Origins

There is a galactic civil war happening between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance. The former is fighting to maintain hegemony while the latter fights to restore the Republic, said to have existed for over 25,000 years prior to the rise of the Empire. To explain its raison d’être, the Rebel Alliance details the Empire’s record of crimes in its founding document, the Declaration of Rebellion:

“The history of the present Galactic Empire is of repeated injuries upon its members, with the direct objective of establishing you, Emperor Palpatine, as absolute tyrant over the Galaxy:

1. You have disbanded the…

I saw the news about George Floyd’s lynching when I woke up this morning for the dawn prayer. My initial reaction to lynchings has generally followed the same pattern. Shock. Numbness. Anger. Despair. Prayer. Resolve. More anger. More despair. An impossible hope. Hearing about lynchings from abroad, however, has changed how I process and respond to news of Black death. I imagine it to be somewhat similar to how immigrants respond when they hear about violence and corruption in their home countries. They grieve for and with their people. They do whatever they can to help ease their suffering like…

A Ramadan Interfaith Meditation

“In the church in which I was raised, you were supposed to bear witness to the truth…I am witness to whence I came, where I am. Witness to what I’ve seen and the possibilities that I think I see.”

— James Baldwin

This is part 4 of a weekly Ramadan reflection series. Make sure to check out part 1, part 2, and part 3.

“O you who believe, stand out firmly for justice and testify to what you may have witnessed, for the sake of God, even against yourselves, parents, and relatives; whether it be against the rich or the…

This is part 3 of a weekly Ramadan reflection series. Make sure to check out both part 1 and part 2.

After over a decade of violent persecution, the early Muslims fled to Medina as refugees — according to the decree of God. This is a major event in Islamic history, which marks the beginning of our calendar. In Arabic, it is called, الحجر (the hijra). A common translation is “migration”. However, the word literally means “to debar or deny access” or “to confine (as a protective measure).” The word quarantine in Arabic is الحجر الصحي (al hijra al sihiyu)…

We arrived in Cordoba after sunset. It was December, so we had layered in anticipation of the cool Spanish evenings. Our Airbnb host prearranged transportation for us to our flat. The driver was a handsome local, who spoke very little English. Aidah and I had enough high school Spanish to make out what he was saying. When we couldn’t make out something, he would sprinkle in English words to aid our comprehension.

After about a fifteen-minute drive, we parked in a garage not far from the flat and unloaded our bags. As we approached the elevator, our driver directed our…

I grew up going to church. Though I didn’t like waking up early, I do have fond memories of getting dressed up for Easter Sunday service. It was a festive occasion with all the children — and adults — on their best behavior. Then there was the attire. Beautiful white dresses, two-piece suits, and hats too large to wear while driving. Everyone was dressed to impress, their Lord, of course. One Easter when I was around ten…” I sang in the children’s choir. …

Healing the hardened hearts and fragmented Souls of Menfolk

Ain’t shed a tear since the old school years of elementary
— Tupac Shakur

Verily, tears are a mercy that Allah has placed in the hearts of His servants.

— Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Putting in Work

I can probably count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen my stepfather cry. The first time I can recall was at his father’s funeral. I was an undergraduate student at UNCG at the time. Seeing him weep stirred something in me because I had been so used to him being either angry…

I started a new Medium series called “Memoirs in Self Exile.” It’s intended to be a public journal of sorts for those who are invested in my new journey in the Middle East or just curious to tag along on occasion.

I dedicate this series to all diaspora communities — particularly the African and Palestinian diasporas. We are more alike than we know. May we return to our homelands liberated in mind, body, and spirit.

So make your way over there now to read my first entry, comment, and subscribe for future updates.

Love & light,

Stephen|Jamal