A: Traditionally, anyone who could speak Arabic was known as an Arab. In modern times, the "Arab World" stretches from Morrocco in the West, to Iraq in the East and Yemen in the South. Quite a large area, but by no means does it make up the majority of Muslims in the world. For example the most populous Muslim country is Indonesia, and hundreds of millions of Muslims live in South Asia, China, SE Asia, etc. Also, Turkey and Iran are Muslim, but not considered Arab either. On the Canadian sitcom, "Little Mosque on the Praire", it is not offensive to me at all, I think it is funny and great. Now if only I could watch it regularly and not on youtube!!!! :)

A: To be honest, no much or even not enough. we are a very small community in Bellingham, and a bit bigger in Whatcom County as a whole. Always open to suggestions, but with a small community, everyone is busy doing something just to keep us together as a community!!!! :)

A: Unfortunately, these days, it is very easy to get popular by talking bad about Islam. Seems like if you can talk bad about it, then you are an expert. There are a few points that I would mention to counter this, but keep in mind that I do not know his specific arguments so can't obviously address him directly. 1) All Muslim organizations have denounced the violence that has been done in the name of Islam. one can visit www.isna.net for more information 2) If one reads the quran, God is speaking about how he will forgive sins, so believe in Him; it doesn't make sense that God would be talking about mercy and then tell people to be violent 3) similarly, there is a concept of "eye for an eye" in Islamic law, but that verse in the quran is directly followed up with one that says that if you forgive, it is better for you in the sight of God; again, we forgiveness if God wants us to hate 4) historically, Muslims have lived with others who were "infidels"; even to this day, India is a minority Muslim country; it has in the past been ruled by Muslims; couldn't they have easily wiped out the population of "infidels" or forced them to convert? I hope this helps answer your question. if not, do not hesitate to respond back, because I might be misunderstanding your question. Monem

A: Hi Brandon, I don't think that Islam needs to go through a reformation, but rather Muslims just need to begin practicing Islam. Remember that the history of Islam and not similar to Christianity. For example, at the height of the Christianity, Europe was living in the Dark Ages filled with ignorance, wars, etc. At the height of Islam, the Muslim world was at its peak in terms of scientific discovery, knowledge, arts, etc. That said, I think what does need to happen is that we go back to the original history of Islam where scholars answered questions of their time by debate and discourse and respected each other's conclusions, but not necessarily agreed with them. Nowadays, unfortunately, people spew off a legal opinion which is hundreds of years old and if you don't agree, they call you a disbeliever!!!!

A: Hi Darlene, in regards to what? thanx Monem

A: Thank you for your comment. Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you, I am traveling outside the country at the moment. I can't answer for others but I can tell you how I feel. Wearing the hijab gives me pride in my Religion, it gives me the chance to be identified as a Muslim woman which is something I cherish. I don't think I am any less liberated than a Western woman in America. Wearing the hijab does not restrict me from doing anything that I would want to do.I realize that when people see the way I dress they might have their own preconceived notion of what it is to be a Muslim woman, I'm more than happy to dispel those stereotypes. I can't imagine that your life would change very much by converting to Islam, and although the hijab is an obligation, it is not part of the five main pillars of Islam. I would love to talk to you more about this, it's such a huge topic. Take care. Iman

A: Hi Irish, thanx for your post. As a father, I hope and pray that my children, not only my daughters, grow up to be upright and outstanding American Muslims. Part of this Muslim identity is to be practicing the tenets of Islam, one of which is to wear the hijab. I do want my daughters to wear it but will never force it on them. In the end, they will have to answer to God as to what they did in this life. As for myself, I will only be asked whether are raised them and taught them according to God's teachings. I hope one day to be able to answer "yes" to that question. BTW, our kids are no longer home schooled. We tried it, and then came to a mutual decision not to do it any longer. Monem

A: Hi David, just as a background, for work, I have visited over 400 mosques and given presentations around the country. None of them, those with Imams, have said anything like this to me or to the congregation. So I would say it is slim to none. One thing to keep in mind is that speaking of the ills of America is different than telling people to hate Americans. No justification exists for the later, but I can speak of the ills of society and do it because I love the society I live in and want it to get better.

A: Hi David, this is a very tricky question. If the FBI just came and told me this, I would ask for some type of proof or something that tells me that they are doing this for good cause. If they did not provide this and said "just trust us", I would not go along. That said, if anyone came up to me anywhere, whether it be at a synagogue, church, mosque, community hall, or anywhere, and told me to participate in something like this, I would call the proper authorities. I am confident that all sane individuals, Muslims and non-Muslims, would do the exact same thing.

A: Thanx Joey, for your question. This is commonly misunderstood concept of Islam. In Chapter 2, verse 256, it reads "There is no compulsion in religion..." this verse, as understood by expert commentators of the Qur'an that it is pretty clear. When the Prophet Muhammad was Ruler of the State of Medina, he signed numerous peace treaties with tribes around Arabia. None of them were ever forced to accept Islam. Many did on their own later on. The history is similar when you look at the growth of the Islamic Empire throughout the world. I recently read that 400 yrs after the conquest of what is currently Syria, the population was still over 50% Christian. I hope this answers your question. Monem