This article was written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews). Published in Khaleej Times, September 1, 2011. Last year, during a raging controversy over the building of an Islamic center in Lower Manhattan, Time Magazine ran a cover story titled, “Is America Islamophobic?” Shortly thereafter, a poll released by Time showed nearly six in ten...

PUBLISHED IN ALTMUSLIM AND THE AMERICAN MUSLIM How Islamic is “Islamic”? BY PARVEZ AHMED, JUNE 19, 2011 A Malaysian political leader has asked political parties in his country to stop using the word “Islam” in their names so that, “nobody can make use of the religion for their political gains.” This progressive thought is ironically closer to the...

Published in Turkey’s Today’s Zaman, May 3, 2011. Also on Huffington Post. An edited version appears in the Florida Times Union. MEMO TO OSAMA BIN LADEN, NOW DEAD Parvez Ahmed Although rejoicing death is not part of the religious traditions of Muslims, Christians or Jews, I cannot help but feel a sense of joyful relief now that you are no longer capable...

April 25, 2011 There is nothing especially unusual about awards or appreciating the good works of outstanding individuals. But it is unique to have the sponsoring organization celebrating the audience. That is what happened last Tuesday night during “An Evening of Gratitude” by the Muslim community. The sentiments were so touching, the positive energy in...

Today’s Zaman, Sunday, March 27, 2011 Convergence of interests and values by Parvez Ahmed* It happens once in a blue moon — the convergence of Western military action with Arab and Muslim public opinion. The last time we witnessed such convergence was during the US-led interventions in the Balkans, which stopped an ethnic cleansing and eventually brought...

Today’s Zaman, Feb 3, 2011 We are all Egyptians now I am mesmerized by the peaceful popular uprisings calling for the end of three decades of dictatorial rule in Egypt. Often the news from the Muslim world is depressing. Not today. The impact of this is still unknown. But one thing is unmistakably clear: We are all Egyptians now. The young voices from Egypt...