By Saadia Faruqi A new book, The Scent of Jasmine: Coming of Age in Jerusalem and Damascus, offers deep insight into a world that is largely destroyed now. Founding director of both the Palestine Aid Society of America and the Arab American National Museum, Author Dr. Anan Ameri had a Palestinian father and a Syrian mother and moved […]

By Saadia Faruqi Although the year is only half over, three new novels targeted towards Muslim teenagers and young adults are already making news. A combination of dramatic plots and complex characters with real life scenarios of the average Muslim household results in must-read stories, for all ages and backgrounds. God Smites and Other Muslim Girl […]

by Saadia Faruqi A recent memoir published in the United States has given a fresh look at the living conditions in one of the world’s most repressive nations: Saudi Arabia. Manal al-Sharif, Saudi activist who was jailed for the crime of “driving while female” has written a tell-all book about her life in Saudi Arabia, […]

by Saeed Khan At first blush, the title of Haroon Moghul’s latest book will be misleading. “How to Be a Muslim: An American Story” is not a how-to book in the conventional sense. It is not a roadmap on how to perform rituals, develop spirituality or acquire an ethical compass, all of which are undoubtedly […]

By Samana Sheikh Organizations and politicians came together to spread awareness about the importance of voting on August 7, 2018 for the primary election in Dearborn, Michigan. Although, the event included a variety of halal food vendors, face painting for children, henna designs, bouncy houses for kids; the main goal was to make sure residents […]

By Samana Sheikh Abdullah Hammoud, the first Arab-American occupied a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives January 11, 2017. After two strong years of helping legislate the state of Michigan, Hammoud has decided to re-run for a second term. “I realized policy was a little pertained. When I reflected on whose hands were on […]

by Noor H. Salem Global Impact Day is a worldwide event held by Al-Maghrib Institute, in which more than 25 cities participate. The mission is to put knowledge into action, and through different means give back to the community. The theme this year focused on the environment, but the creativity that emerged under the umbrella of […]

by Noor H. Salem  It was a sunny afternoon on Friday that quickly turned into rain, but right in time for the Muslim Community Mosque to defeat the Farmington Hills Police Department at the third annual volleyball match barbeque. For the third year in a row, the Muslim Community Mosque, also known as the Islamic Cultural […]

Photo Courtesy of The Tiger Hunter LLC by TMO Staff Lena Khan is a United States born American-Indian Muslim writer and director. Her first feature film, The Tiger Hunter will be in theaters in many parts of the US on September 22. The movie depicts a young Indian man, who relocates to Chicago in the […]

by Aysha Qamar Everyone is talking about the 69th annual Emmy Awards- where two Muslims took the stage. It was an unheard of sight for many to see two Muslim men, on prime-time television, being portrayed so positively. Actor Rizwan Ahmed and actor-writer Aziz Ansari won two top categories for shows that challenged stereotypes. For nearly […]

by Amina Khan Lowkey, the first time music has brought tears to my eyes. Questions upon questions come to mind when recalling the fire at Grenfall Tower. How did it happen? Why didn’t the fire alarm go off? Why were there no sprinklers installed in the building? Could the fire have been prevented? However, these questions […]

by Amina Khan “The more they tell me I can’t go somewhere, the more I need to see what it’s really like.”  More often than not, tourists refrain from going to the Middle East because of the looming negativity illuminated on the news from these countries. In doing so, the portrayal of people who live […]

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah He was over 85, unable to walk properly, living on medicine more than the food, yet, until the last conscious minute of his life he was inviting people to the Quran. His last travel for this purpose was in California and Georgia just 10 days before he had three massive heart […]

By Nadia B. Ahmad When my grandmother was hospitalized following a cardiac arrest in 2011, I was in Denver. She was in New Jersey. I thought this was it. I booked the next flight out to LaGuardia and picked up a week’s worth of baby food for my six month old, who would accompany me […]

by TMO Staff We, at The Muslim Observer (TMO), held our 8th annual TMO Foundation Banquet Gala in Michigan on October 22. The room was filled with positive energy and supporters of the organization. It was a spectacular night that emphasized the importance of creating a voice for the youth. With the current political climate, […]

by Amina Khan The term “Sharia law” ignites heated arguments as non-Muslims attempt to define it through tenuous sources. However, concurrently, radical Muslims also disseminate false translations of Sharia for the benefit of their own religious extremism and political gain. So then, what is Sharia and is it something Americans should fear? History and Origin Sharia […]

by Noor H. Salem The blessed days of Dhul Hijjah just came to an end, as Eid Al-Adha was celebrated internationally. You may now have an excess amount of lamb in the freezer due to sheep slaughtering on Eid. There’s no better way to use that lamb than to make homemade mansaf, a popular Palestinian dish […]

by Noor H. Salem If you’re a fan of the Mediterranean cuisine, you’re probably accustomed to being served a mouthwatering garlic dip alongside hot fresh pita bread at restaurants. Although all restaurants unquestionably use raw garlic in their dip, the star of the show, many also use other ingredients you’re better off not consuming. Some restaurants […]

