Islam

Muslim woman sues Los Angeles Police Department for forcibly removing her hijab

September 18, 2020

A 26-year-old Muslim woman is suing the Los Angeles Police Department a year after she said officers forcibly removed her hijab.

The federal lawsuit, filed Thursday (Sept. 17) in the Central District of California, names the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore, police Detective Corey Harmon and four officers as defendants.

On Sept. 17, 2019, officers handcuffed and...

Building interfaith community at work

September 10, 2020

There are lots of ways to be an “only” at work; mine has always been my faith. I’m a visibly Muslim woman who’s been wearing a headscarf, aka hijab, since I was 16 years old, out of my own desire and love for my faith. In the month of Ramadan I fast in an office filled with free snacks, regular lunch meetings and all the coffee one’s heart can desire. I strive to pray five times a day, which can be hard when there’s no space to pray at work.

I don’t drink alcohol and feel a bit uncomfortable at bars and happy hours where much of the team building and...

Staying spiritual, safe: Campus religious groups adapt to social distancing

September 9, 2020

The Hillel Jewish Student Union used to pack hundreds of students into its Forbes Avenue building almost every Friday evening. Although students can no longer gather in crowded rooms, they’re still spending their Fridays with a few friends and a whole lot of challah.

From socially distant Shabbat to virtual Bible studies to international pen pal programs, students of various religions are solidifying their faith and their communities while following public health...

Trump’s travel ban motivated Muslims to participate in politics. Now, they’re eyeing local office

September 9, 2020

The five young Muslim Americans huddled around a table inside the Yemeni coffee shop, pouring adeni chai into curved red and gold glasses. Voice by voice the discussion turned to why they must make their presence felt on Nov. 3, and the need to hold politicians’ feet to the fire on issues like immigration, racial justice and foreign policy.

“For a long time, Muslims have felt a lot of bigotry and racism, and just feeling like our contributions in society weren’t looked at or held like other communities,” Adam Abusalah, 19, told the group from behind his mask...

Amid virus lockdowns, prison ministry groups had to adapt

August 31, 2020

Normally Teresa Stanfield spends her days in prisons talking with inmates about how she changed the course of her troubled life, and how they can do the same. But the coronavirus has locked her on the outside.

“When COVID came and shut down programming, I was extremely disappointed,” said Stanfield, Oklahoma field director with Virginia-based Prison Fellowship. “But I also knew that God had a plan and we were going to do everything we could to continue to encourage our returning citizens and keep our volunteers connected.”

For Stanfield, the answer...

Rep. Rashida Tlaib joins Congressional Freethought Caucus

August 21, 2020

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, one of the first Muslim women in Congress, has joined the Congressional Freethought Caucus.

Launched in 2018, the caucus seeks to promote secular government, separation of church and state, freedom of conscience and policy “based on reason, science, and moral values,” and to oppose discrimination against nonreligious people, or the so-called nones.

Members do not need to identify as nonreligious. Tlaib is Muslim.

“Supporting religious freedom, church/state separation, and evidence-based public policy aren’t simply...

Utah man says he was fired from Cedar City car dealership ‘because I am a Muslim'

August 20, 2020

A Utah man has filed a federal employment complaint against a Cedar City car dealership, alleging that his supervisors and colleagues harassed and discriminated against him after he converted to Islam.

When Allan Goodson was hired as a mechanic at Bradshaw Chevrolet one year ago, he was a Christian. He said soon after, he heard others at the dealership disparage nonwhite or non-Christian people, but in particular Muslims. Goodson said because of that, he started researching Islam. He said the teachings made sense to him, and he converted.

“I felt...

MN faith leaders gather in support of Muslim community following attack

August 17, 2020

Minnesota religious and political leaders are making a show of support for the state's Muslim community following an attack on a local imam.

On Friday, a group of speakers gathered outside the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington. Among the elected officials were Gov. Tim Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, Attorney General Keith Ellison and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips.

Also on hand were Archbishop...

La Crosse Interfaith Shoulder to Shoulder Network marks Eid al-Adha by helping WAFER feed families in need

August 17, 2020

In honor of Eid al-Adha, a Muslim holiday recognizing community and sacrifice, the La Crosse Interfaith Shoulder to Shoulder Network is helping neighbors secure good nutrition in a time of economic hardship.

The La Crosse Interfaith Shoulder to Shoulder Network, a grassroots organization promoting tolerance, freedom and peace, donated $1,500 to WAFER food pantry earlier this month, hoping to assist families struggling to put food on the table during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic has left many furloughed or forced to leave their jobs to take...

Worship during COVID-19: How Cheez-Its, ZOOM and blue tape are the new norms in faith

August 14, 2020

Each Sunday, Ray Smith and his family go to their living room for church, which they've watched online since the coronavirus pandemic caused most places of worship to close earlier this year.

His wife knew how to prepare unleavened bread from her time at a small church while growing up and soon she was providing the bread for their home communion.

“It was really cool when all this started because she didn’t miss a beat,” Smith said. “We went out and got grape juice and she made the bread. In a pinch one week, we used Cheez-Its...