mean that only men can be narcissists. While genetics can be one factor, another one can be a traumatic childhood or overindulgence.

Another incorrect assumption is that religious men are more narcissistic and can abuse women by playing the “qawwam card,” (Quran 4:34,) which some translators have interpreted as a husband being allowed to strike his wife in specific circumstances. However, we cannot generalize this to include all religious men. 

“And how do we really measure who is more religious,” asked Khan. “Do we judge based on their clothing or which row they stand in the masjid? Religiosity could be measured by taqwa, and that’s something only Allah knows.”

Relationship With a Narcissist

Close relationships with narcissists can be very painful — from wanting to seek an emotional connection with them to wondering if they even love you, from begging them to understand your side to realizing that they may not even really care. While a couple can divorce, Islamic principles state that no family member can be cut off completely. 

“Be patient and set healthy boundaries. Model healthy behaviors and make du‘a for them, because our belief is that Allah can heal any sickness and disorder,” said Khan. “Individuals with unhealthy narcissism or the personality disorder who seek professional support can heal over time, God willing.”

Anyone married to a narcissist faces a huge dilemma: divorce or staying in a marriage in which they have invested years and have children. Barring abuse, if your partner is willing to seek professional help, it may be worth giving it another chance. 

Picking a Spouse

With so many cases of narcissistic abuse, young Muslims today are very anxious about getting married. Narcissism is hard to gauge in a few meetings, as many Muslims do not date. It basically boils down to asking others and trying to observe behaviors. Banani suggested meeting in different settings, perhaps in an escape room or other places with a group and see how the prospective spouse fares under pressure. Focus on behavior, not words. 

Khan pointed out a common problem: either young Muslims let their parents choose a spouse, and thereby neither interact with him/her nor examine their true gut feelings before the wedding. Or on the other extreme, they get too emotionally involved prior to anything being finalized and even ignore their rationality and logic. 

While getting to know one another, note if they start swearing in stressful situations and how many times you have to change your schedule to suit their needs. Arrange for plenty of time between meetings so you can process the experience. Keep some close people involved and updated, as they may be able to point out things you didn’t notice.

In the end, you can never really be sure. Some people can hide their narcissistic traits very well or may not even be aware of them. After doing your homework, augment your decisions with du‘a, istikhara, and trusting God.

The Community’s Role 

While narcissistic abuse often happens behind closed doors, the community can be there for those suffering via educating people and creating mosque-based support systems. 

Education is important because those suffering in silence may find the strength to reach out, these traits might be nipped in the bud and it can reduce blaming the victim for something beyond his/her control. Such statements  as “You must have done something to trigger his/her anger.” “Did you try working it out?” or “Didn’t you know about his anger issues before marriage?” only re-traumatize the victim. 

Creating such systems can help build relationships that can handle serious discussions and create safe spaces for meaningful dialog. 

Do Not Despair

In a beautifully articulated paragraph in The Muslim Narcissist (2021), Mona Alyereessy writes, “The Arabic word for delay is ta’kheer and the word for goodness is khair. Both share the three root letters kha, yaa and raa. I find it beautiful, as God has placed so much goodness in every delay to express His Divine Love and Mercy for us. So, no matter how long you take to heal, how many obstacles you experience, how many injuries and hardships you have endured, how many doors have closed and how long you’ve patiently waited for your rizq — don’t lose hope; God promises that what’s good for you is on its way.” 

Healing from Narcissistic Abuse

• Healing starts with accepting that it wasn’t your fault. This is crucial, as abusers use gaslighting and manipulation to gradually instill the seed of guilt in their victim’s mind. 

• Forgive yourself for choosing him/her as a partner or staying in the marriage. Give yourself grace, for you did the best you could. At the end it was all meant to be, which is our belief in divine decree. Remember, God doesn’t burden a soul with more than what it can bear (2:286).

• Don’t wait for an apology, for that can come only if and when he/she admits the abuse — a highly unlikely event. Forgive them for God’s sake and rid your heart of any grudges so you can heal and move on.

• Set boundaries if you still must interact with the narcissist as a co-parent or family member. It can be challenging, but necessary. As these people feel a sense of entitlement and may see others as a threat, they will react to this preventative strategy. Banani suggests using “I” instead of “you.” Try saying, “I feel this way” as opposed to “you did this.” 

• Improve your relationship with God through prayer, du‘a and the Quran.

