Al-Talib provides an independent perspective on issues important to Muslim communities. Targeting a college-age audience at UCLA, we seek to create an outlet for activism on and off campus, a platform for representation of all facets of the Muslim-American communities and a safe space for sensitive topics. We believe that this sort of dialogue, no matter how uncomfortable it may be at times, is necessary in order for our community to appreciate and celebrate its diversity.
It is a shared experience among Muslim Americans that many of us were unable to identify with Muslim characters on film and television programs we watched while growing up. This is not merely an accident or coincidence. Muslim characters have been portrayed as one-dimensional, backwards, and violent ever since the creation of the American and…
Outside of Kerckhoff Hall and near the engineering building, you will see Muslims prostrating at various times of the day. They pray in groups or individually on thick concrete, the sun beating down on them at certain times of the day. The only object between a prostrating Muslim and the concrete is a thin prayer…
Assalamualaikum everyone (may the peace and blessings of God be upon you), Welcome to the Spring 2019 Al-Talib Newsmagazine Print Issue. My name is Nadiyah and I had the honor to serve as this year’s Editor-in-Chief. I want to emphasize serve because it goes back to the root of our organization which is to serve…
On Jan 3, 2018 the history of the U.S Congress changed forever as the swearing in ceremonies for the 116th House of Representatives commenced. In the sea of representatives that has more female representatives than ever, two women stood out to me as trailblazers for Muslims and women in politics. With backgrounds similar to many…
“We die once, but we revive a thousand times” Turkish Proverb Photo by Ibrahim Kalın (Turkish President’s Spokesman and Chief Advisor(1)) Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi Arabian Washington Post journalist, disappeared after he entered the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018. After several days filled with conspiracy theories, on the 23th of October,…
I remember walking inside the empty Pauley Pavilion for the first time. Visualizing the arena’s aesthetics, the baby blue Pac 12 logo inside the three-point line on either side, the famous UCLA logo on center court and all the retired jerseys that hanged above the arena’s seating. There was one jersey that stood out to…
As the end of the quarter creeps closer and closer, the pressure to do well and finish the quarter strong increases. We all may have different motives that encourage us to do the best we possibly can on our upcoming exams, but a common one within our community is the pressure from our beloved parents.…
Outside of Kerckhoff Hall and near the engineering building, you will see Muslims prostrating at various times of the day. They pray in groups or individually on thick concrete, the sun beating down on them at certain times of the day. The only object between a prostrating Muslim and the concrete is a thin prayer…
During the season of finals, curves and grade deflation become a hot topic. A curve is a type of grading system that professors use in order to make the grade distribution follow a bell curve. A curve has the potential to lower a student’s grade depending on their performance relative to their classmates. For instance,…
Welcome home.
Khawlah bint al-Azwar, fluttering cloth and clinking metal, deep in the heat of the desert; Squares her shoulders, draws a breath. Sends a word heavenwards, Eyes steely behind their shade. No fear must slake her resolve today. The hilt of the blade warms in her grip, the blood thrums under her skin- The spirit is…
I remember walking inside the empty Pauley Pavilion for the first time. Visualizing the arena’s aesthetics, the baby blue Pac 12 logo inside the three-point line on either side, the famous UCLA logo on center court and all the retired jerseys that hanged above the arena’s seating. There was one jersey that stood out to…
SPOILER: it's probably not you
Sally: Hey Zaynab, want to go grab lunch with me after class today? Zaynub: Sorry, I can’t today. It is the first day of Ramadan. Sally: So this may sound stupid, but can I ask you something? Zaynub: Sure. Sally: Do you fast all day long? Zaynub: No. I fast from sunrise to sundown. Sally:…
“Moooom,” you say with an annoyance in your voice. You run up the stairs and close the bedroom door on your mother’s efforts to reason with you and go about the day. We’ve all seen or done this at some point in our lives. Cinema and television shows that depict the struggles of teen life…
Outside of Kerckhoff Hall and near the engineering building, you will see Muslims prostrating at various times of the day. They pray in groups or individually on thick concrete, the sun beating down on them at certain times of the day. The only object between a prostrating Muslim and the concrete is a thin prayer…
