“The opposite of ‘racist’ isn’t ‘not racist.’ It is ‘antiracist.’” 

Ibram X. Kendi, professor, writer, and activist

In 1976, with the permission of Allah, I accepted Islam as my new way of life. Although it was the core belief of Tawheed (the oneness, indivisibility, and uniqueness of Allah) that compelled me to convert, at the time, I had slight reservations about the lifestyle attached to Islam.

With the coming of the new year, many of us set about thinking and making resolutions for ourselves. These vary from individual to individual, depending upon personal preferences and priorities.

Allah has decreed that our purpose in life is to worship Him. It is for this reason that He created us. We take for granted that everyone knows what this means, but for a young child, the abstract concept of purpose may be baffling.

As we enter a new year, many of us are striving to make meaningful resolutions for 2023. “Living a life of purpose” is a common aspiration, but what exactly does that mean for a Muslim? It is easy to get caught up in the goals of the dunya, the worldly life.

What is the purpose of life? This is a question that humankind has grappled with since ancient times. Those who have never learned about the Islamic faith would be stunned to know that Muslims have the answer.

The service component of the MLK Jr. Day federal holiday is often overlooked. For far too many Americans, it is simply a day off work or out of school. But the significance of the “service” that Americans are encouraged to do on that day should be understood and valued.