• Form new healthy relationships or reconnect with old ones and make them your consistent support system. Be very selective about who you let into your inner circle.

• Work on your self-esteem, which is something the narcissist tries to shatter, and regain your inner strength.

• Work on your appearance. Often, we feel better when we look better.

• Learn from your experience. “No matter how difficult the experience is, there’s always a valuable lesson to learn from it,” said Alyereessy.

• Choose your therapist carefully, as not all of them are informed about this specific kind of trauma, and don’t hesitate to find a new one if he/she cannot help you. 

• Envision yourself a few years down the road achieving all that you have ever wanted in life. Make a du‘a list and start asking God, keeping in mind His majesty and not your weakness.

Areena Ali Memon juggles various roles including homeschooling, blogging, YouTubing, freelance writing, photography and managing an Islamic bookstore while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education from the Islamic Online University.

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By Writers Studio

Mar/Apr 2024

Growing up as a teenager in a Midwestern suburb where 8 out of 10 residents are white, it’s easy to go through your day preoccupied with your next biology quiz, wondering if you’ll make the varsity basketball team, and, most importantly, trying to score Taylor Swift concert tickets. Yet, the Israeli war on Gaza has penetrated even this Middle America, Gen-Z world. 

Our high school doesn’t have any posters about the war, and history teachers scrupulously go out of their way to never mention either Israel or Palestine. I don’t see any protesters urging the boycott of the local outlet of the behemoth coffee chain Starbucks located just a few blocks away. Instead, I hear about the war in the ever-present universe of social media that has become the home where we adolescents spend most of our time and only reluctantly leave when forced to do homework or join our parents for dinner. 

The hashtags #BoycottStarbucks and #BoycottMcDonalds are everywhere, but how many are aware of just how much weight and pain these words hold? How effective are these economic boycotts and movements that galvanize us to stop using products made by certain companies?

What is BDS? 

Formally launched in 2005, BDS — Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions — is a pro-Palestinian movement, an idea that encourages using nonviolent means to promote Palestinian rights. Its goal is to free the people under Zionist occupation. “Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, the BDS call urges action to pressure Israel to comply with international law…Boycotts involve withdrawing support from Israel’s apartheid regime, complicit Israeli sporting, cultural and academic institutions, and from all Israeli and international companies engaged in violations of Palestinian human rights” (bdsmovement.net).

A Call to Action

Jehad Abusalim lives in Washington D.C., but his family, including his brother with special needs, is trapped in Gaza amid raging bombs. Powerless to save them, he seeks the help and compassion of others. Abusalim has created a petition to save his brother. “As the situation escalates and danger looms closer to my family, I find myself in a state of desperation, turning to you, my community, for support,” he writes. 

At press time, NPR reported that “the numbers that capture the state of Gaza after 100 days of war are staggering: Nearly 2 million displaced, thousands of homes destroyed and nearly 24,000 dead — 10,000 of them children.” It’s hard not to want to do something to stop the devastation, especially when seeing pictures and images of fallen, injured, maimed, and starving young children. The war has already lasted for more than 100 days and calls to join economic boycotts of companies that support Israel are rapidly increasing. 

Financial Pressure

These boycotts are intended to put financial pressure on companies by discouraging customer spending on their items. The devastation caused by the 2023 bombardment has jump-started a push for people to stop patronizing companies, such as Starbucks, that are perceived as pro-Israel. Many companies have taken a stance on their support for either side. Some brands show their support openly with monetary and in-kind donations and messages on social media. Others find more indirect ways to pick a side. 

L’Oreal, one of the companies allegedly supporting Israel, owns 36 brands, among them Maybelline New York, Ralph Lauren and Garnier. Estée Lauder, another perceived Israel supporter, owns brands such as Bobbi Brown, Clinique, MAC, and Too Faced, among others. When PepsiCo is listed, it doesn’t just mean people boycott drinking the beverage. This is because the corporation also owns Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, among others. There were calls to boycott the fashion house Zara for their ad campaign that looked eerily like shrouds and casualties in Gaza. The list of companies is not limited to food, fashion or cosmetics alone, for companies such as Disney, Burger King, Siemens, and Hewlett Packard are also being called out. In contrast there are a few large companies like Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Huda Beauty that have openly called for a ceasefire. 

