Friday 15 March 2024

Palestine, Islam, and Christianity | A Conversation with Imam Dr. Omar Suleiman

 

Imam Dr. Omar Suleiman is a Palestinian American world renowned scholar and theologically driven activist for human rights. He is the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, and an adjunct professor of Islamic Studies in the Graduate Liberal Studies program at Southern Methodist University. Suleiman was recently awarded the James Joyce Award, an award given by the Literary & Historical Society (L&H) of University College Dublin (UCD), and the highest award granted by an Irish university society. Suleiman is also included in The Muslim 500 - an annual ranking of the world's most influential Muslims compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre. In 2019, the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University and Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives recognized Suleiman among 200 honorees who embody the legacy of the abolitionist’s commitment to social change. He is a native of New Orleans, and currently resides in Dallas with his wife and 3 children.

Thursday 14 March 2024

Coping with Grief and Trauma: Islamic Advice


Grief and trauma are natural parts of the human experience, affecting individuals in various ways. In Islam, there are profound teachings and guidance on how to navigate through these challenging times with patience, faith, and resilience. This blog post aims to provide practical Islamic advice on coping with grief and trauma.

Seeking Patience through Prayer and Supplication:

Turn to Allah (SWT) in prayer and supplication during times of distress. The Quran teaches us that Allah is the Most Merciful and Compassionate, and He is always there to listen to our prayers.
Establishing a consistent prayer routine can bring peace and solace to the heart. Engage in regular Salah, seeking solace in the remembrance of Allah.
Understanding Qadr (Predestination) and Acceptance:

Recognize that everything happens according to the will of Allah (SWT). Reflect on the concept of Qadr and understand that trials and tribulations are tests from Allah.
Acceptance of Qadr doesn't mean suppressing emotions but rather acknowledging the divine wisdom behind every event.
Seeking Support from Community and Counselors:

In Islam, community support is highly emphasized. Seek solace and support from family, friends, and the wider Muslim community.
Additionally, consider seeking professional counseling or therapy from practitioners who understand Islamic values and perspectives.
Engaging in Acts of Sadaqah (Charity) and Kindness:

Channel your grief into acts of kindness and charity. Giving in charity not only benefits those in need but also brings immense spiritual rewards and inner peace.
Engaging in voluntary acts of worship, such as fasting, can also serve as a means of drawing closer to Allah and finding solace in difficult times.
Strengthening Faith through Quranic Reflection and Dhikr:

Turn to the Quran for guidance and solace. Reflect on verses that provide comfort and reassurance during times of grief and trauma.
Engage in frequent Dhikr (remembrance) of Allah, such as reciting SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah), and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest).
Maintaining Self-Care and Healthy Coping Mechanisms:

Take care of your physical and mental well-being. Ensure you get enough rest, eat healthily, and engage in regular exercise.
Avoid harmful coping mechanisms such as excessive isolation, substance abuse, or negative behaviors.
Being Patient and Trusting in Allah's Plan:

Trust in Allah's plan and have patience during difficult times. Remember that trials are temporary, and Allah's mercy is vast.
Keep faith that Allah (SWT) is the best of planners, and He will guide you through every hardship.
Conclusion:
In times of grief and trauma, turning to Islamic teachings and practices can provide immense comfort and strength. By seeking patience, understanding Qadr, seeking support, engaging in acts of kindness, strengthening faith, maintaining self-care, and trusting in Allah's plan, individuals can navigate through these challenging times with resilience and inner peace. May Allah grant us all the strength to overcome adversity and draw closer to Him through every trial we face. Ameen.


Wednesday 13 March 2024

Palestine Talks | An Anti-Zionist Roundtable with Miko Peled and Sami Al-Arian

 


In this exclusive TRT World roundtable discussion featuring Israeli American activist and writer, Miko Peled, and Palestinian activist and professor Sami Al-Arian, who is the director of Center for Islam and Global Affairs based in Istanbul, Zionism is explored as a means of developing anti-Palestinian fear in its followers, a persecutory force against those who – in accordance with key moral principles and international law – stand up for the rights of Palestinians, and, finally, is embedded within American institutions of power.

Tuesday 12 March 2024

Mehdi Hasan debunks ‘top 7 lies about Gaza’

 

Mehdi Hasan debunks seven lies told by the Israeli military about Gaza and 7 October, in a new segment called 'Debunked!' on his new media platform Zeteo.

Friday 8 March 2024

NY Times Hired Fake Journalists To Spread Hamas R@pe Lies On FRONT PAGE!

 

The New York Times has reportedly fired “journalist” Anat Schwartz who co-wrote a front page story for the paper spreading pro-Israeli propaganda in repeating lies about Hamas fighters committed mass rapes during the October 7th attacks. The paper shouldn’t get off the hook so easily, however, for intentionally assigning this story to a former Israeli intelligence agent.

Jimmy and Americans’ Comedian Kurt Metzger discuss the rank hypocrisy and propagandizing coming out of the “Paper of Record.”

Wednesday 6 March 2024

The Free Palestine Podcast - A Conversation with Habib Al Ostaz


In this poignant and compelling podcast, host Tadhg Hickey welcomes Habib Al Ostaz, a Palestinian now residing in Cork, Ireland, for an in-depth conversation that spans the breadth of Habib's life experiences, from his early years in Gaza to his journey to Ireland. With raw honesty and profound emotion, Habib shares his perspective on the heart-wrenching realities of living under occupation, the genocide being perpetrated in Palestine, and the complex fabric of hope, despair, and resilience that defines daily life in the shadow of ongoing conflict.


Tuesday 5 March 2024

Abby Martin Exposes Shocking Level Of Racism At Tel Aviv Rally

 

They touch on the relationship between Zionism and White Supremacy, with help from anti-immigrant protesters in Tel Aviv, before relating it to the domestic politics in the US and the solidarity between communities marginalized by American Empire.

Monday 4 March 2024

On 1948 | Ilan Pappe | Part I | 2018 interview

 

What happened to the Palestinians when Israel declared its independence in 1948?

Was it ethnic cleansing? Chaos? Legitimate Jewish self-defense?

Prof. Ilan Pappe is perhaps the most contentious Israeli historian of this question.

Decidedly left-wing in his outlook, Pappe is both an historian, and a social activist. He's perhaps most famous for his book "The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine," in which he lays out a case that the war for the creation of Israel in 1948 is best understood as an ethnic cleansing of the native Palestinian population by primarily European Jews.

Unsurprisingly, Pappe's scholarship is widely derided in Israel. Yet his work is often celebrated by many pro-Palestinian activists in the Middle East and abroad.

Friday 1 March 2024

Gaza's Women: Abandoned By So-Called 'Feminists' w/. Maryam Aldossari

 

New reports by the UN that Palestinian women have been sexually abused and raped by Israeli women are hideous enough. But even before these reports, the utter horrors suffered by Palestinian women were being ignored. Not by intersectional feminists - who've played a prominent role in opposing Israel's genocidal onslaught - but mainstream media outlets and a brand of mainstream feminism.


I discuss this with Maryam Aldossari, an academic who wrote 'For feminists, silence on Gaza is no longer an option'.