Sikander Hayat's America

The love affair between certain segments of the Confederacy and Donald Trump , the 45th President of the United States , is a complex phenomenon that intertwines historical, cultural, and political factors. This blog aims to explore the reasons behind the affinity some individuals in former Confederate states developed for Trump , examining how his policies, rhetoric, and persona resonated with certain aspects of their identities. The legacy of the Confederacy and its Civil War history continues to influence some individuals in former Confederate states. For some, Trump 's " Make America Great Again " slogan might have stirred sentiments of nostalgia, harking back to an era they perceive as a time of greater prosperity and traditional values. This historical resonance could be seen as an appeal to a lost past, which Trump implicitly promised to restore during his campaign. The Confederacy' s love affair with Trump can be linked to cultural conservatism . Many resid

Donald Trump 's presidency evoked strong reactions from various groups within the United States , and American Muslims were no exception. From his controversial statements on the campaign trail to his policies while in office, Trump 's relationship with American Muslims has been a topic of significant discussion and debate. This blog aims to explore the multifaceted nature of Trum p's engagement with the American Muslim community, highlighting key moments and policies that shaped this complex relationship. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump made several controversial statements regarding Muslims , which ignited concerns and fears within the American Muslim community. One of the most significant moments was his call for a "total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States" in the aftermath of the San Bernardino shooting. While Trump 's supporters viewed these statements as a bold stance on national security , many Americ

Only hours after news broke that a suspect in a mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., had a Muslim name, the well-practiced organizations that represent American Muslims to the broader public kicked into action, as they routinely do after each terrorist attack attributed to Muslim extremists. They issued news releases condemning the attacks as inhuman and un-Islamic, posted expressions of grief on Facebook and held news conferences in which Muslim leaders stood flanked by American flags alongside clergy of other faiths and law enforcement officials. “Groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda,” Salam al-Marayati, president of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, said at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday, “are trying to divide our society and to terrorize us. Our message to them is we will not be terrorized and we will not be intimidated,” either by the terrorists or, he said, “by hatemongers who exploit the fear and hysteria that results from incidents like this.” But the messa

When I was writing this piece for Layali Webzine, I was asked by one of its editors on whether or not I was afraid as a Muslim American in the wake of so many tragedies around the world. I had to take a second to think about it. It wasn't a simple yes or no answer. I looked back at the 27 years of being Muslim in America and being able to practice my faith in this country, my country. I thought of the many times I was able to pray in public without fear. The day I chose to wear the hijab in fourth grade, despite my parents' hesitation, I knew I would be supported by loving neighbors, classmates and friends. My faith has always been the foundation of my identity. My character. My style. The hijab has never been just a piece of fabric on my head, but it was and still is me. Read the full story here.  HOME

AMERICA faces another bitter and almost certainly fruitless debate about gun control, violent crime, the assimilation of Muslims and even the sincerity of politicians’ public prayers, following a mass shooting in San Bernardino, a working-class city deep in the California desert, 60 miles east of Los Angeles, on December 2nd. The attacks left 14 people dead and wounded at least 17, making it the nation’s deadliest mass shooting since the massacre almost three years ago at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. The shooting began around 11am, after two attackers entered a holiday party for county health workers in black masks and tactical gear. After a car chase in the afternoon, the police killed both suspects. Read the Full story here  HOME