Several protesters find it challenging to comply, due to the wide range of companies being boycotted, but are determined to see it through. Like those around the world who are rallying for peace in Gaza, Elena, a high school student in Illinois, is doing her share. Though she finds it difficult, she uses product substitutions to stay true to her beliefs. “My biggest advice to those finding it hard to boycott is to find substitutions. For example, I used to be a regular at Starbucks, but have given up one of my favorite drinks. Instead of battling to stay caffeine free, I look towards other local coffee shops.” 

Even those who don’t have a connection to Palestine, Israel, or the Muslim community are taking action. Ava, a Christian middle school student in California, says, “I’m trying to do my part because I don’t believe what is currently happening is right. I do not wish to support companies supporting this war.” Like Elena, she also struggles to resist using her favorite products from boycotted companies. “I used to go to Starbucks every morning before school to get a drink that would help wake me up. It’s difficult now to snap out of a habit, but I’ve begun substituting my favorite drinks with other options, such as boba.” 

The Effectiveness of Boycotts

In “Do boycotts against McDonald’s and Starbucks work?” a Northeastern Global News article, Cody Mello-Klein writes, “It more likely has to do something with the brands chosen as the target…When the brands are more easily replaceable, then they’re more vulnerable to a consumer boycott” (Dec. 5, 2023). Target and Bud Light saw sales crash in a 2023 boycott associated with an LGBTQ issue. In the context of Israel, the boycotts seem to be working against Starbucks, according to the Forbes article “Do Boycotts Actually Work? Examining The Use Of Boycotts To Drive Social Change” (Dec. 22, 2023).

Janice Gassam Asare notes that, historically, boycotts have worked. “Boycotts should be one of many tools in our arsenal for social change,” she remarks. Interestingly, she says that “only about 3.5% of the population’s participation is needed to create serious political change. No action is too small, and we must remember that any rock, no matter how small, that is thrown into the pond of liberation will create a ripple effect that contributes to greater societal shifts for years to come.” 

However, boycotts may not always significantly impact revenue. That doesn’t mean that we give up, for they can still harm a corporation’s reputation — especially via negative publicity. The boycotts that work best are the ones that gain the most media attention. 

According to the Newsweek article, “Are McDonald’s, Starbucks Boycotts Working?” Omar Mohammed writes that companies feel that the boycotts are targeting them unfairly (Nov. 17, 2023). McDonald’s believes that a combination of social media and propaganda has made their stand on the conflict inaccurate. The company states that, “McDonald’s Corporation is not funding or supporting any governments involved in this conflict. the company said in a statement sent to AFP.” 

Has Either Company’s Bottom Line Been Damaged? 

While the share price for Starbucks and McDonald’s has not been affected significantly, they continue to face protests and media outrage. On Dec. 18, 2023, Vox.com ran the headline, “Starbucks has lost $11 billion market value, and not because of boycotts.” After all, there is more to boycotts than dollars and cents. 

Like most people around the world advocating for peace in Gaza, Iman, a Canadian student, shares her point of view. “As an average person in Canada, there’s not much I can do to support my brothers and sisters in Palestine who are suffering through a tremendous tragedy. Compared to the scale of sacrifice they are enduring, giving up my favorite drink from Starbucks or my favorite Disney channels is a small sacrifice. Since it’s practically the only way I can help, I’ll do it with no complaints.” 

Thirty-eight States Have Passed Anti-BDS Legislation

Boycotting can prove challenging in the U.S. Even prior to this latest war on Gaza, lawmakers have made countless attempts to suppress First Amendment rights by making it illegal to boycott Israel. Illinois was the first. Other examples include Missouri and Kansas, which “don’t allow companies with state contracts to boycott or divest from Israel.” In 2017, businesses in Dickinson, Texas, were denied Hurricane Harvey recovery funds if they were BDS supporters.

It might still be too early to accurately quantify how well boycotts against brands that support Israel are working. South Africa won its freedom from apartheid thanks to 35 years of boycotts. There is no conclusive evidence that boycotts will halt Israel’s war on Gaza. But for millions, boycotting is worth a shot. It’s a small sacrifice that they are proud to make. 

This article was written by college-bound students enrolled in WritersStudio.us workshops that focus on nurturing confidence and skills related to critical thinking, comprehension, analysis and writing.

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By Shabnam Mahmood

Mar/Apr 2024

Muslim parents often face the dilemma of whether they should send their children to Islamic or secular schools. For some, it’s a simple decision, while for others many factors come into play. Islamic schools have recently seen an upsurge in enrollment. Islamic Horizons set out to see if this could be due to the recent changes in the public education curriculum regarding LGBTQ+ issues. 

