Change the Story

Working on a new Change the Story for 2014

Thanks to the generosity of Intersections International, Hussein Rashid now owns and maintains Change the Story. 

The site will continue to show the engagement of American Muslims in the national history of America. However, it is now an all volunteer organization and will begin a slow transformation over 2014. Please stay with us and check-in often.

Stop Islamophobia? Know that #BlackLivesMatter — Medium

Stop Islamophobia? Know that #BlackLivesMatter — Medium.

Islamophobia is yet another ongoing manifestation of our inability as a nation to recognize that Black Lives Matter. We accept that there are, in practice, gradations of being American, and as long as we can easily penalize a people based on the color of their skin, we can do so to anyone we find different than what we perceive as American.

An American Muslim’s prayer: Forget love, let’s just be civil (COMMENTARY) - The Washington Post

An American Muslim’s prayer: Forget love, let’s just be civil (COMMENTARY) - The Washington Post.

Love is a nice sentiment. Real love, though, is work. I can have love in my heart, but to love someone is to know that person. It means having compassion and empathy, and being engaged. You and the person you love have to commit to each other. 

 But I do not know you enough to love you, and I do not want to have to get to know you that well. It is too much work.

 I do appreciate the idea. I know it is coming from a good place. It just makes me carry the pressure of fixing someone else’s problem. It tires me.

A Busy Church Month

In January 2016, I was blessed to be invited to share the pulpit at two Collegiate churches in New York City.

The first was Marble Collegiate Church, as part of their annual Trialogue amongst the Abrahamic traditions.

January 10, 2016 Three Faiths, One Family from Marble Collegiate Church on Vimeo.

Hosted by Dr. Michael B. Brown
Rabbi Ayelet Cohen, Rev. Robert Chase and Dr. Hussein Rashid

On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I was hosted by Middle Collegiate Church, where I spoke about Islamophobia and #BlackLivesMatter

“Body Politics” :: Jan 17 @middlechurch from Middle Collegiate Church on Vimeo.

“Body Politics”
Jacqui Lewis and Hussein Rashid

AJAM Appearance | How "Islamic" is ISIL?

Muslim Americans speak out: What it's like to live in the US today

My appearance on the Today show about being Muslim in America.

 

Sacred Matters | The Muppets are America

Sacred Matters | The Muppets are America.

The Muppets offered us biting social commentary when their show began nearly forty years ago. Now, with their videos, they are showing us an antidote to the xenophobia infecting our political and popular discourses. In their videos, they are offering a hopeful and positive vision of America, which includes all of the people living in it — divorced, gay, Muslim, black, etc. — a message that will hopefully be even more explicit in their show.

Terror in Paris: The Muslim Community Responds - The Takeaway

Terror in Paris: The Muslim Community Responds - The Takeaway.

Over the last year, Muslim refugees fleeing the brutality of war in Iraq and Syria have sought asylum in a number of Western European countries, including France. But many lifelong French citizens are Muslim—the Muslim nation of Algeria was actually part of France in the 20th century. 

 Hussein Rashid, a professor of religion at Hofstra University, explains how the Muslim community is responding to these attacks.

Should we call them ‘ISIS’ or ‘Da’esh’? Hussein Rashid answers that and more with Amy Guth | WGN Radio - 720 AM

Should we call them ‘ISIS’ or ‘Da’esh’? Hussein Rashid answers that and more with Amy Guth | WGN Radio - 720 AM.

Truman National Security fellow and Hofstra University Department of Religion faculty member Hussein Rashid, PhD, joined Guth to talk about the implications of acts of terror, the rise of Islamophobia, and why it matters if we say ‘ISIS’ versus ‘Da’esh.’

Podcast link.

Muslim Teen’s Arrest In Texas Over Homemade Clock Sparks Outrage

Muslim Teen’s Arrest In Texas Over Homemade Clock Sparks Outrage | Long Island News from the Long Island Press.

Dr. Hussein Rashid, an adjunct assistant professor of religion at Hofstra University and founder of the consultancy group islamicate, L3C, which focuses on religious literacy and cultural competency, began laughing when he was asked about Ahmed’s arrest.

Muslim Teen’s Arrest In Texas Over Homemade Clock Sparks Outrage | Long Island News from the Long Island Press

Muslim Teen’s Arrest In Texas Over Homemade Clock Sparks Outrage | Long Island News from the Long Island Press.

Dr. Hussein Rashid, an adjunct assistant professor of religion at Hofstra University and founder of the consultancy group islamicate, L3C, which focuses on religious literacy and cultural competency, began laughing when he was asked about Ahmed’s arrest. “I’m utterly flabbergasted,” said Rashid. “You got to think about the multiple failures that had to happen here, right? A student who wants to prove he’s good in science goes to his teacher and says, ‘I am a good student.'”