Category Archives: Community

Mary to the Rescue – How the Mother of Jesus saved the first Muslim Refugees

Posted on December 23, 2025 by zeynebsayilgan

Zeyneb Sayılgan, Ph.D. I return often to an important event from the very beginning of Islamic history, because it refuses to let me give in to despair. At a time when Muslim immigrants and refugees are routinely dehumanized and demonized … Continue reading →

Posted in Bediüzzaman-Said-Nursi, Community, God, Islam, Jesus, Mary, Prophet-Muhammad, Quran, Risale-i Nur | Tagged Bediüzzaman-Said-Nursi, Christianity, Faith, God, Islam, Jesus, Mary, Migration, Prophet-Muhammad, Quran, Religion, Risale-i Nur | Comments Off

Islamophobia in the Classroom: Memories of a Muslim Student

Posted on December 22, 2025 by zeynebsayilgan

by Zeyneb Sayılgan, Ph.D. Being bullied in school is a painful experience. When this injury is inflicted by teachers, though, it reaches another level. Your trust in adults who are supposed to nurture, guide and protect you is fundamentally shaken. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bediüzzaman-Said-Nursi, Community, God, Islam, Prophet-Muhammad, Quran, Risale-i Nur | Tagged Bediüzzaman-Said-Nursi, God, Hadith, History, Islam, Islamophobia, Malcolm X, politics, Prophet-Muhammad, Quran, Religion, Risale-i Nur | Comments Off

Pope Leo in Türkiye: Deepening Christian-Muslim Understanding

Posted on December 2, 2025 by zeynebsayilgan

Pope Leo is visiting Türkiye – a country I call home and to which I have taken many Christian students to explore our shared religious history. Of course, Nicea (modern day Iznik) is a must visit destination in that regard. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bediüzzaman-Said-Nursi, Community, Jesus, Mary, Prayer, Prophet-Muhammad, Quran | Tagged Islam, Religion | Comments Off

Nostra Aetate at 60 – A Muslim Reflects on its Enduring Call to Mutual Understanding

Posted on October 30, 2025 by zeynebsayilgan

Akdamar Church in Van – Türkiye I grew up as a Muslim child of immigrants in Germany in the beautiful city of Mainz. Surrounded by a rich Catholic culture, I often felt the weight of being seen as “other.” I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bediüzzaman-Said-Nursi, Community, God, Islam, Jesus, Mary, Prophet-Muhammad, Quran, Risale-i Nur | Tagged Christianity, Islam, Quran, Religion | Comments Off

Hajj 2025 – The Ancient United Nations Assembly

Posted on June 5, 2025 by zeynebsayilgan

The hajj – the pilgrimage season which is attended by almost three million Muslims every year – is around the corner. With people from around 180 countries, this sacred ritual of Islam remains the largest gathering of humanity to this … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, God, Hajj, Islam, Prophet-Muhammad | Tagged Community, God, Hajj, Islam, Pilgrimage, Prophet-Muhammad | Comments Off

World Happiness Report 2025: A Muslim Reflection

Posted on May 28, 2025 by zeynebsayilgan

Zeyneb Sayılgan, PhD My young daughter often asks me at bedtime about my favorite childhood memories. As I share them with her, I have come to realize they often involve other people. Playing outside in nature with the neighborhood children … Continue reading →

Posted in Bediüzzaman-Said-Nursi, Community, God, Islam, Quran | Tagged Bediüzzaman-Said-Nursi, Community, Faith, God, Happiness, Islam, Prophet-Muhammad, Quran, Religion | Comments Off

The Muslim Jesus: A Reflection During Easter

Posted on April 17, 2025 by zeynebsayilgan

Muslims love Jesus, something unknown to most non-Muslims. I know many Muslims who are named after ‘Isa—the Qur’anic name for Jesus. When remembering him and other messengers of God, Muslims pronounce the formula of reverence: “God’s peace be upon him … Continue reading →

Posted in Bediüzzaman-Said-Nursi, Community, God, Islam, Jesus, Mary, Quran, Risale-i Nur | Tagged Christianity, Faith, Islam, Jesus | Comments Off

Ramadan 2025: Nourishment for the Human Soul

Posted on February 27, 2025 by zeynebsayilgan

Ramadan is a time of spiritual growth and deep human connection, offering a path to inner and communal transformation. Ramadan, the holiest and most anticipated month in the Islamic calendar, is just around the corner. This weekend, nearly two billion … Continue reading →

Posted in Bediüzzaman-Said-Nursi, Community, God, Islam, Quran, Ramadan, Risale-i Nur | Tagged Fasting, Islam, Quran, Ramadan, Religion | Comments Off

Imam Ali (ra) and His Wisdom for the Interreligious Life

Posted on October 23, 2024 by zeynebsayilgan

This past July Muslims around the world entered the new Islamic year of 1446. The first Islamic month of Muharram is a moment in which Muslims not only observe the important fast of Ashura but also commemorate the martyrdom of … Continue reading →

Posted in Community | Tagged Bediüzzaman-Said-Nursi, History, Islam, Muharram, Religion, Shia, Sunni | Comments Off

The Hijra – Lessons from The First Muslim Migration for Today

Posted on August 23, 2024 by zeynebsayilgan

This July Muslims entered their new Islamic year of 1446. Day one of the Islamic lunar calendar is based on a momentous event – the hijra or migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. The early Muslim community who … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, God, Islam | Tagged God, Hadith, Hijra, History, Immigration, Islam, Migration, Prophet-Muhammad, Quran, Refugees, Religion | Comments Off