By Laura El Alam For converts in the United States, one of the most challenging aspects of embracing Islam is that people sometimes accuse us of being “less American” when we adopt an Islamic lifestyle. Over the past 23 years since I converted, I have heard comments like, “You [...]
Are you a counselor with a Muslim client? There is a growing concern among Muslims that mental health professionals either do not respect their religious beliefs or simply are not aware of basic Islamic values, and thus offer a therapy that is incongruent with their belief system. This article proposes [...]
By Ayesha Siddiqui For a long time, youth sports have been considered a healthy way for kids to get outside, have an active lifestyle and limit the amount of time they spend in front of a screen. However, sports are much more than that. The benefits for youth who [...]
Laura El Alam These days most employers strive to make their workplace as inclusive and welcoming as possible. Being culturally sensitive and accommodating for employees is the ethical thing to do, but it is also necessary since religious expressions are protected by the Bill of Rights and federal [...]
Muslims from all different backgrounds and fields find themselves united on one very essential matter—their love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He was a man concerned for our wellbeing in this life and the next more than we are concerned for ourselves. He dedicated his life [...]
Nailah Dean There are some widely celebrated holidays in America that Muslims avoid due to their religious connotations, such as Christmas and Easter. Others, such as Thanksgiving or the fourth of July, are more cultural in nature, and thus, some Muslims choose to partake in these festivities. Then, [...]
Laura El Alam Like many white people in the United States, I spent much of my life surrounded by people who looked and acted a lot like me. I grew up in the suburbs and attended Catholic schools for twelve years, and the majority of my family members, [...]
Laura El Alam “You speak English so well!” gushed the soccer mom sitting next to me. For several consecutive weekends, Linda and I had been sitting side by side and chatting as we watched our daughters’ games. I had come to think of her as a friend. We [...]
Wendy Díaz When I was 17 years old and a senior in high school, my father and I were escorted out of a Christian church because of the color of our skin. It was one of the most humiliating and hurtful situations I have ever experienced. However, it [...]
