African American perception of the Last Prophet
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Adilah S. Muhammad

As an African American Muslim woman, I have always been conscious about the difference between how I have come to view Islam as opposed to others who have come other cultural traditions. 

"American Muslim Women: Negotiating Race, Class, and Gender Within the Ummah"
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Adilah S. Muhammad

The concept of Muslim brotherhood and sisterhood is one that rests in the collective consciousness of Muslims the world over.  In theory, this unity is perceived as a natural and logical by-product of the fundamental Islamic concept of Tawhid (belief in the Oneness and indivisibility of Allah).

The New Villains of Hollywood
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / From the Editor

After the Danish Cartoon crisis in 2005 many right wing and Islamophobic campaigns started to rear their ugly heads. Attacks on mosques, the minaret ban in Switzerland, the recent face-veil/burqa bans in Italy and Belgium and the fact that other places..

Super-Muslim-man
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / From the Editor

Superman, Batman, X-Men... There is probably no one in the world who hasn't heard of these superheroes. While watching them, we may admire such heroes, who have, in some way, shape or form, been a part of our lives, regardless of how culturally or religiously undesirable they may have been.

Being a part of an Umma
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / From the Editor

What is the feeling that makes one feel part of the Muslim ummah? What brings about this feeling, a feeling which eliminates excludes all unnecessary attachments and makes one feel a part of a whole, leaving all appendages such as race, culture, income, etc. irrelevant?

Stopping in Time
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

Final check.  Okay got a red light. Plug it in. Trring... green light flashing... Trring Trring.  It just never seems to stop.  It's late, and he's had enough.  Finally, he let's his weary head rest on the pillow deciding to ignore the incoming emails on his work cell phone. 

The Final Countdown
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

The first snows have fallen on the mountaintops.  Cold winds have started to blow.  Sweaters and coats have been pulled out and little by little put to use again.  The leaves have turned green to gold and snapped loose by the torrents of icy gusts.

The Best News
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

When I arrived at the class, some students had already taken their seats.  Finding an empty place near the front next to a seat someone had saved with her jacket, I sat down.  A short time later, an elder lady came in and sat beside me, introduced herself, and...

Five Little Fingers
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

It had been a warm summer day in Istanbul when we arrived at the home of a family we had long wanted to visit.  It was late afternoon.  Stepping onto the patio of their ground floor condominium, we were greeted by an open door in anticipation of our arrival...

Keeping in Touch
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

It had been a long week already, and it was only Wednesday.  I was exhausted.  But for a long time, I had been trying to arrange for some activity that my teenage daughter and I could do together.  When she accepted to start English riding lessons...

Make Up For That
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

From the time my church banned the wearing of make-up, its purpose and uses have been a topic of reflection for me.  Why do women wear make-up?  "Make-up" is an interesting word indeed calling to mind fantasy and some sort of enhancement. 

Consider the Source
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

Tenth grade debate class was the first time I ever reflected upon the significance of the source of news.  Our teacher was having us prepare cases for an upcoming debate competition when he emphasized that we use credible sources to establish our arguments.

Taking it to Heart
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

The purple ring... that was the favorite her stackable toys as a toddler.  Her parents gave her everything they could to enrich her life and ensure that she mentally and physically developed as rapidly as possible.

Why Risk It?
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

 love you and want to trust you completely.  I don't want any doubt in my heart about you.  I know you love Allah and want to please Him.  But don't you realize that if you lie all that is jeopardized?

Building Human Beings
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

It was a small white frame house with a huge back yard and five ancient, towering pecan trees that lined the outside of its semi-circular drive.  From the road, one could see the entrance of the building behind the trees.

A Name to Remember
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

When my daughter was a year old, it became very clear that I would not be able to satisfy her companionship needs. She needed someone whose only responsibility was to play with her. She needed a sibling. It was wonderful when my husband and...

Lost Hopes
Lastprophet.Info / Writers' Articles / Najla T. Ilhan

Slowly I climbed the steep hill toward my destination.  Reaching the place where I was to turn, I paused for a moment to catch my breath.  The subtle morning breeze caused the edge of my scarf to flutter as it cooled and refreshed me.