Shaza Khan (executive director, Islamic Schools League of America [ISLA]) agrees there has been an increase in registrations for Islamic schools. ISLA is a board member of the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), which represents private schools nationwide. CAPE has noted a rise in all private schools’ enrollment across the spectrum, but has not necessarily linked it to state curriculum changes.

Wanis Shalaby (principal, Salam School) believes there has always been a gradual increase in enrollment in Islamic schools despite recent changes to the public education curriculum. 

“All administrators of well-developed Islamic schools seem to have witnessed higher enrollments at their schools over the past few years,” Shalaby said. “I believe there are multiple reasons for the current spike, among which are the challenges Muslim children face in the public school system, such as Islamic identity, gender identity, bullying, harassment and Islamophobia. These reasons have urged parents to seek a haven for their children in Islamic schools.”

Talk with Your Kids

Many parents consider Islamic schools to be a safer alternative. That convinces parents that some option is better than none, even when Islamic schools may lack resources in sports or extracurriculars. 

For example, the small Islamic school in Merium Abdullah’s area of Los Angeles is still trying to find its footing after the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to involved parents, the school has reopened and is growing slowly. Abdullah has two children in public schools and one in an Islamic school. She augments their education with Sunday School classes. Although she finds her Islamic school lacking in secular studies, administrative issues and other areas, she still recommends them over public schools. That said, she advocates instilling religious values early in children, especially those attending public schools.

“Parents should talk to their kids about lots of issues,” remarked Abdullah. “Kids should come to you before anyone else and be guided on how to navigate these discussions.”

Teaching her four children how to navigate the world is also a concern for Sabrina Chishti. “Raising kids in today’s society is already a challenging task. As a Muslim, there are added fears and responsibilities for parents to correctly guide our kids so they can navigate themselves in this constantly changing world,” she stated. 

Initially, Chishti believed public schools offered better options due to their state-of-the-art facilities and licensed staff. Eventually, she noticed her children beginning to use foul language and talking back. 

“The mental stress of navigating rights and wrongs in a non-Muslim school environment is tremendous for such young children. On top of all that, LGBTQ+ is now included in our district curriculum, and that’s a whole topic that we don’t want our kids exposed to in elementary school,” she noted. “After weighing the pros and cons of public school, we decided that Islamic school is the way to go … to preserve their innocence and give them a fair opportunity to make good decisions without societal pressures.” 

Within a year, Chishti saw her children become more respectful, priding themselves on how many surahs they had learned and how fluent they had become in their Quranic recitations. Al Huda Academy in Hanover Park, Ill., has a mission of “Adaab (etiquette) before Academics. It took me some time to truly understand this philosophy,” said Chishti. “But now that I see its impact, I have embraced its value.”

Administrators Weigh In

How are Islamic schools preparing for this curricular change in direction from public schools? “Communication is critical. We must understand what kids are going through,” declared Habeeb Quadri (superintendent, MCC Academy). “We need to educate students to learn their rights and responsibilities on how to navigate social issues. We advocate by trying to provide resources for students, such as halal food options and prayer in public spaces, and help students advocate for themselves. We also reevaluate what’s happening in society and how to handle it respectfully.”

Khan noted that Islamic school capacities aren’t increasing in proportion to the demand for Islamic education. Also, many Islamic schools are adopting public school curricula that contain material that doesn’t necessarily align with Islamic beliefs and views. She is advocating for a holistic curriculum renewal. 

“While Islamic schools may be facing a ‘good’ problem by having waiting lists, I would love for families to come to our Islamic schools because of what we’re doing well, not because of what they’re trying to get away from,” Khan stressed. 

Has the current societal pressure due to the change in public curricula put Islamic schools on alert? Quadri believes that Islamic schools have constantly been evolving. “We have always tried to tackle these topics with our students, for example, evolution, the existence of God, women in Islam, substance abuse and current issues.” 

Shalaby, whose Salam School has earned a 5-star school of excellence on the State of Wisconsin Report Card for the past three years, adds that schools trying to teach their students in a manner that uses dialog, critical thinking and fostering a culture of Islamic pride have developed a well-balanced, fully interactive Muslim-American generation. 

