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Paul Ryan’s choice as the vice presidential running mate reveals both the enduring weaknesses in the candidacy of Mitt Romney and the long-term trends that are reshaping the Republican Party. Ryan brings nothing positive to the ticket except that he energizes the core...

There’s hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness. We are lutes, no more, no less. If the soundbox is stuffed full of anything, no music. If the brain and belly are burning clean with fasting, every moment a new song comes out of the fire. —Jalaluddin Rumi on...

These days it seems that all news coming from Pakistan is bad news. Extremism has not abated, violence is recurrent, and US-Pakistan relations seem to be stuck in a downward spiral. But last week I had a fortuitous encounter with good news from Pakistan. I was in Amman, Jordan to...

A few days ago, I was in Ankara having a conversation with a senior advisor to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As we were talking, I heard a loud bang outside his office window, as if someone had fired a gun nearby. Needless to say, I was startled, but my friend and...

I have received several inquiries on why I have not made any statement regarding the issue of whether a woman can lead both men and women in obligatory prayers and Friday prayers. Here is my brief and general response to them. 1. By habit and purpose I leave matte...

The tragic headlines look all too familiar: Several reported killed in second day of Afghan protests over Koran burning. And then Thursday, we learn that two American soldiers have been shot in retaliation and the Taliban is calling for revenge. STRINGER/AFGHANISTAN REUTERS...

This article was published and syndicated by Common Ground News in 2012. Newark, Delaware – In February, Americans celebrate Black History Month. It is also during this month in 1965 that Malcolm X, an African American Muslim minister and civil rights activist, died. His...

“Indeed, Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe! Ask blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation (Qu’ran 33:56).” The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is deeply revered in the Islamic tradition.  Every time Muslims mention his...

Islam has become an important part of American discourse leading up to the 2012 federal elections and candidates everywhere appear eager to take a position on Islam for political gain. Across the country, rising Islamophobia has made it difficult for some Muslims to build mosques...

The America of today has its roots in the India of Mahatma Gandhi – Barrack Obama Today, January 26th, is Republic Day; one of India’s two major national holidays. India became independent in 1947, but its constitution was ratified on this day in 1950. India, the biggest...