As presented in a startling report by Al Arabiya, the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi riveted audiences in his speech; however, not because the speech was so captivating, but because he ended up plagiarizing from the Palestinian poet Haroun Hashem Rashid.

I remember once collecting for Charity Week with another sister a few years ago at university and observing the countenance of a woman as she walked pass reading my t-shirt. As soon as she saw the word ‘Islamic’, the expression on her face turned into one of horror and disgust as she walked away from us even faster than she was at the time. Whenever I look back on that, I think about WHY she did that.

Georgetown University is sponsoring a program for American religious scholars and Islamic students to better understand one another's faiths.

“Change cannot happen overnight,” said President Barack Obama in Cairo on June 4, 2009 as he addressed the Muslim world (wherever that is) in what was regarded as a historical speech and a monumental change from Bush diplomacy. One year later, he is facing criticism of unaccomplished goals, unfulfilled promises and a reversion back to a policy of full throttle support for the state of Israel. Read More

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has telephoned Washington to allay concerns about a speech in which he criticised Western involvement in his country.

Mr Karzai accused foreign officials in Kabul on Thursday of seeking to weaken him and his government. The White House said his comments were "troubling".

While modern Western civilization shares many of these traits, the civilization I’m talking about was the Islamic world from the year 800 to 1600, which included the Ottoman Empire and the courts of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo, and enlightened rulers like Suleiman the Magnificent.

Although we are often unaware of our indebtedness to this other civilization, its gifts are very much a part of our heritage. The technology industry would not exist without the contributions of Arab mathematicians. Sufi poet-philosophers like Rumi challenged our notions of self and truth. Leaders like Suleiman contributed to our notions of tolerance and civic leadership.

And perhaps we can learn a lesson from his example: It was leadership based on meritocracy, not inheritance. It was leadership that harnessed the full capabilities of a very diverse population–that included Christianity, Islamic, and Jewish traditions.

This kind of enlightened leadership — leadership that nurtured culture, sustainability, diversity and courage — led to 800 years of invention and prosperity.

taken from a speech by Rhonda Ragab and Aslam Akhtar`Umar ibn al-Khattab (radi Allahu `anhu - may Allah be pleased with him) said, “Criticize and appraise yourselves before you are criticized and appraised on the Day of Judgment, and weigh out your deeds, before they are weighed out for you.”What are my weaknesses?How many times [...]

A speech by Yasir Qadhi delivered at the 2009 Journey of Faith during the July 4th weekend.

I saw this on Egyptian Gumbo’s blog and I had to post it. May Allah increase Mona Minkara and continue to bless her.Part 1:Part 2:

"A New Beginning" The President gives a speech in Cairo, Egypt, outlining his personal commitment to engagement with the Muslim world, based upon mutual interests and mutual respect....