Media Appearances

State of Formation – The Aga Khan and the Human Connection

Hussein March 24, 2014

State of Formation – The Aga Khan and the Human Connection.

Following my previous post on putting the Aga Khan’s speech at Brown in a historical context, I want to spend some time on his discussion of technology and human interaction. Rather than speaking only to the Nizari Ismaili community, or to concerns that affect only Nizari Ismailis, he is addressing a larger human concern. If, as the Qur’an states, the Prophet Muhammad was sent as a mercy to all mankind, than it is only logical that his descendants and the inheritors of his spiritual authority should continue to speak and work for the betterment of humanity, not just the segment that agrees with them.

State of Formation – Understanding the Aga Khan’s Speech in History

Hussein March 20, 2014

State of Formation – Understanding the Aga Khan’s Speech in History.

Recently, the Aga Khan gave a speech at Brown University. As the head of a community of Muslims spread throughout the world, a community to which I belong, the speech needs some reflection. As the Imam, or Divinely appointed head of the community, it would be a mistake to read his comments as a concern for the moment.

Adjuncts fight for a living wage | Al Jazeera America

Hussein February 6, 2014

Adjuncts fight for a living wage | Al Jazeera America.

Picture a professor, and you probably don’t think of someone struggling to put food on the table. But that’s the reality for many adjunct faculty, with some earning the equivalent of a fast-food wage.  A recent study says more than 75% of professors are now adjunct. Are they being exploited and how do their working conditions impact higher education?

Quoted: Meet America’s first openly gay Imam | Al Jazeera America

Hussein December 26, 2013

Meet America's first openly gay Imam | Al Jazeera America.

"I think Daayiee is trying to say, 'Yes, I can be gay and I can be a Muslim, and I can tend to people who are also gay and Muslim,' that this is part of their identity as a human being and that the religion of Islam teaches people to embrace all aspects of their humanity," he said.

Pol: NYPD Muslim Surveillance is ‘Un-American’ | Long Island Press

Hussein December 10, 2013

Pol: NYPD Muslim Surveillance is ‘Un-American’ | Long Island Press.

The sweeping surveillance of local Muslims is un-American, unconstitutional and spawns an atmosphere of mistrust, undermining the efforts of law enforcement conducting clandestine investigations of Muslim Americans in the New York metropolitan area. 

These criticisms of the New York Police Department’s surveillance of Muslim Americans from New York City to Long Island were made by New York State Sen. Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn) and Dr. Hussein Rashid, a professor of religion at Hofstra University during the college’s 11th annual “Day of Dialogue” event Wednesday.

Dr.Hussein Rashid on New Revelations of NYPD Spying by megant-hmwc on SoundCloud – Hear the world’s sounds

Hussein September 3, 2013

Dr.Hussein Rashid on New Revelations of NYPD Spying by megant-hmwc

Dr.Rashid, Professor of Religion at Hofstra University and Associate Editor of Religion Dispatches joined Hofstra’s Morning Wake-Up Call on WRHU Friday, August 30,2013 to respond to new AP reports that the NYPD labeled entire mosques “terrorism enterprises” in order to justify surveillance.

Wednesday’s Religion News Roundup: Ramadan ending * Holy warrior * Biblical dinosaurs | Religion News Service

Hussein August 7, 2013

Wednesday’s Religion News Roundup: Ramadan ending * Holy warrior * Biblical dinosaurs | Religion News Service.

Hussein Rashid, a professor at Hofstra University, disses those who say a Ramadan observance called Laylat ul-Qadr, which translates as the “Night of Power” or the “Night of Destiny,” may be the reason for the closure of U.S. embassies in Africa and the Middle East.

Islam’s `Night of Power’ and the terror alert – CNN Belief Blog – CNN.com Blogs

Hussein August 7, 2013

Islam’s `Night of Power’ and the terror alert – CNN Belief Blog – CNN.com Blogs.

During Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, there is a night that I look forward to every year.
This night is called Laylat ul-Qadr, which translates as the “Night of Power” or the “Night of Destiny.”

Ramadan Fasting From Twitter & Facebook – HuffPost Live

Hussein August 2, 2013

Ramadan Fasting From Twitter & Facebook – HuffPost Live.

In observance of the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from food and drink during daylight hours, some will be participating in another type of fast — a social media one. We speak with observers about why, after dark, naturally.