Abdul Malik Mujahid reminisces about the simplicity and beauty of the Masjid of the Prophet, along with the many roles it played in the early Muslim community, from a place of prayer, both individual and collective, to a hub of social interaction and social services for all.
As I crossed State Street leaving Palmer House for the Ogilvie station, I saw her. She was clad in black jilbab, a neatly placed hijab on head and a mask.
He found himself in Reseda, California, when the 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck.
It lasted just six seconds but left 57 people dead and more than 9,000 injured. Eventually, the property damage from the disaster was estimated to be around $13 to $50 billion.
Once Khalifa Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, noticed a bird on a tree. He sighed deeply saying “O, bird! How lucky you are! You sit on the tree, you eat from the fruit, then fly away, you fear no accountability or punishment. I wish I was like you.”
If you are like me, you may be making phone calls and marching to end genocide but still feel helpless. Another small minority in America felt like us over a century ago, but they turned their frustration into energy for their empowerment.
Every year, we witness family and friends making resolutions to change for the better: “I will lose 20 lbs”; “I will start praying regularly”; “I will spend more time with the kids”; “I will seek a more fulfilling career”.