by Noor H. Salem It’s difficult to go out for dinner and not order the mouthwatering appetizers, especially unique ones such as crab cakes or avocado egg rolls. One very popular upscale restaurant has a highly sought-out appetizer: avocado egg rolls. They are perfectly crispy from the outside and soft and extremely flavorful from within. They […]

by Noor H. Salem It’s mid-summer, and you’re perhaps at the midst of enjoying plenty of barbequed meat, poultry, burgers, and hotdogs. While protein is crucial for your physical and mental wellbeing, making wise choices is important for your long-term health. Unfortunately, popular grilling food items, such as hot dogs and burgers, can be extremely unhealthy. […]

by Noor H. Salem With a lack of food and drink during the long hours of fasting, you may find yourself feeling more tired than usual. Your lethargy may be due to more than just fasting, but perhaps a lack of certain nutrients and vitamins. For that, it’s crucial that you consume nutrient-packed foods, such as […]

by Ali Muslim You may have heard of autism. What you may not have thought of is that it’s not just a non-Muslim issue. According to the Center for Disease Control, autism is experienced by as many as 1 in 59 children. That includes Muslim children too. “Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a range […]

by Dr. Anis Ansari The optimal treatment of choice for kidney failure is organ transplant, not dialysis.  Unfortunately, kidney failure rates exceed the availability of eligible donors. This growing concern mandates that the patient remain on hemodialysis for long periods of time affecting their quality of life due to the time required to be hooked […]

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah. No Jew accepts Jesus as the Messiah. When someone makes that faith commitment, they become Christian. Someone can’t be both Christian and Jewish. Mike Johnson, the Republican speaker of the House and overwhelming Christian leaders in Democratic and other parties in the US, assert that the Bible asks them to support […]

By: Imam Mustapha Elturk With a heavy heart, I write this letter to convey my profound sadness and deep concern regarding the ongoing crisis in the holy land. The loss of innocent lives is a tragic event that demands unequivocal condemnation. While recognizing the imperative to address acts of violence, it is essential to differentiate […]

by Dr. Muqtedar Khan Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “defining moment” when the Israeli parliament passed the Basic Law: Israel – The Nation-State of the Jewish People. He was slightly off the mark. This law redefines Israel. The document codifies the ethnonationalism that now dominates the Israeli political landscape. Israelis have achieved […]

by TMO Staff President Trump threatened to retaliate if Iran were to threaten the United States or its allies ever again. Foreign Affairs Minister of Iran responded with his own tweet, stating that he was not impressed, nor was he scared of President Trump’s threats. White House Press Secretary, Sarah Sanders, said that President Trump’s […]

By TMO STAFF A Palestinian-American Journalist recently filed a lawsuit in March against Paramount and CBS News Detroit. Ibrahim Samra was fired on February, 28, 2024, after his alleged complaints to how the station was covering the Gaza-Israel conflict overseas. According to the lawsuit, Samra was fired after filing complaints about his treatment and the […]

By TMO Staff COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a testament to resilience and community spirit, Ohio is gearing up to host its first annual Suhoor festival this month, with both Cleveland and Columbus eagerly awaiting the festivities. As preparations unfold, the cancellation of Michigan’s Suhoor festival due to the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict has cast a poignant […]

By TMO STAFF COLUMBUS, Ohio–As the month of Ramadan continues, Ohioans from diverse backgrounds gathered at the Statehouse to break their fast with lawmakers. This year, the conversations surrounded the turmoil overseas in Palestine, the meaning of Ramadan, and what lawmakers can do to combat Islamophobia in Ohio. “I love Ramadan and it’s a holy […]

by Aysha Qamar Officer Kevin Dave who fatally struck Jaahnavi Kandula on Jan. 23, 2023, will be facing no criminal charges, the King County Prosecutor’s Office said according to The Seattle Times. Dave was only issued a traffic infraction after reportedly driving up to 74 miles per hour and fatally striking Kandula over 130 feet. […]

by Aysha Qamar The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has called for an investigation into the conduct of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Custom and Border Protection (CBP) officers and for the release of relevant records in a case for Zainab Merchant. The 27-year-old Muslim woman was forced to show her menstrual pad during a […]

by TMO Staff Recently, it was found that The United States Department of Interior has been attempting to decrease the sizes of national parks to allow for more big businesses and corporations to dig up the lands to build pipelines and search for other natural resources. This has angered many people because the pipeline not […]

by TMO Staff Justice Kennedy has recently announced that he is retiring from the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). The Supreme Court id the highest Court in the United States and any decision made by the Supreme Courts trumps over all other courts in the country. The SCOTUS has been known to have […]

People from diverse backgrounds gathered in downtown Hamtramck, MI on Thursday July 12th, from 6-7 pm to protest “The No Muslim Ban,” and the cruelty being done to the Yemen population. Important keynote speakers included; Abayomi Azikiwe, Rev. Dave Bullock, Saaed Khan, Bill Meyer, Randi Nord, Rev. Rich Peacock, Rev. Ed Rowe, Osama Siblani, Tarek […]

by Salman Masood As kids growing up in an urban city in New Jersey many of us looked towards basketball as an outlet. We spent countless hours on the basketball courts year-round trying to replicate Kobe Bryant’s moves even shouting “Kobe” when we took our shots. As the youngest player in the National Basketball Association […]

