Underneath The Rubble

Underneath The Rubble by Umiemah Farrukh Underneath the rubble he cried out for his mother  Somewhere between this world and the hereafter Is where he’d find her next  Underneath the rubble a key, a dress, a wedding picture buried deep in the sand.  How was her life this easily swept away  when the earth decided…

The Price of Fast Fashion

Fashion can be very overwhelming, especially in an age of overconsumption and constantly changing trends. The fast fashion industry thrives off unhealthy shopping habits, and because many of us cannot or do not want to spend too much on clothes, price usually comes before anything else. When price is the determining factor of where we…

Rafay’s Recitations: The Unquiet Dead

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,…

Spotlight on Islamic Art: The Blue Mosque in Istanbul

The monuments of the Islamic world are a testament to the artistic traditions that have emerged from Muslim nations. Several of these iconic buildings came out of the Ottoman Empire (c. 1299 – 1922 C.E.), which was based in the peninsula of Anatolia in modern-day Turkey. One of the centerpieces of the Ottoman Empire’s architectural…

Rafay’s Recitations: Internment

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.…

Chrysalis

dark not entirely obsidian behind your eyes,splendid sweat drenched in moonlight and stars,mellifluous chirping of crickets,forty-five degrees they position their wings,the vibration reaches your earsinterwoven with the resonance of drums,a divine lullabywhich pounds on your mystic heart,aching for His forgiveness sapphire clouds, aerial as youin a cocoon of flowing cloth,you turn and turn, one with all of…

Rafay’s Recitations: Exit West

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…

Turning the Page with Muslim-American Authors

Many industries are beginning to see more representation and inclusivity in their fields. That is no different in the literary world, as many up-and-coming authors are Muslim-American. With over 80% of American writers being white, it is important that we have ethnic diversity in such an important field. Many of these Muslim-American authors have been…

A Space for Muslim Comedy in Hollywood

Muslim comedy can be very specific and often difficult to explain to those who are not Muslim. Yet, increased Muslim representation in comedic TV shows, films, and standup specials has shown that this humor is relatable to a wide range of audiences. Ramy Youssef, comedian and co-creator of TV’s first Muslim American sitcom Ramy, does…