Few in Western societies are aware of the importance of Mary in Islam. The Virgin Mary, or Maryam (مريم) in Arabic and Farsi, Meryem in Turkish, is among the most revered women in the Islamic tradition. In comparison to Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), and other women figures in Islam including Khadija and… Read more »
The Deep-Rooted Ties between Portugal and Islam by Paige Benner
Often when Americans think of Europe as a whole, they often associate Christianity and colonization. While this is often the case, there are beautiful cultures that lie within the minority of people in these areas. This concept is especially true in Lisbon, Portugal, a city I was lucky to study abroad in for the month… Read more »
Blended Thanksgiving by Lubabah Hassan
I always get excited when November rolls around. Not just because of the autumn weather and the pumpkin spice, but because it’s time for one of my favorite holidays: Thanksgiving! My family has celebrated Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember, but our traditions have changed over the years. When I was younger, we… Read more »
Whatever shape vase you pour Islam into, it takes that shape: Reconciling My Cherokee Heritage and My Muslim Identity by Sarina Asbury-Bagcioglu
As a convert to Islam, or rather a “revert,” I have faced challenges navigating the metamorphosis of my identity that has been shaped by many factors, including my background, cultural traditions, and societal attitudes. In blending my Native heritage and Muslim faith, I have built a strong personal sense of self and connection with my… Read more »
“The ‘Phobias’ of Horror Pt.2: A Review of Muslim Representation in Midnight Mass” by Isaiah Green
In this second blog I will discuss the hit Netflix original series Midnight Mass, from director Mike Flanagan, and how it incorporates Muslim beliefs as an integral part of the story. If you have not read my previous blog, I advise doing so as I discuss the concepts of analyzing post-9/11 horror stories there. If… Read more »
“The ‘Phobias’ of Horror Pt.1: A Review of Muslim Representation in Sinister” by Isaiah Green
It seems prudent to recognize a shift in the horror genre with post-9/11 productions integrating more Orientalist and Xenophobic storytelling as a means of creating fear for their American audiences. Throughout various films and series, these tropes found popularity in several sub-genres, such as home invasions, secret cults, and exorcist stories that began to embody… Read more »
“Jewish and Christian Women’s Use of Islamic Law and Courts in Persia during the 7th cen. CE” by Lindsay Ruth
Beginning in 636, an Arab Muslim army set out to conquer one of the most important empires of the ancient world, the Sasanian Persian Empire. The religiously diverse population experienced new rulers, a new elite class, and even a new religion taking over the once-Zoroastrian dominated former world power.[1] Since the conversion of subjects was… Read more »
Roots Run Deep: Celebrating a Rich Linguistic Heritage by Sofia Herrera
HISPANIC—from the root word Hispania, it refers to the regions of Iberia, and ultimately the language there, too. Is the Spanish language the main unifier for those with Hispanic heritage? Much of the food, music, and culture of Latin America originate from three different continents and centuries of cultural diffusion under colonization—and Spanish remains the… Read more »
Al-Mawlid Al-Nabawi: A Global Celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s Birth by Dr. Attia Youseif
Mawlid al-Nabi, also known as the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, is an annual celebration that holds deep religious and cultural significance for Muslims across the globe. The term “Mawlid” comes from the Arabic word “مولد,” meaning “birth,” and the full expression “Mawlid Al-Nabi” or “AL-Mawlid Al-Nabawi” translates to “the birth of the Prophet.” Observed on the… Read more »
Hui (Chinese-speaking) Muslims in China by Jing Xu
China’s Hui population, numbering around 10 million, is a unique ethnic group that practices Islam and is dispersed across various provinces such as Ningxia, Gansu, Xinjiang (also referred to by many as East Turkestan), Shanxi, Shaanxi, Yunan, Tibet, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia. Notably, this group also extends beyond China’s borders, with a presence in Central… Read more »