Shalaby explains that while he may not be able to speak for other Islamic schools in terms of gender identity Salam School’s students aren’t being raised in a bubble. “This topic is completely avoided in lower elementary and is addressed in an age-appropriate manner in upper elementary through high school. To this effect, the topic is addressed on multiple fora,” he added.

For instance, his school has a strong character education program, part of which addresses current events/topics during the morning assembly. LGBTQ+ is one of the topics addressed. In addition, this topic is also frequently addressed during the Islamic studies classes. Furthermore, the senior class must complete a mandatory semester seminar on contemporary issues in Islam, where LGBTQ+ is discussed and analyzed to its fullest extent, so that our graduating students can stand their ground when they are confronted on college campuses with this and other topics.

“Parents should not wake up at the 11th hour,” Shalaby said. “It is too late by then. Your work with your children starts before they are born, so work on yourselves first. Further, unless your home environment complements the school’s culture, work toward achieving a shared vision with the school.”

He advised Muslim students to “Be proud of who you are. You do not need to blend in by compromising who you are. The strength of our nation is the result of its diversity. You have a lot to offer. It is your duty to your religion and nation to be the best Muslims you can become.”   

Shabnam Mahmood is a Chicago-based author, freelance writer and educational consultant.

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By Shabnam Mahmood

Mar/Apr 2024

Are parents familiar with what’s being taught in their child’s school? Historically, the public education system has evolved to mirror societal changes. Currently, the issue of LGTBQ+ curriculum in public schools is at the forefront. Several states have adopted bills allowing this material to be introduced as early as elementary school. 

This overt use of state authority to push a specific agenda has been a point of contention for many Muslims and other faith-based and conservative communities. A Dearborn, Mich., school board meeting was shut down during October 2023 by protestors’ objection to including LGBTQ+ books in classrooms. Another case garnering national attention is Mahmoud v. McKnight. Three multi-faith families of elementary-aged children in Maryland objected not only to the use of story books featuring LGBTQ+ characters in the Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) system, but also the school district’s reversal of the previous opt-out option. The lawsuit claimed that “the no-opt-out policy violates their and their children’s free exercise and free speech rights under the First Amendment, the parent’s substantive due process rights under the Fourteenth Amendment, and Maryland law.” 

Option to Opt-Out

Initially, MCPS notified the parents of the LGTBQ+ books and their right to opt-out. “MCPS school board also enacted religious diversity guidelines that suggested schools adjust their instruction or accommodate requests from students who wish to be excused from classroom discussions, which would ‘impose a substantial burden on their religious beliefs.’ The same guidelines also stated, ‘If such requests become too frequent or too burdensome, the school may refuse to accommodate the requests.’” (DeNotaris, 2023). MCPS declared last March that it would no longer allow parents to opt-out of the LGTBQ+ curriculum. 

Parents from faith-based and secular backgrounds united to raise their concerns to the MCPS school board and board of education. Wael Elkoshairi, an MCPS parent, founded the parent-action group Family Rights for Religious Freedom (FRRF) in April 2023, which galvanized parents to voice their concerns and filed for an emergency injunction to restore the opt-out option. 

The court ruled in favor of MCPS, citing that the parent’s right to opt out of the LGTBQ+ curriculum, which conflicts with their religious views, is not a fundamental right. However, parents remain encouraged and have submitted a motion for a mandatory injunction. 

Similar struggles are being fought nationwide. Elkhoshairi says Muslims from across the country are contacting FRRF. So, what’s at the heart of these arguments? 

“It appears to be the question of who has more rights over a child’s education, the government or parents?” said Tom Facchine (resident imam, Utica Masjid; research director, Islam and Society, the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research) in an interview with Islamic Horizons. 

To complicate the issue, LGBTQ+ advocates are also drawing parallels between themselves as a minority group and those that are race-based, arguing that they should have similar rights of representation within the education curriculum.

 “LGTBQ+ advocates have capitalized on other minority groups. The initial bill [Nevada Assembly Bill 2621] includes Black, Native, Indigenous people and people with disabilities. It’s a radical position based on ideology,” Facchine added. By associating themselves with such minority groups, the community also tries to portray itself as a minority group worthy of recognition and representation rights.

“The LGTBQ+ agenda has gained momentum through grassroots efforts, campaigns and advocacy,” said Mohammad Ahmadullah Siddiqi (professor emeritus, Journalism and Public Relations, Western Illinois University). He explains that the LGTBQ+ community stood with Muslims during the Trump presidency, when Muslims were being targeted, in hopes of Muslims reciprocating that support. Christians who hope to unify efforts against this agenda also sought Muslim support.

