Landmark Ruling Nets First Sikh Officer with Turban, Beard in Harris County

Source: IndoAmerican News

 

 

It was a matter of pride for the 50 or so members of the local Sikh community who had gathered in the Officer’s Dining Hall of the Harris County Sherriff’s Administrative Offices on 701 N. San Jacinto St, next to Buffalo Bayou in downtown Houston.  They came to celebrate not only one of their own becoming a police officer, but to witness history in making as one more visage of mainstream rule crumbled to the power of the diversity that is the cornerstone of this region’s appeal.

Why Everyone Should Care about NYPD Surveillance of Muslims

By Saadia Faruqi

Source: Tikkun Daily

 

Last week the U.S. district Court dismissed a long-standing case against the NYPD for their secret surveillance of Muslims in New York and New Jersey in the years after 9/11. Yet few Americans outside of the American Muslim community spoke out against the judgment, and not all newspapers carried the news. For the average American of a different faith, this wasn’t really too newsworthy. Here’s why they are wrong.

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.

Houston Police Scores High on Sensitivity

By Saadia Faruqi

Last week was my last in a year-long cultural sensitivity training for the Houston Police Academy, and I have to say that I felt just a little bit sad to see the end of such a great program. Being part of an interfaith and inter-cultural panel who were willing to give of their time and expertise seemed to me, the epitome of tolerance and respect which make this city so open and inviting.

Is Mutual Respect Too Much To Ask?

By Saadia Faruqi

Over the Eid weekend, a Muslim woman made headlines by calling out the Houston Police Department for their lack of cultural awareness. She alleged that she was frisked by HPD in a way she deemed offensive. Thankfully she hasn’t sued yet (although that might change depending on who’s advising her), but once again the cultural clash between “us and them” seems more prominent than ever. Islamophobia is alive and well in the world today, but one should also carefully consider if every case is in fact one of Islam-bashing. To me, this doesn’t look like it.