My little brother Sunny and I both work part-time in a hospital, and after work, we both go to the hospital chapel to pray. What I love about the chapel is that it is open to all faiths. Sometimes when I walk in, I see a Muslim praying on a rug in one corner, a…
Bob was late to an interview because he overslept after staying out late last night. He did not even have the time to iron his suit or to comb his hair. He missed multiple interviews before, so he was lucky enough to make it to this one. When Bob finally arrived, the…
One day, my friend and I decided to attend a Christian event on campus. As soon as we walked in, friendly students greeted us. The event began with a band singing songs about faith, God, and hope. Although I was not used to the singing, it was nice seeing a bunch of students coming together…
Among the most beautiful, intrinsic elements of our Islamic tradition is the commitment to social justice. Islam came at a time where deep societal injustices were prominent, and our beloved messenger Muhammad (pbuh) challenged these ills and spread the goodness of God’s message to rectify and transform society. Social justice is inseparable from Islam, and…
Have you ever heard any of the following statements? You are not “religious” because ….. you listen to music. you don’t have a beard (males). you don’t wear the hijab (females). you say “hi” instead of “Salaam.” you like to put on make-up and wear nail polish (females). you wear shorts while praying (males). you…
when it feels like the walls are closing in around you and the darkness is louder than the silence and the footsteps that once created a sense of companionship are now gone and it feels like there is no breathing soul in sight and it feels too hard to breathe in the sharp, stinging air,…
Marie : Hey, a couple of friends and I are going out tonight to a frat party. Want to come? Salma : No I can’t. Marie: Why not? Salma: Because I’m Muslim, and I am not allowed. 5 minutes later… Marie: We are going to take a couple of tequila shots before we go. Since…
On my commute to and from school, I sometimes watch Islamic lectures on my smartphone. Not too long ago, while I was on the bus, I remembered a post on the UCLA MSA page mentioning Hamza Yusuf’s “Life of the Prophet,” so I decided to listen to it. Right next to me was a man,…
