Laura El Alam, Author at AlJumuah Magazine

Golden Muslimas

SOME OF THEM are doting grannies, beaming benignly at the children around them, soothing and entertaining expertly because they’ve done it a thousand times. Some of them are the wise, kindly aunties at the masjid with experience and intelligence etched upon every…

Freedom and the “Hidden Life”

If the opponents of Islamic clothing bothered to ask Muslim women their opinion, they would learn something that might surprise them: the vast majority of Muslim women who dress modestly do it willingly and for one reason: to please their Creator. "Yes,…

A Letter to President-Elect Donald Trump

"I don't think you know American Muslims at all, Mr. Trump. I invite you to get to know us. Visit our masajid (mosques) and talk with our leaders, our scholars, and our passionate activists. Listen to our concerns and hear our suggestions.…

Bait and Switch (Part 5) Only One Solution

His wife. In the emergency room. Bleeding. Possibly losing their baby. Sam could hardly cope with the flood of panic that coursed through his body. He had to restrain himself from running every red light and honking furiously at every driver ahead…

Bait and Switch, Part 4: “Expect the Unexpected”

When he walked into the condo again at 5:45 that evening, Sam found Emma sobbing on the couch. “What's wrong?!” he asked in alarm, running to her. “What happened?!” “Sam! What if this isn't a stomach flu? What if I'm pregnant?” she…

Bait and Switch | Chapter 3: Commitment

"Marry you?" repeated Emma, blankly, as if she didn't understand the words at all. She was so caught off guard by Sam's spontaneous question that she looked completely bewildered. "Well, not right away, of course," explained Sam, rapidly. "I mean, we still…

Bait and Switch | Chapter 2: Crucial Questions

“Now Sam, let me get to the point,” interrupted Hal. “I’ve met lots of people all over the world, including lots of Muslims . . . in Morocco, Saudi, Dubai, and Indonesia. Now, I know a little about Islam, but not a…

Bait and Switch | Chapter 1: Temptations at the Picnic

“Have a brewski?” asked a tall, young redhead whom Sam did not recognize. His name tag identified him as “Justin.” He held a bottle of beer out to Sam. “Uh, no thanks,” said Sam. “No, no, no,” insisted Justin. “You gotta have…

Children At Tarawih Prayers?

"In 2007, our Southern California community was privileged to host renowned reciter of the Quran, Shaykh Mishary Rashid Alafasi, at a local masjid. The shaykh stayed throughout Ramadan and led the tarâwîḥ prayers, and thousands of Muslims traveled to the Islamic Center…

A Muslim Father’s Role in Breastfeeding

Beyond the essentials, what else can Muslim fathers do to ensure that their wives and children are going to have the best possible chance for a healthy, successful nursing relationship? And why should fathers invest so much in breastfeeding in the first…