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah Abu Uthman al-Sabani al-Shafii (d 449) in his book Kitab ul Maitain narrates Prophet Muhammad as saying, “towards the end of the time, four main groups of people will flock around the Kaaba to perform Hajj: The powerful rulers to have fun or to enjoy the occasion, the rich people to […]

by Basheer Ahmed M.D. The Qur’an started with the word “IQRA” which means “Read” and Allah (SWT) reminds us that every Muslim man’s and woman’s prayer should be: “Rabbi zidni ‘Ilmaa” (O Lord, increase me in ‘ilm (knowledge) -20-114, and Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said, “The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood […]

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah A divided Supreme court on partisan lines upheld Muslim travel ban by a margin of 5 to 4. No different than the 1944 Supreme Court decision that upheld the internment of Japanese American. In the decision, the majority conservative judges believe that the President has a sweeping statutory authority and his […]

Issue 7 Volume25 October 2023 Print

Issue 6 Volume25 June 2023 Print

Issue 5 Volume25 May 2023 Print

Issue 4 Volume25 April 2023 Print

by Justice for Muslims Collective The Justice For Muslims Collective held our second annual community resistance iftar against Islamophobi, June 8. We were joined by over 100 people from the community in a night of fellowship, delicious Palestinian food from Yaffa Grille, and art. It was truly moving for us to see how much we […]

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah Roy Moore the staunch opponent of a Plural and Secular America wins Alabama GOP Primary He claims he upholds the US constitution, yet he defies its principles. He is an attorney and former judge and knows fully well that “Congress shall make no law establishing religion nor abridge the free exercise […]

by Aysha Qamar “My original instinct was to pull out, and historically I like to follow my instincts,” President Donald Trump said in a speech outlining his plan for the 16-year US war in Afghanistan, at the Fort Myer military base in Arlington, Va. “I heard that decisions are much different when you sit behind the […]

by Aysha Qamar The U.S. Justice Department asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a judge’s ruling that prevented the President’s travel ban from being applied to grandparents of U.S. citizens and refugees already being processed by resettlement agencies, Friday. In a court filing, the administration asked the justices to overturn Thursday’s decision by a U.S. […]

by Dr A abdullah, If anyone thinks that by burning the Quran, they would destroy Islam and diminish divine power, they are wrong. They want to provoke Muslims and show hatred for a faith they do not understand or know. They are perverted sadists who are unaware of the beauty of their religion and who, […]

M Basheer Ahmed M D The Martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet of Islam, occurred on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims worldwide commemorate that tragic event on this day in 680 AD. It was a battle between good and evil. Imam Hussain, the beloved grandson […]

By: Imam Mustapha Elturk With a heavy heart, I write this letter to convey my profound sadness and deep concern regarding the ongoing crisis in the holy land. The loss of innocent lives is a tragic event that demands unequivocal condemnation. While recognizing the imperative to address acts of violence, it is essential to differentiate […]

by Dr A abdullah, If anyone thinks that by burning the Quran, they would destroy Islam and diminish divine power, they are wrong. They want to provoke Muslims and show hatred for a faith they do not understand or know. They are perverted sadists who are unaware of the beauty of their religion and who, […]

M Basheer Ahmed M D The Martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet of Islam, occurred on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims worldwide commemorate that tragic event on this day in 680 AD. It was a battle between good and evil. Imam Hussain, the beloved grandson […]

by TMO Staff Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic lunar calendar has begun. On the tenth of this month, Muslims all over the world would commemorate Prophet Ibrahim’s call to universal brotherhood and sisterhood and relive the sacrifices offered by mother Hajjar and her son Ismail. These days are defined as the best […]

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah. No Jew accepts Jesus as the Messiah. When someone makes that faith commitment, they become Christian. Someone can’t be both Christian and Jewish. Mike Johnson, the Republican speaker of the House and overwhelming Christian leaders in Democratic and other parties in the US, assert that the Bible asks them to support […]

By: Imam Mustapha Elturk With a heavy heart, I write this letter to convey my profound sadness and deep concern regarding the ongoing crisis in the holy land. The loss of innocent lives is a tragic event that demands unequivocal condemnation. While recognizing the imperative to address acts of violence, it is essential to differentiate […]

By: TMO staff Writer People of all religions responded to the call of The “Coalition to Stop Genocide in India”, a broad coalition of Indian Americans and US-based civil rights organizations and activists and organized a rally at Times Square on August 5, to protest the celebration of the destruction of the Babri Mosque in […]

By M. Muhammad Ahmed The Trump Administration has recently hired two senior high-level positions who have strong anti-muslim credentials. Mark Kevin Lloyd, who has been appointed as Religious Freedom Adviser at the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Brig. General Anthony Tata (Ret.), nominated to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, have both published […]

Below is an interview featuring Pakistan’s Commissioner who is the head of the government’s flood relief program with TMO writer Mahvish Akhtar