Would you Wear Hijab for a Day?

By Rev. Nell Green
Source: ABP News Blog

February 1^st was World Hijab Day. For those of you who might not know, hijab is the head covering worn by some Muslim women. The idea was to invite women who do not hijab, both Muslim and women of other faiths, to wear the covering for one day to increase awareness and understanding. Many, perhaps most, were completely unaware of the day. 

Hijabi for a Day

By Saadia Faruqi
Source: Altmuslimah
 

February 1, 2013 marked the first World Hijab Day, a day organized by New Yorker Nazma Khan to allow women to experience the hijab firsthand. Citing discrimination from Muslims and non-Muslims alike, she conceived of the idea so that those who have never worn hijab themselves could walk in the shoes of women who have.

It's Not What You Say, It's Where You Stand

By Rabbi Laura Sheinkopf

As a rabbi I have done my fair share of invocations and benedictions for community events, interfaith gatherings and organizational meetings. I think of it as the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to interfaith relations.  Coming from the liberal east coast circles where I was raised, being a female rabbi is not all that interesting but it’s a different story down here.  There are a surprising number of people I meet who know very little about Judaism and even fewer who are aware that there are female rabbis.

Landmark Court Decision About Hijab May Pave the Way to Tolerance

By Saadia Faruqi

Source: Tikkun Daily

 

Until today, American Muslim women have been fighting an uphill battle for their right to cover their heads in the traditional hijab. Whether at school, work, even government offices, we have stood unflinching as the debate about Islamophobia, creeping Shariah and all the other ugly words associated with being Muslim in America have swirled about us. Hearing negative comments, facing discrimination in hiring, being marginalized in social groups or treated with sympathy for assumed oppression, we have faced it all while defending our right to express our faith through our dress. Until today.

The Highest Kind of Love

By Ramona Siddoway

I’ll freely admit it. I really like people who like me. Maybe it’s because they seem to get my jokes, my dry sense of humor, or instinctively understand what makes me tick. I like it when people get me and make me feel that it is possible I just may be a loveable creature after all. It’s a nice feeling. But I realized something – thankfully – a long time ago. If I stick only with people I’m completely comfortable with I lose out on a lot of great experiences, interactions, and friendships along the way. This would mean losing out on a lot of life. And boy life can be pretty exciting and cool.

Religious Clergy Represent All of Us

By Saadia Faruqi

Source: Tikkun Daily

What’s the difference between a Catholic priest and an Imam? Although it may sound like the opening line of a joke, both these individuals actually do have a lot in common. For both Catholics and Muslims, priests and imams are prayer leaders, spiritual guides, mentors, teachers and so much more. Even outside of their congregations, they command respect from all who meet them because they wear the badge of religious leadership.

Reading Opens Minds and Hearts

By Nancy Agafitei

 

 

Reading is an important part of my life, and since I have been involved with Interfaith efforts I have been able to find messages of connection in much that I read. Here is an example. I am currently reading "Woman Hollering Creek" by Sandra Cisneros for the Pen and Paintbrush book club that partners the Barbara Bush Library with the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts. The discussion pairs significant works of literature with works of art currently on exhibit at the museum.