Aysha Khan
Aysha Khan is a Boston-based journalist reporting on American Muslims and millennial faith for RNS. Her newsletter, Creeping Sharia, curates news coverage of Muslim communities in the U.S. Previously, she was the social media editor at RNS.
All Stories by Aysha Khan
US judge: Terrorist watchlist violates citizens’ constitutional rights
By Aysha Khan — September 5, 2019
(RNS) – The lawsuit was brought forth by 23 U.S. Muslims, including a toddler who at just 7 months old was added to the secretive federal watchlist of “known or suspected terrorists.”
Report: News coverage of Muslims is more negative than of other minority groups
By Aysha Khan — September 4, 2019
(RNS) — Researchers attributed some of the findings to coverage of violent conflict or Islamist groups, but also noted a lack of obituaries and wedding announcements about Muslims.
Muslim refugee teen previously blocked from US arrives on Harvard campus
By Aysha Khan — September 3, 2019
BOSTON (RNS) — The organization that granted the teen a scholarship said that the U.S. Embassy in Beirut had reissued a visa for him after reviewing his case.
At first Muslim presidential forum, Sanders reaps adoration of ISNA attendees
By Aysha Khan — September 1, 2019
(RNS) — At the Islamic Society of North America's first-ever presidential forum, both Sanders and Julián Castro underscored the need to build solidarity between communities to turn the tide against President Trump in 2020.
Anti-extremism program won’t stop hate, say Muslims who’ve seen its flaws
By Aysha Khan — August 30, 2019
BOSTON (RNS) — Across the country, the question of engagement in federal Countering Violent Extremism programs—including, in Massachusetts, a half-million dollar police mentorship program targeting Boston’s Somali Muslim youth—continues to divide Muslim communities.
Muslims bailout fund raises nearly $150,000 to reunite migrant families
By Aysha Khan — August 28, 2019
(RNS) — The Muslims for Migrants crowdfunding initiative has so far released nine detained parents and reunited them with their families.
Utah Mormon official removed from local position after voyeurism arrest
By Aysha Khan — August 21, 2019
(RNS) — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has removed a high councilman from his local church position in Utah after he was charged with taking photos of a woman undressing in a Tennessee clothing store.
Texas imam ordered to pay $2.55 million in sexual misconduct case
By Aysha Khan — August 15, 2019
(RNS) — The alleged victim sued Imam Zia Ul-Haq Sheikh in 2018, claiming that he had coerced her into sex with him at a local motel after years of grooming and exploitation.
Former Muslim chaplain alleges workplace discrimination at New York prison
By Aysha Khan — August 14, 2019
(RNS) — The former chaplain, who wore the hijab, said her supervisor told her, 'I find it hard to respect a woman who covers her hair.'
Kashmiri Americans organize to put a human face to the crisis in their homeland
By Aysha Khan — August 13, 2019
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (RNS) – As Kashmir faces a security lockdown and widespread media blackout, U.S. Kashmiris are kicking up a new wave of activism focused on 'azaadi.'
Boston’s Catholic archdiocese expands effort to digitize archives
By Aysha Khan — August 12, 2019
BOSTON (RNS) — The data will help individuals hoping to trace back their family ancestry, as well as historians, genealogists, economists and other scholars looking for bulk data for their research.
Muslim initiative raises $13,000 to release detained migrant parents
By Aysha Khan — August 8, 2019
(RNS) — Launched on Aug. 5 by the Islamic nonprofit CelebrateMercy, the Muslims for Migrants campaign has already exceeded its original goal of raising $10,000 in two weeks.
Sanders, Castro to attend Muslim-led presidential forum in Texas
By Aysha Khan — August 6, 2019
(RNS) – The presidential forum, which will include moderated one-on-one sessions with the candidates, will take place Aug. 31 at the Islamic Society of North America’s annual convention in Houston.
Muslim activists continue to push against Quebec secularism law
By Aysha Khan — July 26, 2019
(RNS) — Last week, Quebec’s Superior Court rejected civil rights advocates’ legal request to temporarily suspend operation of the controversial new ban on religious symbols for state workers. But activists say the fight isn't over.
Coalition of 850 religious leaders backs lawsuit against DHS surveillance of pastor
By Aysha Khan — July 25, 2019
(RNS) — Manhattan pastor Kaji Douša filed a federal lawsuit accusing U.S. officials of violating her religious liberty by detaining and surveilling her over her border ministry. Now, more than 850 clergy members are standing in support of her.
