الحمد لله Alhamdullilah: I heard it as they gazed upon the sea of martyrs draped in white shrouds around them. Alhmadullilah: I heard it through tears amidst never-ending rubble and cries. Alhamdullilah: I heard it as they gathered scraps of food from the near-empty markets, or managed to fill their jugs with water. Alhamdulillah, “Praise…
Throughout the Quran, Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) refers to His words as a guidance and mercy for all people. This divine message is described as Tanzil (تنزيل), “sent down,” a term that may appear simple yet holds profound meaning. The Quran was composed in the heavens and is revealed to humankind in spoken form. It…
For months, protests have taken place around the country in response to the Israeli genocide in Gaza and our government’s role in the conflict.[1] Despite these protests, the US government has stayed firm in its support of Israel and has provided at least $17.9 billion in military aid to Israel in the year following Oct.…
As the calamitous storm passes and the tyrannical thunder recedes, – As the merciful rain dispels the wildfire and a gentle breeze clears the ashes of destruction, – As the benevolent sun’s rays shine strong and the morning birds chirp once more, – Among the green blades of grass, embedded in the rich black soil,…
October 5th It started two days before October 7th, to be completely honest. I’d like to say I was completely attuned to the passing of time, that I had been anticipating the day for weeks before it came. But in truth, the weight of the upcoming day only hit me at— of all things— an…
Bismillah In the depths of her mind, across the valleys and over the mountain tops, a storm rages on. The water trickles through her hands, into and out of her mouth. Washing away the debris and sediments. Washing away the whirlwind of emotions and thoughts. Washing away the tethers of the dunya. The water flows…
On Monday, October 21st, at 8:22 PM, UCLA Police Department arrived at Dickenson Court in order to tear down a sukkah, which is a tent hosted to celebrate the weeklong Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot. UCLA Jewish Voice for Peace and the Graduate Students for Justice in Palestine erected this tent to peacefully protest for…
On Oct. 16, 2024, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, 61, was shot and killed by Israeli soldiers in the city of Rafah, located in southern Gaza. The State of Israel previously designated Sinwar as the “mastermind” behind the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, making him a high-priority military target. Footage released by the Israel Defense Forces…
On May 1st, 2024, the UCLA Palestine Solidarity Encampment–consisting of nonviolent protests with participants from across numerous racial and religious backgrounds–was attacked. Masked outsiders set off fireworks, toxic sprays, and attacked students with weapons. Less than 48 hours later, UCLA leadership dismantled the encampment and over 200 students and staff members were arrested. In response…
When I interviewed Paul Wolff, a Holocaust survivor who has dedicated his life to spreading a message of peace and empathy, I felt the profound weight of the history he carries and the lessons he has to offer. Born in 1929 in Hamburg, Germany, Paul grew up in a world that quickly spiraled into darkness…