Defender of the faith: Skokie man devotes life to educating about Islam
By Alex Ortiz It didn’t take long for Dr. Sabeel Ahmed to feel unwelcome when he immigrated to the United States from India at 17. During his first gym class, students spat on him because he is Muslim. He was called into the principal’s office to tell who did it, but when asked if they […]
The heirloom of Mariachi music passes down through the generations
By Alexa Mencia When the Chicago Symphony Orchestra welcomed Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, known internationally as the “World’s Best Mariachi,” last month, orchestra hall sold out. Throughout the performance, audience members would let out a joyful, high-pitched yell in excitement—a signature of mariachi music known as a grito. The ensemble itself traces its history back […]
South Austin’s Kidz Express opens doors to new building
By Guy King Too often, the news out of Chicago’s South Austin neighborhood is about young people falling victim to gun violence, but Saturday, several children in the community were all smiles as they helped celebrate the grand opening of a new home for Kidz Express, an after-school center dedicated to providing “a nurturing environment” […]
In good faith: Muslim businessman throws his weight behind Trump
By Shahzeb Ahmed He defends Donald Trump in English and Urdu, Pakistan’s national language. “At least the man says what he thinks; at least he’s not merely echoing those that pay him to do so,” says Talat Rashid, his hands gently resting on a small table in one of the trendier restaurants in Chicago’s Chinatown.
U.S. role on global stage bigger and stronger than ever, Kerry says in Chicago
By Duke Omara Secretary of State John Kerry, in what will likely be one of his last major speeches as the nation’s chief diplomat, has dismissed criticism that America’s global role is diminishing, and that the country was disengaging from the rest of the world. “The United States today is more deeply engaged, in more […]
Native Americans put aside differences at Standing Rock to fight pipeline construction
By Cloee Cooper [Continuing updates on the DAPL pipeline story here.] Donnielle Wanatee, a member of the federally recognized Sac and Fox tribe of the Mississippi and the Meskwaki nation in Iowa, made the 735-mile trek to the Standing Rock camp during the first week of October. For the mother of eight children, the Sioux […]
Asian Americans seek voice and political power
By Yu-Ning Aileen Chuang and Jingzhe Kelly Wang It was a Wednesday night, five days before early voting started in Illinois and Paula Camaya, a freshman at Loyola University, joined more than 20 others at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago in Uptown to call people in the community to make their votes count. “We have been […]
Muslims at Chicago rally stump for Clinton, vow to get out the vote
By Muna Khan At least 100 people gathered at a banquet hall on a cloudy Saturday afternoon on Oct. 15 in Chicago’s Rogers Park to listen to a panel of speakers urge the audience to vote for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
Knitted Knockers: Changing the pattern of breast cancer
By Anna Foley For Chrysanthi Koutsiviti, knitting is more than just pushing a piece of yarn back and forth between needles — it’s an expression of compassion for breast cancer survivors. “I’m knitting with a purpose for people who need it, and it’s so fulfilling,” Koutsiviti said. “Knitting is a way to show people love.” […]
New citizens welcomed in spooktacular ceremony
By Duke Omara Asonme Fozong bubbled with anticipation for the day she has long looked forward to. The 15-year-old, who was born in Cameroon, was about to become a U.S. citizen, although she has always felt like one since moving to the U.S. a decade ago. “It makes me feel real free and it gives […]