I have written several articles on this subject matter. Click on the article titles to read a few of them. MAKING SENSE OF THE SENSELESS (Huffington Post, 2009) PEACE IS AN ELEMENT OF ISLAM (Florida Times Union, 2008) ISLAM HAS NO TIES TO TERRORISM (Miami Herald, 2007) A SENSIBLE WAY TO DESCRIBE TERRORISTS (Florida Times Union, 2006) I am also providing an interview...

Visit my blog to read a short article about this issue: http://drparvezahmed.blogspot.com/2010/12/is-islam-compatible-with-american.html Also, read a scholarly article about the commonalities between American constitutional law and Islamic law. Undoubtedly there are major differences in the details of the but not on overarching principles. This point is being made by...

Question – How long are the prayers (time involved)? Do families pray together or are prayers individualistic? In Islam there are many forms of prayers and supplications. The prayer that Muslims are most often identified with are the obligatory prayers, which are prayed 5 times a day. Prayers are viewed as a direct link between the worshiper and God, without...

Question – What about the place of women? Where do they pray and learn? Are women held to the same standards as men? Women can pray or learn in public or private. She can attend worship services at the mosque. She can attend school or universities. She can pursue whatever profession she chooses. She has the right to choose in marriage and initiate divorce. She...

The evidence about the possibility of Muslim presence in pre-Columbus America is controversial. Linguist Barry Fell in his work Saga America (1980) pointed out that in Inyo county, California, there exists an early American petrogyph (rock carving) which stated in Arabic: “Yasus ben Maria” (“Jesus, Son of Mary”), a phrase commonly found in...

Judaism, Christianity and Islam claim a common father figure – Abraham. I am attaching file that shows the lineage of Moses, Jesus and Muhammad and how they all trace to a common father – Abraham. Muslims sees Judaism and Christianity as earlier versions of Islam. Muslims view Islam as the final revelation of the Abrahamic traditions. The Islamic...

From Fear to Faith, From Grief to Understanding September 11, 2011 Delivered at Temple Israel, Tallahassee, FL on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of 9-11. Event hosted by the Interfaith Council of Tallahassee, FL. By Parvez Ahmed Good evening. Shalom, Peace and Salaam- It is my great honor and pleasure to be here today. Today is a day whose memories are seared...

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...

Our city of Jacksonville has made history by electing Alvin Brown to be our next Mayor. This should fill us up with civic pride and energize us. Jacksonville is our home and we love living here. All of us deserve a Mayor who can lead us to greater economic prosperity and social cohesion. The city must now unite behind Alvin Brown’s leadership and help him achieve...

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...

Published in the Gainesville Sun, Tallahassee Democrat. Other newspapers around the state are also likely to publish this. Ahmed, Romberg and Schlakman: Rep. King’s unAmerican hearings Published: Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 1:46 p.m. Before assuming the chairmanship of the House Homeland Security Committee in January, U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-NY) announced his...

Today’s Zaman (Turkey). Feb 21, 2011 Abuse of Women is Sadly Endemic Parvez Ahmed Amidst all the euphoria about Egypt’s peaceful revolution, the news of CBS news reporter Lara Logan being sexually assaulted hits like a ton of bricks. The people of Egypt, especially its youth, have been such an inspiration that any hint of deviant behavior understandably...