Kareem Monib is co-founder of Coalition of Virtue, a parents’ group that advocates for parental rights in the public school system and joined the MCPS parent rally against the board of education. 

“This is an act, not an identity. It’s not the role of the state to impose values,” he said, contending that LGBTQ+ should not be conflated with race-based designations. LGBTQ+ advocates argue that homosexuality and transgenderism are based on biology.

Monib and Sameera Munshi recently discussed gender ideologies in a Yaqeen Institute video, “The Coalition Fighting Gender Ideology in Schools | Dogma Disrupted,” with imam Facchine.

Perplexed Parents

“I didn’t even know!” says Amal [not her real name]. By the time the mother of four became aware of what was happening in her children’s school, the curriculum had already been implemented (spring 2021) and had influenced them. 

“The club was introduced as a student initiative. Kids didn’t need parental permission to join,” she stated. “When parents objected, the school said it’s a student club and there was no need for parental consent. The child that didn’t know the definition of all the letters in the LGBTQ+ acronym was considered ignorant. If they didn’t comply with the club, they were labeled a bully and brought to the principal’s office.”

The club also provided support groups for those with inclusion issues or parents’ rejecting their identity. Teachers were instructed to refrain from informing parents about the child’s choice of changing his/her gender. The student could be called by a name complying with the gender he/she had secretly chosen. 

Amal’s older daughters, now 20, 18 and 16, have increasingly become more empathetic to the LGBTQ+ community. Despite having gone to an Islamic school, the girls challenged their mother, even accusing her of hate speech. 

“This is a haram lifestyle,” Amal argued with her daughters. They counterargued that the LGBTQ+ community was targeted and needed supporters. The youngest daughter changed her looks by switching to gender-neutral clothing and cutting her hair to look like a boy. Amal remained steadfast and continued to discuss the matter. The older daughters were more reluctant to change their views. The youngest eventually returned to her previous clothing and hairstyle. Amal has still not given up on trying to have constructive dialogue with her older daughters. 

Confident Kids

However, not all Muslim kids feel conflicted. Thirteen-year-old Zayyan Sayyed of Algonquin, Ill., is among a handful of Muslims at his school. He has not joined his school’s LGTBQ+ club. Students sometimes need to identify their pronouns, but other than that he has not come across any LGTBQ+ curriculum. 

Sayyed noticed the school’s emphasis on the LGTBQ+ community toward the end of seventh grade. It’s a topic that doesn’t readily come up when talking with his friends though. He says even some of his Christian friends are opposed to this lifestyle. “I know we believe a man is supposed to love a woman and a woman is supposed to love a man. You can’t change that,” said the eighth grader. “Going to Sunday school has helped. The closer you are to religion, the less likely you’ll be led astray. Religion is like a protective shield,” he added. 

Pronouns are commonplace at Niles West High School, when students introduce themselves to newer teachers. Sarah Khan, a junior, thinks nothing of it. “It’s just that one extra step you have to do.” Khan has friends who identify as LGTBQ+ but haven’t come out yet. That’s the basis for their conversation — the safety of who to trust. Although Khan doesn’t agree with the lifestyle, she doesn’t think about it very much. “If curriculums are pushing the agenda, that’s wrong.” Otherwise, she listens to her mother’s advice and stays clear of other people’s business, adhering to “For you is your religion, and for me is my religion” (109:6).

What Can Parents Do

This scenario is common among some, but not all, Muslim parents. “It’s a matter of having a belief system and family values,” says Aslam Abdullah (resident Islamic scholar, Islamicity.org). He argues that talking openly with children builds the first line of defense. Once a week, he meets with his family and grandchildren for such discussions on any topic, including LGBTQ+. “Children need a clear understanding of their value system. Parents need to focus on their children. If children see a difference between their parent’s words and actions, they will lose interest.” 

There’s a lot of competition for that fleeting moment of a child’s attention. Nowadays, the number of books, films and television shows without gender identity references is shrinking. “There is a disproportionate number of resources,” says Sarah Sultan (licensed counselor and research fellow, Yaqeen Institute). 

