From the Mat to the Mountain: Jiu-Jitsu gym opens at The Rock Sports Complex in Franklin
Photos by Cherrie HansonA brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Mahmoud Jabr began studying martial arts in middle school and is now owner and coach of Mach5JJ Gym in Franklin. As a martial artist, Mahmoud Jabr firmly believes in giving himself a new...
What Is Your Mission In Life?
Once Khalifa Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, noticed a bird on a tree. He sighed deeply saying “O, bird! How lucky you are! You sit on the tree, you eat from the fruit, then fly away, you fear no accountability or punishment. I wish I was like...
Theater production ‘Cutting the Tightrope’ tackles censorship — and genocide — head-on
Issam Al Ghussain in “Cutting The Tightrope: (Photo: Ali Wright) When, in January, Arts Council England updated its requirements for funding to warn against “political” art, there was such outrage among artists that a month later it issued an extraordinary...
Madison chef pursues the best qualities in business and cultural cuisine
Photos courtesy of Sultan Restaurant Chef Sultan Ahmed believes in protecting small, local, regional farms and supply chains for a healthier, sustainable food model for communities and his restaurant. Downtown Madison is home to many fabulous restaurants,...
17-Year-Old Nila Ibrahimi Wins International Children’s Peace Prize for Defending Afghan Girls’ Rights
In Amsterdam, Nila Ibrahimi, a 17-year-old Afghan refugee residing in Canada, was awarded the International Children’s Peace Prize. The recognition, given by KidsRights and presented by Yemeni Nobel laureate Tawakkol Karman, highlighted Nila’s relentless...
Israel: Beginning of the End
Israeli protest in Tel Aviv calling for an agreement to release Israelis held captive or hostage, Sept. 1, 2024. (Nizzan Cohen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0)Contrary to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s bellicose July 24 speech before a joint session of...
Longtime beloved Salam School teacher retires
Photos courtesy of Khadijah Mohammad-Yagham Khadijah Mohammad-Yagham, known to generations of students as "Sister Khadijah," pictured above at her daughter Alaa Shareef's wedding in 2019, taught at Salam School in Milwaukee for 29 years. When Islamic...
Hiking group for Muslim women breaks barriers as hundreds flock to the outdoors
Nasrieen Habib, pictured October 28, 2024, is the founder of Hiking Hijabies. Credit: Aaron Nesheim | Sahan JournalWhen Nasrieen Habib launched a hiking group for Muslim women in 2022, she didn’t know if anyone would show up.Nine women responded to her...
How One Designer’s Journey Created Japan’s First Hijab Brand
Japanese fashion designer Kobayashi Kaori’s journey into hijab-making began with an unexpected spark of inspiration during her first trip to Malaysia in 2017. Taken by the beautiful array of hijabs she saw, she was drawn to their vibrant colors and...
Steep & Brew, a Madison original, is well connected to its community
Photos courtesy of Steep & Brew Keeping the well known Steep & Brew coffee house alive and well in the Madison area, Saad Khalifa bought the shop next door to his yogurt shop a dozen years ago. Every thriving community needs their locally-roasted...
