Understanding Islam

My Condolences to the Victims and Families of the Orlando Shooting and a Brief Discussion of LGBT Attitudes in Islam

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As a person with a strong belief in the rights and freedoms of LGBT individuals, I was extremely saddened to hear of the shootings in Orlando. The fact that individuals paid the ultimate price to freely love who they want to love, and to live the way they were meant to live is deplorable. My… Continue reading My Condolences to the Victims and Families of the Orlando Shooting and a Brief Discussion of LGBT Attitudes in Islam

Christian Comparisons · Understanding Islam

The Origins of Islam and the Christian Bible

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It is well known that many of the stories of the Bible are found in the Qur’an, but did you know that some Muslims believe that the religious shrine in Mecca called the Ka’aba, which Muslims are required to visit in their lifetime, can be found in the Bible? One of my favorite versions of… Continue reading The Origins of Islam and the Christian Bible

Understanding Islam

The Prophet Muhammad

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I have some mixed feelings about the documentary but overall I feel that this is a decent telling of the life of the Prophet Muhammad, though nothing compares to the excellent commentary of Martin Lings’ Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources (See Recommended Reading). There are a few facts I could dispute in this documentary but for the individual who knows little or nothing of the life of the Prophet of Islam, this History Channel documentary is an good first step!

Understanding Islam

The Meaning of Īmān (الإيمان): Faith

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The word Īmān comes from the Arabic root ‘أ-م-ن’ and has approximately seventeen derived forms that are used in the Qur’ān. the form one verb, أَمِنَ, meaning “to entrust” and “to feel secure” is used in approximately sixteen āyāt of the Qur’ān; the form four verb, ءَامَنَ, meaning “to believe” is used in approximately four… Continue reading The Meaning of Īmān (الإيمان): Faith

The Middle East · Understanding Islam

Wahhabism: What it is and how it differs from Mainstream Islam

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One of the big mistakes made by individuals who do not understand Islam is that there is no solid definition which defines a “Muslim Country.” As expressed by Reza Aslan in my first post on this page, each country in the Middle East and parts of Asia practice various form of Shari’ah which are based… Continue reading Wahhabism: What it is and how it differs from Mainstream Islam

The Middle East

Who if fighting whom in Syria?

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I am constantly asked what is actually going on in Syria, and which countries are allied with specific sides. One of my favorite videos to give a quick overview of what is going on is Syria was created by BBC News. I will say that I do not feel the video provides a complete insight on the conflict, and that the stance of Kurdish forces is not as simple as the video portrays. Regardless, the video provides an accurate depiction of the complexity of the conflict currently happening in the Middle East.

The Middle East

Saudi Arabia elects its first female politicians!

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“At least 18 women have won seats in Saudi Arabia’s municipal polls, the country’s first-ever elections open to female voters and candidates.”- Al Jazeera I am thrilled to see that Saudi Arabia has elected its first round of female council members to various municipal courts in Saudi Arabia. What makes this even more interesting is… Continue reading Saudi Arabia elects its first female politicians!

The Middle East

Test your knowledge of Women’s Rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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How much do you know about life as a woman in Saudi Arabia?

Here is a great quiz created by the BBC to test your knowledge of Women’s Rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established in 1931 by the Ibn Saud family and is one of the United States’ best allies in the Middle East.  The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia practices a form of Islam known as Wahhabism… but I will write more on that later.

Christian Comparisons · Quotes from the Qur'an · Understanding Islam

December 8th: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception- and Islam!

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The Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates the absolute belief in the Immaculate conception of the Virgin Mary. It is celebrated 9 months before the Feast of the Nativity on September 8th, and is one of the most important Marian feasts celebrated in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church celebrated worldwide! In honor of… Continue reading December 8th: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception- and Islam!