I’m a Muslim and I want the Republican National Convention to come to Charlotte

BY ROSE HAMID - SPECIAL TO THE OBSERVER EDITORIAL BOARD July 12, 2018 11:32 AM Updated July 12, 2018 11:32 AM As a Muslim who went to Cleveland during the Republican National Convention in 2016, I think Charlotte should continue to pursue its bid to host the convention in 2020. My decision to go to Cleveland stemmed from my experience at a Trump rally in January 2016. I had attended the rally with a group of people to stand in silent protest against the use of hate speech and we we...
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Can Islam offer solutions to #metoo problems?

There’s been a lot of outrage recently over revelations of sexual harassment and sexual assault. My question is, why has it taken so long for people to be outraged by such behavior? The programs and movies I grew up with reveal what some considered to be “acceptable” behaviors towards women. From Pepe le Pew, the over-amorous cartoon skunk, chasing a feline, to secretary-chasing executives in 1960’s movies like The Apartment (a comedy about executives sharing a place used for trysts), the messa...
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This Muslim recommends putting Christ back in Christmas

There’s been a lot of talk recently about the desire to put Christ back in Christmas. As a Muslim, I fully support the idea that religious observances should focus on their intended purpose.  Many times cultural traditions end up becoming more important than teachings of the faith, especially if the majority is of a similar faith.  Unfortunately, cultural traditions can become so entwined with religious observances that it becomes difficult to separate them and focus on what the faith teaches....
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I see hope on the horizon for San Juan

As a flight attendant who speaks Spanish, I work flights to San Juan Puerto Rico regularly, and I’m horrified to see the destruction and aftermath Hurricane Maria caused. But I’m heartened to see so many who mobilized to help. For a limited time, my airline allowed employees to send cargo and generators to family and friends, free of charge. Employees from all departments worked together to ship over 800,000 pounds of supplies to San Juan over a one week period. Since that time people...
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What hurricanes teach us about being welcoming

During this treacherous hurricane season I’ve seen some wonderful gestures from all kinds of organizations and people offering to welcome evacuees getting out of the path of hurricanes. As hurricanes approach people have to decide if they will evacuate or stay put. What would you do if you were told you had to evacuate? Would you go? You’d only be able to take what you could carry, what would you take with you, knowing that what you leave behind will probably be lost? Much to my d...
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through faith, we find strength in offering care to our parents

Recently, I visited family in Palestine. My mother-in-law has a few physical issues, but dementia has really taken its toll. She recognizes those she sees regularly, but has a hard time remembering others. She continuously introduces herself to my children and me, but extraordinarily, she remembers that we speak English and she uses the few English words she knows when talking to us. Although she has a home of her own, she is blessed that one of her sons lives upstairs with his wife and 5 c...
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Celebrating Ramadan in Cuba

Ramadan in Cuba is a really special thing. Yes, in Cuba! Some background: While planning a trip to Cuba with my mother in January, I discovered there is a Mosque in Old Havana. Before going, I made contact with Brother Aqill, an admin of the “Liga Islamica de Cuba” Facebook page who provided information about the mosque and its location. We found the mosque, Mezquita Abdallah (dedicated on June 17, 2015) on the pedestrian walkway of Calle Oficios near Plaza de Armas. As I entered I was ...
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Fashion show features Muslim women, others ‘Rocking that Hijab’

Recently, my work schedule allowed me to go to London to visit my nephew.  Serendipitously, I ran into a group of stylishly dressed Muslim women, from all over the world, in my hotel lobby. They were there for “London Modest Fashion Week” presented by Modanisa (a modest clothing shopping website from Turkey).  They graciously invited me to attend the fashion show, where a breathtaking variety of modest styles were showcased. Although the majority of those in attendance were Muslim, the fashi...
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My relationship with Jesus, as a Muslim

The sign in front of The Grove Presbyterian church in Charlotte, NC, read “We love our Muslim Neighbors”. I was so touched by Pastor Kate Murphy and her congregation that I contacted them to see if the Muslim community could show our appreciation by sponsoring one of their monthly community dinners. The next dinner ended up being on Maundy Thursday, a time when the church has a special service/dinner in memory of The Last Supper. The Charlotte Observer told the story on how we got toge...
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Muslims invite the community to feast on, learn about the ‘mighty whiting’

By Rose Hamid HUFFINGTON POST April 9, 2017 The Muslim Women of the Carolinas recently invited the Charlotte community to celebrate the Mighty Whiting. There is a meaningful and tasty history behind this fish Muslims in America have roots all over the world. The Muslim Women of the Carolinas, established in 1998, works to bring those diverse Muslims together to recognize that, although the teachings of Islam are the same, people in different parts of the world practice in a vari...
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