Despite all the attention mania gets, most of us with bipolar know all too well that depression is far more common than either mania or hypomania. It’s a particularly annoying that people with “bipolar I” experience more mania than depression. Having bipolar I, I can personally attest to this. I spend about thrice (yes, I just used the word thrice) as much time depressed as I do manic or hypomanic.
Read MoreAl Arabiya: Why are Islamic States reluctant to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights? →
Last month, in an historic and long-overdue move, the United Nations passed a resolution recognizing the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender people around the world.
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: Muslim States Must Support LGBT Rights →
Last week, in an historic and long-overdue move, the United Nations passed a resolution recognizing the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender people around the world. With South Africa leading the charge, the U.N. Human Rights Council voted in favor of the resolution by a narrow margin of 23 to 19, with three abstentions. The new declaration holds that no one should be subject to discrimination or violence based on her or his sexual orientation or gender identity.
Read MoreThe Guardian: The true spiritual leader of Iran is Rumi →
Iran's officially recognised "spiritual leader" today may be Ayatollah Khamenei, but for hundreds of years before the current establishment of mullahs and ayatollahs, Iranians of all creeds have looked to another spiritual leader: Jalal ad-Din Rumi. While this 13th-century Persian Sufi poet is known in much of the west as "Rumi", he is referred to more affectionately in Iran as "Mowlaana," or the Master.
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: What is a True Islamic Republic? →
Recent events in the Middle East have many commentators frantically speculating about what the future holds for Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Yemen, Iran, Bahrain, Libya, Syria and any other country whose citizens are choosing to rise up in protest. Across the region, people are bravely standing up, with many common demands — chiefly, social and economic reforms, as well as an end to rampant corruption and human rights abuses. Who could find fault with that? Unfortunately, a whole lot of people.
Read MoreJourneys Magazine: Skyland Trail Gave Me Hope →
Ms. Magazine: You Can Protest with the Women Liberating the Middle East →
On the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, a group of feminists from across the Middle East have joined together as Women United for the Future of the Middle East to call for regionwide demonstrations in support of women’s rights. They’ve drawn support from the likes of GlobalSister.org, Women’s Institute for Freedom of the Press and Nawal Al-Saadawi, as well as Iranian American women’s rights activist (and former political prisoner) Esha Momeni, who had this to say:
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: Egypt, Tunisia and the Iranian Opposition →
Like so many from the Middle East, I’ve followed recent events in Tunisia and Egypt with intense interest. Witnessing the Tunisian and Egyptian people topple long-standing, brutal dictators within weeks has filled me with joy and awe. But it has also filled me with another, less tender emotion: envy. Granted, as a rule, envy tends to be both unconstructive and unbecoming. But every rule has an exception, and this may be it.
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: Why the Real Threat Is Islamophobia, Not Islam →
When you hear the word “terrorist,” who comes to mind? Basque separatists in white hoods? Anarchists wearing bandanas with five-pointed stars? Or perhaps some right- or left-wing pariah building bombs in basements?
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: Enough With Insane Mental Health Cuts →
At 14, I joined my high school speech and debate team. Ever since, I’ve been hooked on public speaking. Put me in front of a bunch of strangers, the more the better, and I thrive. I don’t need to imagine people in their underwear. All I need is my voice and occasionally, a microphone.
Read MoreMs. Magazine: Muslim Dating Ads: What’s With the Racism? →
Among other content, Islamic Horizons, the bi-monthly publication of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), runs personal ads. There are two sections: “Seeking Husband” and “Seeking Wife.” The personal ad below appears in the latest edition under “Seeking Husband,” and it is one of only two ads (among ten) in which a woman is seeking correspondence for herself. (The others are written by parents and a lone uncle.)
Read MoreMs. Magazine: Childless by CHOICE, Get It? →
I don’t want kids. Never have. I consider birth control the greatest invention of the 20th century and I’ve been taking it religiously for nearly a decade. No pregnancies to date, and in the rare event of one I’d be first in line at my local abortion clinic before that zygote even mildly resembled a human. I’ve given a great deal of thought to parenthood—arguably more than many who ultimately pursue it. And recognizing the enormous responsibility, commitment and sacrifice involved, I respectfully refuse to reproduce.
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: Obama Is Hitting a Sophomore Slump in the Muslim World →
Nothing sets a rock star up for failure quite like a killer debut album. And President Obama’s debut in the Muslim world seventeen months ago set the bar sky-high. In Cairo, where he gave his first speech aimed at reaching out to Muslims around the world, he came off as an undeniable rock star. So much of the global Muslim community was hypnotized by his rhythm, charisma and harmony.
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: A Muslim’s Defense of Geert Wilders →
As an independent Muslim woman who doesn’t appreciate being told what to do, say, wear, read or write, I have a special place in my heart filled with disgust for those who embrace the bigoted ideologies of Islamophobes like Dutch parliamentarian Geert Wilders. But as an outspoken writer and attorney, I also have a special — and much larger — place in my heart filled with respect and adoration for human liberty.
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: Better Muslim Than Gay →
Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about how much my people are under attack in America today. The thing is, though, as an American Muslim, I don’t really feel under attack. Annoyed? Sure. But attacked? No.
Read MoreMs. Magazine: Better Muslim Than Gay →
Lately I’ve been hearing a lot about how much my people are under attack in America today. The thing is, though, as an American Muslim, I don’t really feel under attack. Annoyed? Sure. But attacked? No.
Read MoreCNN: Embracing life after suicide attempt →
From the moment I was admitted to my first psychiatric ward, I was desperate to get out. I hated the smell, the food, most of the staff, the routines, the magazines. I hated the sagging mattresses, the glassless funhouse mirrors, the furniture, the isolation rooms. But as much as I despised the place, there was one saving grace for me there: the other patients.
Read MoreCNN: Debates Over Proposed Islamic Center Near Ground Zero Continues →
And joining mere here in Atlanta, Melody Moezzi. She's the executive director of the non-profit group "100 People of Faith." Good to see all of you. She's also the author of "War on Error, Real Stories of American Muslims." I thought that was the typo. Sorry about that. Welcome to all of you.
Read MoreThe Huffington Post: A Plea to Ignore the Ignorant →
Having no interest in giving a misguided, self-proclaimed “Christian” pastor in Florida any more media attention than he has already received, I sincerely debated whether or not to write anything about his ridiculous plans to burn a bunch of Qurans this September 11.
Read MoreMs. Magazine: State Department Dining, Muslimah Style →
I recently accepted an invitation to attend a dinner at the State Department hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in honor of the holy month ofRamadan. The dinner itself, which takes place on Tuesday, September 7, is a formal iftar—the meal eaten every evening after sunset when Muslims break the fast during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This iftar is a welcome and gracious gesture by our government to honor and respect this sacred time of year for all Muslims.
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