by Imam Imad Enchassi | Aug 30, 2021 | Opinion
Muslims, just like other minorities, rejoice at the election of people that look and pray like us. I remember when America elected our first Muslim congressman, Keith Ellison. I have met him many times and was happy to see him win in 2007. Then, we had Andre Carson...
by Imam Imad Enchassi | Aug 25, 2021 | Opinion
I am a refugee. On Oct. 23,1983, I held hope, in the form of a plane ticket, in my hand. This paper was what was going to help me flee Beirut and get to the United States. That same morning, a yellow Mercedes truck entered the parking lot of Beirut International...
by Imam Imad Enchassi | Aug 19, 2021 | Opinion
The Qur’an declares that “there is no compulsion in religion” (2:256). For the last three months, I have been in Lebanon, doing relief work and visiting family. I spent my summer in the same refugee camp, Sabra and Shatila, that I grew up in. My mother still lives...
by Imam Imad Enchassi | Jul 8, 2021 | Opinion
Preaching is difficult in an empty sanctuary. It’s even more difficult to get used to speaking to a screen and looking into a camera instead of faces. Seminary did not have a class on how to minister in a pandemic. Finding ways to connect to our faith communities...
by Imam Imad Enchassi | Jul 1, 2021 | Opinion
A young Jewish girl timidly walked up to the mosque and asked to speak with the imam. I was dressed in gym clothes and a cap doing yard work around the Islamic center. I guess I did not look the part. “I am the imam,” I said, laughing. She handed me an envelope with...
