*This material contains descriptions of historical events that may be distressing to some readers. The events of Karbala are some of the most significant matters in Islam. Fifty years after the passing of Prophet Muhammad, his most beloved grandson, Hussain, was massacred. He was decapitated, his head raised on a spear, and his body… Read more »
Muslim World
Steeped Traditions: The Cultural and Religious History of Tea in the Islamic World by Paige Benner
For those who know me in my real life know I am a tea fanatic. Black, green, red, herbal, hot or iced, with or without milk, I am obsessed. However, through all my brews of teas around the world, I never took time to recognize the culture of the tea I was enjoying, especially tea… Read more »
An Introduction to Kurdish Tattoos by Taylor Nasim Stone
Modifying the body is not, by any means, a new phenomenon and tattoos are among some of the oldest forms of bodily adornment. The content, application, and ascribed meanings within the practice of tattooing can vary widely depending on the geography and culture. Within Kurdish culture, this centuries-old practice is known as deq or xal…. Read more »
The Undying Red Border: Finding Bengali New Year in Exile* by Niger Sultana
As I sit in my quiet study room in America, the hustle and bustle of life back home seem distant, yet still so vivid in my memory. The last time I celebrated Pohela Boishakh—the Bengali New Year—in Bangladesh was in 2020. That year, I was surrounded by my students and colleagues at the Department of… Read more »
Nooruz in Central Asia by Ardahbek Amantur
Is there a Central Asian Nooruz? If you had been a companion of Marco Polo in the 13th century or a Russian empire’s intelligence collector in the 19th century and happened to pass through the Iranian town of Yazdi, the storied city of Bukhara, or the vast Dashti Kipchak steppe around March 20, you would… Read more »
A Testament to Resilience and Faith: Brief History of African American Muslims by Paige Benner
From boxer Muhammad Ali to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, or civil rights activist Malcom X to basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, there is no shortage of impactful Black Muslims in the United States. While they are an integral part of the Muslim community, both in the US and abroad, too often Black Muslims in the United States… Read more »
New Year(s) and Calendars of the Muslim World
The world has recently entered 2025 per Gregorian calculations, but did you know that according to the Islamic calendar we are in the year 1446; and in 1431 in the Bengali calendar; or in 1403 in the Persian calendar? Or perhaps the year 10067 in the Yoruba calendar? While our understanding of what year we… Read more »
Mary in Islam by Dr. Aaron Ponce
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 »