American Islam
Muslim advocates demand Bloomberg apologize for NYPD spying program
By Aysha Khan — February 21, 2020
(RNS) — A coalition of leading Muslim advocacy organizations sent a letter to Bloomberg this week demanding he apologize for the blanket surveillance in the decade after 9/11 and condemn the use of similar spying programs.
Federal Bureau of Prisons loosens limits on Muslim inmates’ prayer
By Aysha Khan — December 18, 2019
(RNS) — The agency has issued new national guidelines recommending accommodation of group prayer for Muslim prisoners after a Muslim inmate’s lawsuit challenging restrictions at a Kentucky prison.
Muhammad breaks into top 10 US baby names list in 2019
By Aysha Khan — December 6, 2019
(RNS) — The name, popular among Muslims as an act of devotion to honor Islam’s founder, has long been climbing parenting website BabyCenter’s annual list. This year, it made the cut.
Report accuses Arizona imam of misconduct and abuse
By Aysha Khan — November 14, 2019
(RNS) — A victim's advocacy group has accused a Phoenix imam of sexual battery, child abuse, misappropriation of charitable funds and marriage fraud.
US growth of Islam creates need for religious scholars
By Jeff Karoub and Noreen Nasir — November 4, 2019
(AP) — With the difficulty some Middle Easterners are having entering the United States, some American Muslims are looking to educate homegrown imam and scholars to serve their burgeoning communities in the future.
An American Muslim imam’s letter to the American Sikh community
By Omar Suleiman — October 22, 2019
(RNS) — Despite the real harm Islamophobia has caused Sikhs, they have consistently refused to throw the Muslim community under the bus by simply distancing themselves from Islam.
Chicago History Museum shares stories of ‘American Medina’ in new exhibit
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 21, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — The Windy City has also earned the nickname 'American Medina' as a leading area for Muslim communities in the United States, according to a new Chicago History Museum exhibition.
New Reddit project makes mental health care accessible to young Muslims
By Aysha Khan — September 25, 2019
(RNS) — As of this month, the r/Islam subreddit will offer a designated space for young Muslims to explore their own mental health — with guidance from a licensed clinical psychologist.
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.
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.'
On Prime Day, Muslim workers and activists are organizing against Amazon
By Aysha Khan — July 16, 2019
(RNS) — With Amazon’s much-hyped Prime Day sale underway, Muslim workers and faith-based activists are leading major strikes and boycotts of the online retail giant’s biggest discount event of the year.
During Ramadan, growing Muslim philanthropy enters the spotlight
By Aysha Khan — June 1, 2019
(RNS) — Many Muslim-run charity groups are drawing a connection between their philanthropic causes, the Ramadan fast and the Islamic imperative to give to the poor.
Immigrant-run sewing co-op aims to end fast fashion culture, starting with Muslims
By Aysha Khan — May 29, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — One of the country’s first clothing cooperatives run by immigrant and refugee women, Blue Tin Production aims to develop ethical manufacturing for Muslim designers while offering well-paying opportunities for skilled immigrants.
The black Muslim female fashion trailblazers who came before model Halima Aden
By Kayla Renee Wheeler — May 10, 2019
(The Conversation) — Clothing has played a central role in constructing a unique black Muslim identity since at least the mid-20th century.