The 3 Cs

Sultan advises parents to be proactive when confronted with these influences by having straightforward, age-appropriate discussions with their children, preferably before they start school. Middle- and high-school-aged children would benefit from Yaqeen Institute’s curriculum, which addresses this specific issue with the three Cs: Conviction (Solid belief in Allah), Clarify (What does Allah say about this topic?) and Compassion (Teaching our children kindness even if we disagree). 

Muslim students often find themselves on the outskirts. Parents should validate their children along with setting boundaries, for aligning with people affects one’s values. Muslim students in Islamic schools are not exempt, because all teens face the same challenges in this hypersexualized society. Sultan suggests providing children with alternative circles, such as masjid activities and vetted peer groups. 

For those who argue about being merciful and empathetic to this community, Imam Facchine explains that moral discussion is not hate speech. Muslims shouldn’t abandon their beliefs and value system to show empathy. Hate, on the other hand, means to abandon someone to their destruction. However, because you want good for someone, you dare to raise your voice to help them. This is compassion, not hate. 

He further explains that we aren’t our desires. We are one thing; our desires are another. Our objective is to tame these desires so we don’t fall prey to them. As for mercy, Imam Facchine asks, “Are you more merciful than Allah? Only Allah gets to define mercy. We are justifiable to define mercy, but Allah is not.” No matter how we may perceive our notion of mercy, it cannot compare to that of Allah’s. 

Awareness, activism and open communication are a Muslim parent’s strengths in this fight. Become aware of the school situation and participate in the decisions being made. Empathize with the conflicted thoughts your children may have. If adults are uncomfortable with this topic, imagine how children might feel. 

Shabnam Mahmood is a Chicago-based author, freelance writer and educational consultant.

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By Hamza Mohammed

Mar/Apr 2024

As this issue was going to press, 24,927 Palestinians were killed (more than 10,000 being children), over 62,388 wounded, and more than 1.9 million displaced.

Those looking to help victims suffering through this compounding humanitarian crisis often wonder which relief organizations are on the ground in Gaza. Due to blockades and restrictive border controls, many agencies don’t have an actual physical presence there. Some organizations provide support at the Rafah (Egypt) border. There are, however, a few organizations that do have an on-the-ground presence and, as a result, can distribute supplies to those who need them the most.

We look at a few such organizations.

Helping Hand for Relief and Development 

In Palestine, Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) provides rehabilitation and physical therapy services for children with disabilities. These initiatives have helped more than 28,000 beneficiaries of emergency relief, assistance for more than 6,000 orphans and educational support for around 500 people. 

“The best way to help is donating online and bringing brand new winter jackets and blankets to our local offices,” said Rafid Ahmad, who works in the Dallas branch. “We also accept zakat donations that are spent in accordance with Islamic guidelines.”

HHRD, founded by the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) in the early 2000s to provide emergency aid to countries around the world, is one of the relief organizations working with the UN to provide support and deliver supplies to those in need. They collect items like food, water, clothes, medicine, blankets and shoes from those organizations that cannot enter Palestine and bring them to Rafah. They then give these items to the UN, which distribute them in affected areas. The UN shares a report with HHRD and other organizations after the distribution is complete to let them know where the aid was sent. 

Headquartered in Southfield, Mich., HHRD is an accredited 4-star charity with more than 15 years of service and 14 ongoing programs in 128 countries. It has 19 regional offices across the U.S.

Islamic Relief

Since being founded in 1993, Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) has been able to assist over 50 million people across the world. This Virginia-based charitable organization has been working in

Palestine for over 20 years and has responded to many events and crises in the area working

with local partners on the ground to provide emergency aid. Currently, IRUSA has been

redirecting funds from other ongoing projects toward emergency aid in Palestine. Through their

efforts, they have been able to distribute medical aid and support to hospitals, and hygiene kits

to people sheltering in places like schools.

As with many other organizations providing support and aid in the region, ongoing blockades

and restrictions have made it increasingly difficult to get aid into affected areas. As a result,

IRUSA is currently using stored supplies in warehouses to provide aid. “The need is great and

getting sufficient supplies quickly has remained difficult for all humanitarian organizations,”

stated Minhaj Hassan, senior communication & media specialist for Islamic Relief USA.

Since October 7, 2023, IRUSA has been able to provide over 2.2 million items to provide medical aid, over 1 million ready-to-eat meals, and has distributed hygiene supplies and kits to over 200 shelters. In total, they have been able to provide aid to a total of over 50,000 children and 200,000 households. They need more supplies and funds to continue to be able to keep up with the rising need for aid.

