Unveiled: A Muslim Girl in O.C.
Shadia: Thank you, readers, for the best year of my life
When John Canalis, editor of Los Angeles Times Community News in Orange County, told me that a column about my life as a Muslim American would make a good read and help people dispel misconceptions about Muslims and Islam, I thought, "Me? No way."
Shadia: Tip-top shape is a must for Islam's boot camp
One of Islam's five pillars is Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Shadia: Let's not empower extremists
When I heard about the shooting of 14-year-old Pakistani Malala Yousafzai by a coward, who must think he's a real man to shoot a teenage girl while on a school bus simply because she wants an education, I felt sick.
Shadia: Support the civilized ads
My name is Mona Shadia, and I am a savage — according to Pamela Geller, that is.
Shadia: Faith is stronger than a film
It is fair to say that last week I was in utter agony, lamenting the hot mess in the Middle East.
Shadia: 9/11 leads to rediscovery of faith
Do you know the feeling when you have a parent or relative that you keep at a distance for one reason or another, but then they become severely ill, and you can't help but forget all your differences and stand beside them?
Shadia: Dishing over questions of faith
One of the reasons I enjoy a happy and fulfilling life is because of the people in it.
Shadia: 'Taraweh' is Muslims' opera
The other night I struggled to come up with a simple way to describe the magnitude of "taraweh" — the extra prayers performed nightly during Ramadan.
Shadia: The benefits of Ramadan are truly endless
Refraining from food and water all day during Ramadan is not that bad.
Shadia: Refreshing my faith during Ramadan
Ramadan starts Thursday night (insert multiple happy faces here).
Shadia: Loving dogs at a distance
If you've lived near a Muslim or a Middle Eastern family, or if you know one, then you've probably seen them act a little weird around dogs.
Shadia: Five prayers a day is harder than it looks
I struggle to fulfill my commitment to five daily prayers.
Shadia: Your heart and actions matter, not your appearance
A group of people once brought a drunk man to the Prophet Muhammad, thinking that because alcohol is forbidden he would react harshly.
Shadia: Standing alongside Syrians, if only in spirit
When I was growing up in Cairo, there was a rumor that the Egyptian secret service placed an informant in every neighborhood who knew every little move you made, your family history and what you said about the government.
