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…
In shadows deep, where sorrow tends to dwell, Her heart found refuge in a sacred peace. Through whispered prayers and softly spoken verses, Islam’s gentle balm to her spirit clung. In moments still, the call to prayer would rise, A soothing echo ‘neath the star-lit skies. Its melody, a healing, tender grace, Restoring peace within a weary…
“It’s difficult to feel represented when the choices seem to overlook our communities, but our voices still need to be heard.” With the 2024 presidential election just around the corner, many Muslim students find themselves grappling with complex emotions and difficult choices. For some, the election presents a moral dilemma, while for others, it’s a…