Recently, 28 million copies of the anti-Islamic propaganda documentary, Obsession, were distributed free of charge in what are being considered the “swing” states in the current election campaign. This effort is clearly designed to leverage the idea in the minds of many Americans that Senator Barack Obama is a Muslim (he is not), and therefore, he is to be identified with the images and statements of Muslims portrayed in the video. These portrayals give the impression that Islam is a fanatical, bloodthirsty religion, whose adherents are hell-bent on destroying America.

It is only natural that, as we embark on the journey of reflection on the names and attributes of God, that we first reflect on the most ubiquitous of God’s names in the Qur’an and Islamic tradition: Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem. I begin every blog post with those names; they are at the beginning of every chapter of the Qur’an except one; they are also all over the hadith literature. Yet, these words are very difficult to truly translate, very difficult to fully convey the beautiful meanings of these two most beautiful words. I translate them at “The Most Merciful, the Most

Wearing Bhutto as a last name in Pakistan is analogous to carrying a flamboyant, rare, elitist Prada bag: an accessory that assures you will never be common nor anonymous. The Bhutto merchandise captivates the political landscape as a dynamic, privileged, legendary and plagued real estate that encapsulates all that is wildly schizophrenic, volatile but ultimately endearing about Pakistan. It’s precisely this mythology borne from a feudal dynasty that burdens Fatima Bhutto, the charismatic and outspoken niece of recently assassinated Benazir Bhutto, and daughter of Murtaza Bhutto, himself assassinated in 1996.

Digital transfer offers endless possibilities for creating custom décor elements.  I recently came across a company that expanded my ideas regarding the medium. The company, Orangepiel of Sausalito, California offers creative technology that has intriguing possibilities on a grand scale. With one decoxr panel they can completely infuse a room with the mood and style that is desired. They have the ability to custom print virtually any text, graphic, photograph, or pattern on an almost limitless size panel.

I remember sitting in a small coffee shop on the banks of Lake Merritt waiting to meet with a stranger. A teacher had set up a meeting with one of his friends who wanted to launch a “media project.” He asked me to meet with his friend because I was working as a reporter in Oakland at the time and maybe I could offer some guidance.

Some time ago I was struck by an epiphany. It was nothing major in fact it was the essence of simplicity. It had to do with hospitality, to be specific having guests. I had built up the idea of having guests to the level of  a chore,  which meant that it was a rare occurrence. I think my nature was partly to blame, the perfectionist part in me and the limiting idea of things always needing to be perfect.

God is Infinite, transcendent above any and all complete comprehension. No finite human mind can fully comprehend the infinite true reality that is the precious Lord. Thus, in order to make Himself better known, God describes Himself in ways, although inherently incomplete, that His finite servants can understand. Hence the names and attributes of God that are mentioned in Islamic tradition. There are many more than the famous 99 Names of God in the Islamic sacred literature. Yet, the 99 Names are the most famous, and they provide the believer with only a glimpse, a small one at that, into

One of the most popular forms of education within the Muslim-American community is the full-time Islamic school. Conservatively estimated to number 250 Islamic institutions in the U.S. alone, these schools have made great strides in the past decade in keeping academic performance up and creating a well-balanced Muslim-American identity.

In 1996, Al-Jazeera, the Qatari-based Arab satellite station, gained world renown as the first Arab news channel to broadcast dissenting views in the Middle East, pushing the envelope of free speech in the region. Within several years of the launch, the network was seen as pushing too far. Al-Jazeera earned a reputation as an outlet for terrorist propaganda by airing taped messages and interviews with al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks, as well as video of insurgent attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Almost a week before, I had called Seymour Hersh on a lark, trying to score an interview regarding his New Yorker article Shifting Targets: The Administration’s plan for Iran, an explosive piece outlining the Bush Administration’s strategic and aggressive preparation for a potential attack on Iran. When Hersh writes, everyone reads and the world pays attention.