Our Story

How we started

First my story

I grew up in uptown New Orleans before settling in a section known as the “7th Ward.”   I was raised in this Afro Creole,  Spanish, French city of rich culture and diversity.   As you might know, New Orleans is a strong Catholic city, home to the largest  African American Catholic population in the United States.   Not a place to start a totally unique Muslim perspective publication (by a native)

Why we started Iqra

September 11, 2001 changed everything.  More and more Americans from all walks of life embraced this religion.   Many Americans viewed Islam, and Muslims  with a great deal of suspicion.    I believe primarily because Americans viewed Islam as an Arab religion, knowing very little about its diversity.  There has always been this idea that most Blacks were a part of the Nation of Islam.  (more orientated towards social-political & Black Nationalism, as a response to the overt racism of earlier years) 

What many Americans failed to realized is the enormous diverse make up of the followers of Islam.  Like blind sheep, they bit every morsel of disinformation from the pulpits to the media.   A great deal of the Muslims in America are home born.  Contrary to what many believe, Arabs are not the dominate group.   Indonesian, Chinese and Indians make up the majority of Muslims world wide. 

Often times the various ethnic groups become segmented into their own Muslim communities when they settle in the U.S.  Quite naturally there will be conflicts, mainly because of cultural differences. 

My goal was to create a paper based purely on the commonality of the Islamic faith, with the hopes of bring people together, celebrating the beauty of the Islam, its culture, history and the diversity of its followers.  I wanted a tool to combat the negative images of Islam in the media. 

spin on I received a telephone call from a friend one Saturday morning warning me about the approaching hurricane.  I thought to myself “another hurricane warning, here we go again.”  I checked the news and just in a moment’s notice I was on the road leaving my city of birth, only  taking a computer, a bundle of Iqra! Newspapers, a duffle bag, and the clothes on my back.  Never in my wildest dreams  could  I have imagined New Orleans under water for weeks, with floating bodies in familiar places.  

I watched the news in horror from a community of Muslim students near LSU in Baton Rouge.   Just a  few days after the Hurricane struck,  and the levies collapsed,  I was on my way to Houston, Texas.  I never dreamed this ordeal would leave me homeless and utterly bewildered.

My faith carried me through this journey, and I am happy to say that Iqra! Newspaper has withstood this enormous challenge despite the delays, and limitations.

Iqra’s Story

Iqra! was the first of its kind in the Crescent City,  so naturally it received attention.   I remember the look on a reporter’s face (from a local NBC affiliate) after giving her a copy of the newspaper.  She asked “is this  paper  produced here in New Orleans? “ I said “yes, right here in New Orleans” She said  “I never would have expected such a paper to be produced in New Orleans.  Let me show this to my boss,  I am sure she will want an  interview as soon as possible.”  I went into panic mood with the thought of being on television representing the Islamic faith at this young stage in my new faith.  She interviewed me at our printer’s facility within days.   Some viewers thought the on location interview was actually my office.  I didn’t mind.   It was a wonderful experience.

I remember walking into the masjid after the interview wondering if anyone had seen the news.  I was immediately approached by a few sisters. Large smiles and complements were what I received from well wishers who had seen the interview.   It was a huge relief.

I wanted to send a message  from the heart, telling viewer  Muslims are normal people who want the best for their families, and communities.  Branding Muslims as terrorist is a disgraceful trend that needs to end.   The doors of communication with Muslims should open for the betterment of the entire community regardless of one’s faith.  

Contrary to what many think, I believe a growing number of American people want to fully understanding Islam and the conflicts in the Middle East (especially after 9/11) .  Every Muslim community should have some  kind of tool  that brings people together,  bridging  the gaps, and fostering  more understanding and dialog.

A few Christian leaders came to us.  These good people were sincere in their quest to understand Muslims and the true teachings of Islam.     This was a positive starting point. 

As Muslims in the media we need to  constantly challenge the propaganda which today is the wedge that divides people, and  the reason why so many have a distorted view of Islam in the first place.

Another reason I started Iqra! was because I grew tired angry and frustrated with hearing fake  conservatives  bash Islam, and Muslims .  Muslims were all lumped into one category  with the assumption that most were Arabs, and terrorist.  Radio shock jocks flood the airwaves with their  venomous stew of Islamaphobia.    I personally felt like they attempted to put our identity as  Muslims,  our integrity, and  humanity in question.  Muslim were always expected to prove their patriotism, especially after 9/11.  As a Muslim American, I never tried to past their patriot litmus test put forward by folks  with such narrow minded views.  There was nothing patriot about knocking down one’s religion.

I heard many people in the media ask "where are the moderate Muslims?"  "Why don't they speak out against terrorism."   I wanted to ask them “where are the true America Patriots why don’t they speak out against the war, against the trans Texas corridor, against the harmful effects of NAFTA, the tyranny in Abu Ghraib,  against the Iraqi people, the kind that sends young men and women to war on false pretense, the kind forces  young soldiers to fight for oil. 

While fingers were  constantly pointed at Muslims,  the American people began to fear the Muslim people, they began to question Islam, and look for answers while their constitution was dismantled bit by bit because of new 1984 style laws. 

I am an  Muslim American who deeply desires to work on promoting dialog, and understanding of Islam.  I feel more Americans need to know that  Muslims are like any other people.  They want work hard to support their families, and desire a  peaceful existence in their communities.  Muslims like any other American, would like to practice their religion freely. 

Our motto is “We strive to help the world gain a better understanding of Muslims and Islam - and to help Muslims better understand the world.  We all breathe the same air we are our brothers’ keeper, and  are all caretakers of  planet earth. 

KAS

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