Here’s what one Muslim thinks about practicing Shariah law in America

BY ROSE HAMID Guest column CHARLOTTE OBSERVER March 4, 2017 Watching the “I am a Muslim, Too” rally on Feb 19 in Time Square was inspirational. I’ve been touched by the outpouring of support for the Muslim Community. However, in Kernersville, NC recently there was a chilling reminder of the fear and hate that exists. As reported and recorded by Jordan Green with the Triad City Beat, a meeting was held to hear a presentation on a “supposed Muslim plot to conquer the United States” by ...
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Thrown out of Trump rally, she explains what it’s like to be Muslim under Trump presidency

BY ROSE HAMID Guest column Rev. Chris Ayers, pastor of Wedgewood Church in Charlotte, asked me to speak at his church about what it’s like to be a Muslim American under a Donald Trump presidency. These are some excerpts: A year ago, I, with eight others, stood in silent protest against the concept of hate-speech at a Trump rally and we were asked to leave. Rose Hamid, center, stands in silence as Donald Trump speaks of radical Islam and terrorism during the Donald J. Trump f...
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Understanding God: How Muslims look at the story of Adam and Eve

BY ROSE HAMID Guest column Jan. 5, 2017  I’ve been told that Muslims don’t worship “the same god’ as others do, which doesn’t make sense to me because it implies that there is more than one god. I think a better way to say it is that we don’t all understand God in the same way. Islam teaches that Adam and Eve disobeyed God, repented, asked for forgiveness and God forgave them. They had to suffer the consequences of their actions by living a mortal life on earth, but their re...
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For Praying Outloud (Charlotte Observer and Huffington Post)

Muslim prayer: Remembering and connecting with God 5 times a day By Rose Hamid Charlotte Observer NOVEMBER 16, 2016 10:23 AM Huffington Post 11/23/2016 Recently the subject of praying in public has been in the news. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals decided to hear a case concerning the constitutionality of Rowan county commissioners opening meetings with a prayer. As a Muslim, I’m all for praying whenever possible. Prayers are remembrances and communications with God. Muslims remember...
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Listen Up!

Listen up! Huffington Post Oct. 17, 2016 By Rose Hamid October 21st is World Day of Listening. The Wold Day of Listening website states: “We are Listeners from around the world, representing many traditions, professions, and walks of life - working together to offer peaceful, non-confrontational listening, free of charge and without advice, judgement, argument or interpretation. We are non-partisan and non-promotional.” Listening is the key to helping our community and our world overcome ...
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“…I’ve got all my Sisters with me”

A sisterhood that knows no boundaries Charlotte Observer Sept 14, 2016 By Rose Hamid Sisterhood is a precious thing.  I’m lucky to have 3 sisters (and a brother) who are in constant communication with each other even though we are far apart.  We share the minutiae of our days, our frustrations with work/family/diets, funny anecdotes, and happenings with the rest of the family. We know we can count on each other when needed. We have different strengths and talents and when we come tog...
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Huffington Post – What’s a Muslim to do after attending the RNC and DNC

There were some stark differences between the Republican National Convention in Cleveland and the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. The Salam, I Come in Peace project was an effort to distribute flower pens in Cleveland, during the RNC, in order to create opportunities for Muslims to interact with delegates and ease fears about Islam and Muslims. My expectations were framed by my experiences at the DNC when it was in Charlotte, NC in 2012. The actual televised convent...
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Huffington Post – Spreading Peace at the Republican Convention

Huffington Post August 3, 2016 By Rose Hamid Rose Hamid with a Republican Delegate at the RNC (Photo by Samir Hamid) I went to Cleveland during the Republican convention to try to connect with delegates face to face and give a positive impression about Islam and Muslims. Our tactic was to say “Have a nice day” and hand folks a cute flower pen. While some recoiled and said “No”, we didn’t take it personally because there were lots of people handing out all kinds of things and it w...
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Do all Republicans Hate Muslims? I Don’t Think So, Here’s why….

Huffington Post, July 12, 2016 Charlotte Observer, July 16, 2016 By Rose Hamid In January friends of mine invited me to attend a silent protest at a Republican political rally. I’m not very politically active; my interests lie more in interfaith activities and building bridges between people who are different. My friend enticed me to go because her main purpose was to take part in a silent protest against hate speech. That appealed to me because it seems that politics has become more...
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Franklin Graham misstates Muslim beliefs

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER - VIEWPOINT JUNE 18, 2016 1:40 PM Franklin Graham misstates Muslim beliefs HIGHLIGHTS: After Orlando, Graham said the shooter was following the teaching of the Quran That’s not true; the Quran prohibits such heinous actions But Graham has a history of twisting what the true teachings of Islam are BY ROSE HAMID Special to the Observer Reverend Franklin Graham, Can we talk? You seem to have confused the horrific actions of some who claim to practice I...
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