Omer AzizReading Towards Creation (and the Top 10 Books I read in 2019)In 2019, I read 39 books. There is something symmetrical about that number, but that’s probably just me, eyes-strained, in an excitable…8 min read·Dec 31, 2019--2--2
Omer AzizHow to Read a Book (and the Top 10 Books I read in 2018)One December, in the twilight years of adolescence, I was to encounter a strange man who would, in the breath of a single sentence, change…8 min read·Dec 31, 2018----
Omer AzizThe Year of Reading Dangerously (And the Top 10 Books I Read in 2017)Last year, I recounted why reading was important to me. At its core, reading was a method of illumination, a process of enlightening the…13 min read·Dec 30, 2017--1--1
Omer AzizAmerica is Still a Place Called HopeAmid darkness, we must create light. Amid chaos, we must create peace.6 min read·Jan 21, 2017----
Omer AzizWhat Reading Means to Me (And the Top 10 Books I Read in 2016)Last December, I set myself the goal of reading 52 books in 2016. It was a tough challenge to meet — roughly one book per week, and on top…15 min read·Dec 29, 2016--3--3
Omer AzizPart VIII: Christianity, Ben Carson, Noam ChomskyIn the final part of our debate, we discuss Christianity and Noam Chomsky among other issues. For me, this is the most revealing part of…18 min read·Apr 4, 2016--2--2
Omer AzizPart VII: Free Speech, Cartoons, and “Supposedly Thin-Skinned Muslims”In Part VII of our debate, we continue talking about free speech and “supposedly thin-skinned Muslims.” How do most religious people deal…13 min read·Apr 4, 2016----
Omer AzizPart VI: Reformers, Foreign Policy, “Collateral Damage,” and the Iraq WarIn Part VI of our debate, we get into the meat of foreign policy issues that help explain the rise of Islamism and terrorism.24 min read·Apr 4, 2016----
Omer AzizPart V: ISIS, Islamic Reform, History, and Being Quoted out of ContextIn Part V, we go over a breadth of topics ranging from Islamic history to the question of being quoted out of context. One of the first…23 min read·Apr 4, 2016--1--1
Omer AzizPart IV: Interpretation, Polls, and TakfirIn Part IV, we continue the substantive portion of our discussion by looking at varying interpretations and polls. Over-focusing on polls…9 min read·Apr 4, 2016----