It is Black History Month. For the past few years I have consciously worked to focus my efforts to use this month to seek out history, learn about, and be reflective of Black America, Black Islam, and issues intersecting People of Color. You may wonder why a South Asian immigrant child is so focused onContinue reading “Black History Month: Each Year I Witness”
Category Archives: Activism
On the Art of Reflection: Or, After Guatemala
“My action item when I get back home from Central America is to force myself to reflect,” I had triumphantly shared to the Delegation group in our last wrap up reflection session right before my early morning departure from Guatemala City. But in my mind, as I sit on the flight back to LAX, IContinue reading “On the Art of Reflection: Or, After Guatemala”
NYC- There’s Just Your First Time
Adventure, did someone yell “ADVENTURE?” I fell that these days I hear it everywhere! And, apparently 2015, so far Alhumdulillah, can be summed up in that single word. Being the de facto theme for this year. Its my first visit, to New York City, can you imagine that? (Then on to Boston and a camping trip toContinue reading “NYC- There’s Just Your First Time”
Toltsoy on Mentorship
Toltsoy’s War and Peace is a wonderful study of Russian aristocratic life, and a keen example of why Russia is the way it is today. Besides that aspect, Tolstoy had an amazing understanding of human nature and social behavior. His portrayal of interactions capture my attention, making me feel like I were truly a fly onContinue reading “Toltsoy on Mentorship”
On King, the FBI, and Dangerous Bodies
When I think about Federal law enforcement and local community policing relationships, my view is framed through the lens of history. Its not that I’ve adopted the “dont’t trust anyone over the age of 30” attitude, but rather its that I have come from a general attitude that a citizen “MUST question question authority, especiallyContinue reading “On King, the FBI, and Dangerous Bodies”
On Learning Life Lessons From Dr. Maher Hathout
Over the weekend a pioneering American Muslim leader, Dr. Maher Hathout, passed away. It definitely starts the New Year off to a somber start, but as per Dr. Hathout’s style, even his death was a way to learn life lessons because with the start of the New Year, we are faced with our own mortality and ofContinue reading “On Learning Life Lessons From Dr. Maher Hathout”
On Charges of Torture, Etc., Etc., Etc.
War and Torture go hand in hand, and no one should be surprised that the United States has its hand in this cookie jar. The Torture Report revelations especially struck me, I was in the midst of reading the Seerah (the biography of the of Prophets life and mission) around the time the Muslims were tortured byContinue reading “On Charges of Torture, Etc., Etc., Etc.”
On the UCSD Cross Cultural Center- 20 Years of Amazing
The “Cross” is a borderland experience because it lies at the intersection of cultures and communities that make up the diversity of America. What is the Cross? Well the Cross is short for the Cross Cultural Center, it is a place I considered sanctuary, as well as a place that transformed each week on FridayContinue reading “On the UCSD Cross Cultural Center- 20 Years of Amazing”
Why I Decided Not to Vote
…By Mail No. I would not squander my vote like that. It’s actually the one responsibility I have as a citizen of this republic. Democracy is by the people, for the people, of the people; until those people stop voting. Its not perfect, but no human endeavor is. Worse, if people are dying in Iran,Continue reading “Why I Decided Not to Vote”
The “Bear Flag Republic” Develops Young Leaders
The awesome thing about civic engagement is seeing young adults develop skills and then apply them to real life situations. Since 2005 I have had the opportunity to be part of an innovative program called the Muslim Youth Leadership Program (MYLP) which was created by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Sacramento chapter for CAIR CaliforniaContinue reading “The “Bear Flag Republic” Develops Young Leaders”
Corner Office Shaikh 