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...

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 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...

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...