31 Comments
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Deb Kelner, she/her's avatar

I’ve been so lucky to have had many friendships over the years with followers of Islam. During the first orange man’s term in office his “Muslim Ban” came just before my son’s final year of college and he worried for a Pakistani friend who typically would have returned home during the summer months. In preparation for his visit we visited an open house at our local Islamic center and were greeted with such warmth, hospitality and KNOWLEDGE. Like in most cultures, Americans tend to fear what they don’t know. Your new launch is timely and as ever, I am greatly appreciative. Thank you, with peace.

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Karen Rodgers's avatar

I've been following you around for several years, and I trust the things you share. Westerners in general are very uneducated about not only Islam, but also its role in history that touches each of u every day. I can't wait to learn from you!

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Josh's avatar

I abhor the scenes of violence and utter devastation from Gaza. I see children, mothers, fathers, families struggling to survive in horrid conditions. It is not right. I struggle with certain perspectives that I encounter when researching counter arguments for stopping the genocide.

The main question is, how do I argue the point that the Islamic faith contains a mandate for the extermination of Jews? Is there a struggle within Islam to change that narrative? Is this division truly hard baked into the religion? Within Gaza, is there a desire to expel Hamas?

I will say that I have often questioned why Muslims don’t just change their representation, their government, firmly DENY that they want to delete the Jews.

That thought was born in the naïveté of an American who has known nothing but our own system.

While we are finding out firsthand how tough it is to fight extremists in our own system and I better understand the challenges of changing a political system that has been compromised, I still compare to what I do see from people here who are standing up, speaking out.

I don’t know that I have ever seen Muslims consistently speaking out en masse against Hamas, or ISIS, Taliban, or others that seem to drive the anti-Semitism.

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Laura Durnell ♿️ ♀️'s avatar

Fantastic inaugural piece, Qasim.

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William Sanchez's avatar

I've greatly appreciated your human rights advocacy. Hope you see lots of success with Islam Today too because Let's Address This is one of my top 5 favorite Substacks!

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

I'm truly honored, William. Thank you. That means a lot to me.

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Kristin Davis's avatar

So grateful to have you as a trusted guide, Qasim. Your approach to sharing your knowledge with us is so beautiful. May we all co-create a more harmonious world together.

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Likewise grateful to you Kristin ❤️✊🏽

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Jennifer Carpenter's avatar

Thank you for this opportunity, I am here to listen and to learn.

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

I’m honored to for your sub and support, Jennifer. Thank you.

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Missi's avatar

I'm here to learn ❤️🍸

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Welcome!

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Missi's avatar

thank you! 🍸

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Hilary A.'s avatar

I was lucky enough to grow up in a college town and got to know several classmates from a variety of Muslim traditions including Black American Muslims, and Muslims whose families had immigrated from countries such as Nigeria and Malaysia.

I have a lot of respect for the Muslims I have known and I'm looking forward to learning more to learning more about Islam. Thank you for taking the time to help your audience learn more!

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Thank you, Hilary. I appreciate your support!

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Hilary A.'s avatar

Best of luck! I just signed up for an annual subscription and I hope you get plenty of support.

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

I’m deeply honored Hilary. Thank you!

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Joel Benson's avatar

I look forward to learning more and have appreciated your work and viewpoint. I have learned more about the Muslim faith via my son who in college focuses on Sufi mysticism and has learned to speak Arabic, and I look forward to now learning from you.

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Outstanding, Joel. Thank you!

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Lee Gilliland (He/Him)'s avatar

Excited that you chose to do this and looking forward to learning more about my Muslim brothers and sisters all around the world.

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Thank you, Lee. Grateful to have you here!

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progwoman's avatar

This is an excellent undertaking, Qasim. I recall those days after 9/11 when being Muslim was dangerous in New York (and probably many other places.) I made an effort to read about islam then as I did when Malcolm X was prominent, but I've never known anyone personally who was Muslim. Considering Islams prominence among the world's religions, I realize how odd it is to know so little. Thank you for offering this free, because I am way over-subscribed to vital sources like your first Substack.

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Thank you for your trust and your desire to continue to learn. Grateful to have you here. And yes, my writing here will never have a paywall to access my articles. Access is key.

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Salman Sajid's avatar

I’m here for it, too! Been waiting a while. Glad you arrived!

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Thank you for being our first paid subscriber!

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jtolbertjr's avatar

Congratulations on this! Looking forward to debunking the propaganda!

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Thank you!

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poonam pari's avatar

Qasim, I just wanted to say that I'm glad to be a free subscriber of Islam today! I'm here for it!

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Honored! Thank you.

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Salaam Bhatti's avatar

I'm here for it!

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Qasim Rashid, Esq.'s avatar

Thank you!

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