The Humaniti Foundation

Founded in Markham, Canada, by entrepreneur Shoaib Khan, Humaniti Foundation is now also a registered U.S. charity based in Frisco, Texas. The foundation works with organizations in Palestine and has many long-standing partnerships with registered nonprofits in the region. Staff members work with their partners to deliver emergency aid, despite the dire conditions.

Humaniti has mobilized multiple emergency campaigns focused on providing hot meals, clean water and medical support to Palestinians. Currently, it has been able to deliver food, water, clothes, blankets and fuel, as well as obtain four pallets of medicine and medical supplies, which were to be distributed by their medical partners in Gaza.

“Each passing day restricts aid entering Gaza. Our partners are struggling to provide support, given the dire conditions,” said Humaniti’s Shabnam M. “Thankfully we have been able to provide food parcels and Ready-to-Eat (RTE) meals, hygiene kits, soup, detergent, fresh flour to make bread, mattresses, pillows, children’s winter clothes and water tanks.”

In the coming months, Humaniti will focus on providing medical aid and services in the affected areas. They will be delivering medication, supplies and equipment, as well as supporting the many orthopedic surgeries that need to take place to treat the countless injuries, including amputations and broken bones. They also plan to deploy temporary shelters near the Rafah border to support those trapped in southern Palestine with no shelter.

“The best way to help Humaniti continue to provide relief is to donate on our website,” Shabnam said. “Supplies are available in Egypt and across the region; however, we need to maintain adequate financial resources to ensure our partners can procure the supplies and be ready to transport and distribute within Gaza as needed.”

Human Concern International

Human Concern International (HCI), one of the oldest Canadian Muslim relief charities, has raised over $22 million for Palestine relief. They have been distributing aid in Gaza since Oct. 10, 2023, just three days after the war started. Despite the borders being closed, HCI, which has warehouses inside Gaza, was able to distribute the stored supplies.

In mid-December last year, this stored aid ran out. To continue this important work, Hassan Wadi, director of fundraising, and volunteer Syed Rahman flew to Egypt and filled three trucks — two with food and one with medical supplies — totaling about $3 million in value. Thanks to HCI’s connections, they were able to get the trucks to their warehouses in Palestine.

“The biggest challenge has been getting the aid in,” said Rahman. “There are many restrictions when bringing in supplies. Trucks must be clearly categorized, and types of aid cannot be mixed. If any rules are not followed, there is a risk of being turned around and denied entry.”

Even after there is a ceasefire, a tremendous amount of work will need to be done to rebuild Gaza. While Muslims across the world are praying and protesting, there needs to be a steady stream of donations as well. Gazans have already lost more than one can imagine.

Heroic Hearts 

Heroic Hearts, a Chicago-based charity, has had teams in Gaza for several years, most of which include native Gazan residents. Embedded in the region since the beginning of the recent conflict, they have been traveling from the north to the south of Gaza, providing aid.

The organization has developed multiple relief programs, among them delivering food parcels containing mostly non-perishable foods, winter clothing and supplies, along with hygiene items, to the displaced. Heroic Hearts also has clean water tanks to deliver fresh water to people sheltering at sites in Gaza. Their established soup kitchens in Deir al-Balah and Rafah provide hot meals to thousands. 

Heroic Hearts faces many challenges. Making deliveries can be very risky, and their ground teams have to be very careful, ready to move and take shelter at a moment’s notice. 

“The number of people in need of aid is also very sad and difficult to navigate. It seems as though we are climbing a mountain that never stops growing,” said Sara Hassan (vice president, Heroic Hearts). “The cost of supplies has also skyrocketed, so it has been a challenge to continue to collect funds to sustain ongoing projects.”

Heroic Hearts currently has multiple trucks of supplies in Egypt awaiting clearance to enter. They are working on collecting hygiene kits and opening soup kitchens in Gaza. They also are looking for individuals to partner with to create more dynamic fundraising events, such as organizing sporting events, to help support their efforts. 

Siraj Muhammed, who founded the organization in 2016, has 10+ years of experience in international relief. Now serving as its president, he is implementing its vision and overseas operations. 

Donate online at:

hchearts.org/palestine-emergency-relief

hhrd.org/Palestine 

wearehumaniti.org/causes/gaza-relief/

humanconcern.org/palestine-relief

Hamza Mohammed, a Farragut High School in Tennessee, is an avid reader and enjoys writing in his free time.

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