{"id":574,"date":"2014-10-24T21:55:28","date_gmt":"2014-10-25T01:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/commonwordcommonlord\/?p=574"},"modified":"2014-10-24T21:55:28","modified_gmt":"2014-10-25T01:55:28","slug":"i-pray-a-happier-new-year-will-come","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/commonwordcommonlord\/i-pray-a-happier-new-year-will-come\/","title":{"rendered":"I Pray A Happier New Year Will Come"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the Name of God: the Infinitely Merciful and Compassionate Precious Beloved<\/em><\/p>\n

Tomorrow is the first day of the Islamic New Year, 1436. Indeed, it is part of human nature that – when such time-based transitions occur – a pause to reflect over what has transpired generally happens. Clearly, Islamic year 1435 has been quite challenging.<\/p>\n

War has ravaged so many parts of the Muslim world, with so many innocent people – Muslim and non-Muslim – dying senseless deaths. What is just as bad, if not worse, are the “holy warriors” that wreak havoc, death, and destruction in the name of the faith that Muslims, including this one, hold so dearly. Whether it be Al Qaeda, or the Taliban, or Boko Haram, or KIL (aka, ISIS)<\/a>, there are too many horrific things that are done in the name of Islam.<\/p>\n

I pray that the evil of these barbarians comes to an end in 1436. It goes without saying that extremism is bred in the swamps of injustice, and thus I pray that more of these swamps will be drained\u00a0 in the coming year of 1436. I pray that the Syrian civil war, which helped KIL (aka ISIS) grow in power, comes to an end in 1436. I pray that peace between Israel and Palestine, elusive for far too long, can be finally achieved in 1436. I pray that the fires of hatred between Sunni and Shia, which are stoked by some solely for power and influence, can be snuffed out and extinguished in 1436.<\/p>\n

I pray that the horror of Ebola in West Africa can be brought under control in 1436. A recent study<\/a> in the New England Journal of Medicine stated that, if not taken care of quickly and aggressively, Ebola infection runs of risk of becoming endemic – meaning permanently present – in the human populations of West Africa. This is quite frightening and must be avoided at all costs. I pray for comfort for the families of the victims of this terrible disease, and I also pray that a cure and\/or effective treatment can be found in 1436.<\/p>\n

I pray that the fires of division and hatred in this country are extinguished in 1436. So many times, the actions of a few are projected upon the whole. Yes, a handful of converts to Islam have committed grave crimes. But that does not mean converting to Islam will make one violent. There are thousands – if not millions – of converts to Islam who have been transformed into good, upright, beautiful people by their conversion. Their stories are the true stories of Islam, but unfortunately, most of the time, the true stories of Islam are simply not reported.<\/p>\n

I pray that mass shootings, such as the one that took place today<\/a>, come to an end in 1436. I have a daughter in High School. I could not imagine having to worry about her safety if a gunman started shooting at her high school. I pray for the families of the victims of this tragedy, for I know all too well the horror of losing a child.<\/p>\n

There is so much evil in our world – coming from every space and every direction – that it is easy to let oneself be overwhelming and smothered by it all. But, we must not let that happen. Yes, there is bad, but there is so much more good. Let us focus on that and keep our spirits high. God is in charge, and in that fact, we should all rejoice.<\/p>\n

Are my prayers all pipe dreams? Some may think so. But, with God all is possible. Like I said, He is in charge, and in that fact, we should all rejoice. And I have one last prayer: that one and all – Muslim and not – have a safe, and blessed, and prosperous, and happy Islamic Year 1436.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Hassaballa","description":"Hesham A. Hassaballa is a Chicago doctor and writer. He has written extensively on a freelance basis, being published in newspapers across the country and around the world. He has been a Beliefnet columnist since 2001, and has written for the Religion News Service. He is also a columnist for Patheos. His articles have been distributed worldwide by Agence Global, and he was also a guest blogger for The Chicago Tribune and has blogged on ChicagoNow\" . In addition, Dr. Hassaballa has appeared as a guest on WTTW (Channel 11) in Chicago, CNN, Fox News, BBC, and National Public Radio. Dr. Hassaballa is co-author of The Beliefnet Guide to Islam (Doubleday), and his essay, \u201cWhy I Love the Ten Commandments,\u201d was published in the award-winning book Taking Back Islam (Rodale). His latest book, Noble Brother, is the story of the Prophet Muhammad told entirely in poetry, and it is now published in its second edition. In 2007, his blog \"God, Faith, and a Pen\" was nominated for a Brass Crescent Award for a blog that is \u201cthe most stimulating, insightful, and philosophical, providing the best rebuttals to extremist ideology and making an impact whenever they post.\u201d \"God, Faith, and a Pen\" has also received an award for being one of the \"Top Muslim Blogs for 2010\" by Awarding The Web. In addition to writing, Dr. Hassaballa helped found the Chicago Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations and currently serves on their board of directors. He also co-founded the Bayan H. 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