In 1953, Iran’s democratically-elected government led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh had been overthrown yet again to restore power to Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran. The final months of Mosaddegh’s government were nothing short of chaotic. Economic tensions flared as the British embargo tanked public approval and sparked political violence among dissenting…
USC just set an alarming precedent in academia. On April 15, 2024, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew Guzman announced that their class valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, will not be delivering a speech at this year’s upcoming commencement. The administration cites safety concerns stemming from ongoing political tensions amid months of atrocities and…
“This is not hijab.” In a TikTok with nearly 10 million views, an anonymous user posted a series of photos of women wearing different hijab styles and outfits, labeling each photo with “This is not hijab” or “This is hijab.” The comment section is filled with either support for calling out the supposed “improper” hijab…
“The way she held hope that her son would be released from prison was by checking the leaves of her orange tree everyday. She would ask my aunt, ‘have the leaves turned green yet? My son is coming home once they do.” Above is an excerpt from an interview I conducted with a Palestinian-American student…
In the wake of violent settler colonialism in Palestine, international support has become evermore essential in protecting Palestinian families from further encroachment upon basic human rights. However, with polarized politics and religious zeal involved, a considerable number of people — even progressively-minded individuals — have attempted to make unifying remarks to acknowledge the atrocities while…
During a raging pandemic, which has affected millions around the world, what actions should a responsive, sympathetic government take to mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19? Mandate mask-wearing and social distancing policies? Certainly. Provide a semblance of universal basic income for fired or furloughed workers? Now we’re getting somewhere. Ostracize an entire religious community unrelated…
“Seeing is believing.” As the trial of Derek Chauvin proceeds, the prosecution and defense — despite their fundamental differences — both outlined strategies that are inherently premised on this theme. By the end of opening statements, prosecutor Jerry Blackwell coaxed jurors to “believe your eyes, that it’s homicide — it’s murder,” whereas Chauvin’s attorney Eric…
When you think of a mystery novel, who are the first authors that come to mind? For starters, there’s Agatha Christie, the world’s best-selling author with her infamous “Whodunit” mystery The Mousetrap. In fact, Christie’s 66 detective novels were such successes that only Shakespeare and the Bible are in greater circulation. Not to be outdone,…
On January 20, 2021, newly inaugurated President Joe Biden took decisive action for the Islamic community. In a landmark executive order, Biden reversed former president Donald Trump’s infamous “Muslim ban,” which inhibited entry from several Muslim-majority countries. Over time, the Trump administration modified the ban to encompass several African nations, including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Eritrea.…
Jane Austen. Robert Louis Stevenson. Jack London. Charles Dickens. In the grand scheme of literature, countless novels considered “classics” by modern standards are typically of European, American, or both heritages. While not inherently bad per se, this development has consequently shrouded the beauty and diversity that has become pervasive in international literature. Indeed, Muslims are…