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
How mosques around America will celebrate Eid during a pandemic
By Aysha Khan — May 21, 2020
BOSTON (RNS) — Muslim communities are finding creative ways to celebrate Eid al-Fitr this weekend while abiding by social distancing guidelines.
Need a Quran teacher? There’s an AI for that
By Aysha Khan — May 20, 2020
(RNS) — Tens of thousands of Muslims are turning to technology to continue the sacred practices of hifz, or preserving the entirety of the Quran through memorization.
Wrongfully imprisoned for decades, Jimmie Gardner is driven by faith and justice
By Aysha Khan — May 13, 2020
(RNS) — Former pro athlete Jimmie C. Gardner spent 27 years behind bars in West Virginia’s prison system. And all the while, he says, it was his trust in God that kept him pushing to prove his innocence — and now that he's out, to fight for others like him.
Released from prison due to outbreak, fringe Muslim leader continues ministry
By Aysha Khan — May 11, 2020
(RNS) — Imam Earl Abdulmalik Mohammed, who claims to be the rightful successor to Imam W. Deen Mohammed, has been released early from federal prison due to the coronavirus.
On Mother’s Day, young Uighurs ask: Where are our moms?
By Aysha Khan — May 8, 2020
RNS — Akida Pulat and other Uighurs suspect their parents have disappeared into this system. In a social media video they plan to publish on Sunday (May 10), she and over half a dozen young Uighurs around the world will demand the release of their mothers.
New Jersey man accused of ramming Muslim woman’s car
By Aysha Khan — May 7, 2020
(RNS) — Michael Morrison is in jail after allegedly ramming his SUV twice into a Muslim woman’s car and threatening to kill her and her son.
After advocating for his release, Uighur woman hears from father via Chinese media
By Aysha Khan — May 6, 2020
BOSTON (RNS) — Samira Imin’s next mission is to determine whether her father’s release from Chinese detention is genuine.
Meet Muslim, a new online publication for the Gen Z ummah
By Aysha Khan — April 30, 2020
(RNS) — Last week, student journalist and internet culture obsessive Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh launched Muslim, a digital publication for Muslim teens and young adults.
Suspect charged in fire that destroyed Missouri mosque
By Aysha Khan — April 28, 2020
(RNS) — Police arrested a suspect in a Missouri mosque fire. Mosque leaders say the building has been declared a total loss and would require about $1 million in repairs.
New York City Muslims work to build food security during Ramadan
By Aysha Khan — April 28, 2020
(RNS) — One project in Brooklyn will distribute free gift cards for Muslim-owned businesses among working-class immigrant families in the area.
Ismaili TV-streaming platform launches in response to pandemic
By Aysha Khan — April 24, 2020
(RNS) — Ismaili Muslims have launched a global 24/7 online streaming platform to keep members connected.
During Ramadan in isolation, Muslims get creative to preserve community
By Aysha Khan — April 23, 2020
(RNS) — With a Ramadan in self-isolation set to start this week, Muslims are seeking ways to sustain the traditions and community connections that the holy month usually brings.
Gift drive for the children of Muslim inmates seeks to serve the ‘hidden ummah’
By Aysha Khan — April 20, 2020
(RNS) — With prison systems nationally shutting down outside visitation due to the pandemic, one Muslim chaplain is working to help close the gap between incarcerated Muslims and their families.
Oral history project preserves stories of black Muslim seniors amid pandemic
By Aysha Khan — April 17, 2020
(RNS) — A new oral history initiative aims to train black Muslim youth to document their elderly community members’ stories, before it's too late.
As Ramadan nears, prisons urged to accommodate faith needs during pandemic
By Aysha Khan — April 16, 2020
(RNS) — Faith groups say accommodating all prisoners’ religious needs is more critical than ever during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, particularly with Ramadan around the corner.
