To my brother @ZohranKMamdani,

I pray this note reaches you in the best of health and highest of spirits, though I know the times you are navigating are far from easy. I’ve watched with deep admiration the sincerity with which you carry your responsibilities — not only as a public servant, but as a son of Queens, a steward of justice, and a bearer of compassion in a time where it is far too rare.

Reflections on the Murder of 4 Muslim Men in New Mexico & Anti-Shia Hatred (Thread) The horrific news that the 4 men murdered in New Mexico were killed in an act of anti-shia hate should impact all of us.

A Short But Deep Lesson on Why We Shout When We Are Angry

(Thread) A wise man was once with a group of his students when they came upon a family that was shouting in anger at each other. He asked the students, ‘Why do people shout at each other when they are angry?’

I've always wondered if it's more difficult to have feelings that are unspoken or feelings that aren't understood.

(Thread) An irony of feeling grief, sadness, anxiety, etc. is that those feelings tie us and billions of others into a shared emotional experience that theoretically transcends differences of all kinds, creating an opportunity for connection unlike anything else.

I was in Texas yesterday and got back to NYC earlier today. It was not easy being there and I wanted to share some of my experiences and reflections. (Thread) A community had invited me out to help them process the tragic loss of a school teacher, her 4 yr old daughter and grandmother in a heinous act of murder-suicide that was the culminating of an abusive and estranged husband.

A Prayer For The Last Nights Of Ramadan (Thread

In these last nights of Ramadan, gatherings unlike any other time of the year are taking place. We should make sure we are a part of them. Gatherings in which no individual is turned away. The rich, the poor, the strong, the weak, young and old, male and female, skins of all color, complexions of every shade — gatherings that serve as reminders of and truly encompass the presence of the Divine.

TW: Abuse
Since Ramadan has started, we've had every week people reach out to our community for help - each one facing an abusive situation. (Thread)
launchgood.com/NoMoreDV A wife whose husband neglects her emotionally, has struck her in front of their child, and keeps a hold on her with threats related to her immigration status.
launchgood.com/NoMoreDV

A prayer to start this Friday:

Ya Allah, Ya Salaam, Our Lord, The Source Of Peace, bless me on this day and through it's unique blessings, make me a blessing for Your Creation. Where there is distress and agony, make me the source of calm. Where there is hate and bigotry, make me the source of love, compassion and wisdom. Where there is indifference and intolerance, make me the source of consciousness and understanding.

Before our son Kareem was born, my wife Priya, our daughter Madina and I were on a flight and ended up sitting next to a woman who was expecting her first child. (THREAD) I ended up in the middle seat between Priya and this woman as the two of them discussed things only an expecting mother could discuss with a mother. At one point we asked if she knew what she was having and she said, “A boy thankfully. I am so relieved.”

A prayer to start the day:

Ya Allah, Most Gentle God, replenish my heart, mind, body and spirit with all things that are good as I set forth to take on this day. Give me inspiration to work towards achieving each of my heart's aspirations, to find strength through service, success in each failure and make me always from amongst those who bring benefit to Your Creation.

I wonder at times what the oldest version of myself will eventually end up being regretful of when that version of me thinks back to who I am today. Regret at that point will stem not just from the things that I did, but more likely from all the things that I did not do. "I wish I had...." is often the sentiment that plagues the minds of so many when they think back to how they spent their time.

Tonight I'm remembering four women I met, each of whom had asked me to pray for them and to every so often ask others to pray for them as well. As we go into the blessed day of Jummah, I would ask that you all join me and keep them in your thoughts and prayers as well.
(Thread) The first woman came to see me the day after her husband had struck her in the face. She had a pleasant demeanor, was not so well-versed in her religion, but had a desire to learn. For years her husband on and off had hit her.

I remember the first time a mother told me that she feels beyond broken.

(Thread) In front of her 4 children, the eldest of whom I have known for some time, she wept uncontrollably not because she has lived through more than 2 decades of physical, mental, emotional and verbal abuse, but because she feels that she has failed as a mother and as a woman.

Someone asked me recently how Muslims can combat Islamophobia on a local level. I told them that looking at how their mosques treat Muslim women would be a good start.

(Thread) A big criticism that people have around Islam is the treatment of women. We can become simplistic and say that this is primarily because of things like hijab but I would say it more likely than not stems from a lot more than that.

I once ran into a young woman from our ICNYU community who was on her way to an event at our center. She had a smile on her face and said although she was late, she felt blessed by her reason for being late.

(Thread) As the subway was running on a weekend schedule, she found herself frustratingly waiting for the train. She had already slept through her alarm and new she would be late. As she waited, she noticed an elderly woman who was in need of assistance and on her own.

This is Duha. Recently in her high school physics class, Duha was called a terrorist by her teacher. (Thread)

Duha is only 16 years old and attends LaGuardia High School in NYC. Her teacher went on to pressure her to remain silent.

actionnetwork.org/letters/stop-i… Despite this pressure, Duha reported the incident to school administrators (an assistant principal and a guidance counselor) that same day. The school did not investigate.

Support Duha at actionnetwork.org/letters/stop-i…

Our COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund has raised more than $100,000 in just one day alhamdulillah!

@ICNYU is working with @PennyAppealUSA to help individuals and families from all over the country that are struggling to meet their basic needs.

launchgood.com/covidrelief The applications for assistance have been coming in as well. We're hoping to give as much as we can to all those who need it so if you can help us spread the word on the campaign I'd greatly appreciate it.

launchgood.com/covidrelief

An elderly man reached out to me from the hospital earlier this week. He had been admitted with hypothermia due to his apartment having no heat. (Thread)

launchgood.com/covidrelief Due to his hospitalization and illness, he wouldn't be able to work for some time and was already down to his last dollars in savings. He cried tears to me as he expressed his worries about being able to have any food or ways to pay his rent.

launchgood.com/covidrelief

I put up a FB post earlier today that mentioned my wife, Priya. Some comments on the post lead to a discussion about her name being Priya and if it qualifies as a "Muslim" name. I wanted to share some thoughts on that. (Thread) And to be clear, I don't feel defensive at all. I think this is a good learning opportunity.

This is Hanif and Shakima Conry along with some of their children. Both Hanif and Shakima passed away unexpectedly on December 26th.

Their family now needs our support to aid in funds for their beloved children whom they leave behind.

gofundme.com/f/death-of-han… Keep them and their family in your prayers and give what you can to help support for their children.

Please contribute at gofundme.com/f/death-of-han… and share/repost this so that others might pray for them and consider supporting as well.

Watching this debate shows the trajectory that this country has been destined for from its onset.  A nation founded on genocide, built on slavery, and empowered through imperialism now finds itself in an ever-increasing state of decadence.  #Debates2020 #PresidentialDebate2020 The current president and a former vice-president spoke tonight about children in cages at our borders who will likely never see their parents again as a talking point, not a concern. #Debates2020 #PresidentialDebate2020