As a little girl, I had an unshakeable, unwavering belief in the existence of Santa Claus. My mother (who must have been one of Santa’s elves in her past life) created magic for me and my brothers each Christmas morning. We would wake up to mountains of presents piled under a glittering tree, a plate of cookie crumbs and an empty glass of milk on the fire place mantle, and a note from Santa himself to each of us in unfamiliar, old man-like handwriting. 

Besides a few occasional shout outs in Obama’s speeches, Muslims rarely get recognition for their contributions to the world. But a new exhibition in England’s The Science Museum is about to give credit where credit is due. 

I guess I understand the origins of polygamy. Back in the seventh century, men married multiple wives for practical reasons - to forge alliances and strengthen communities, save widows from squalor, etc. But things are different now. The idea of a marriage alliance makes me think of a bunch of spear-wielding warriors threatening war unless the chief gives his daughter away as a prize, and I haven’t seen many of those around in the 21st century. (I also realize that I have watched “Pocahontas” one too many times). I’ve heard some of today’s young Muslim men joke about polygamy. It sounds something like this: “Yo woman, you be trippin. Ima holla at wife number two till you simmer down.”

The coronation of the new Miss Palestine was scheduled to take place last Saturday after the final round of the competition was complete. But a week before judges were to narrow down the contestants from 10 hopeful young women to just 1, organizers announced that they would be postponing the beauty contest indefinitely. 

The beginning of the Islamic New Year, commencing with the first month called Muharram, is based on the lunar calendar. But in most parts of the Islamic world there won’t be mass street parties, ticker tape parades or huge gatherings to watch a big glittering ball drop as the world counts down “Happy New Year!”. The marking of the New Year is often a time for quiet reflection and personal introspection. It’s just not typically a time for making resolutions that will most likely crash and burn in a mere couple of weeks. 

It’s been a long and winding road - the mixed messages, hurt feelings and absolute betrayal on both sides. And no, I’m not talking about Tiger Woods. The financial showdown between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the mini-sheikdom neighbors of the UAE, finally subsided when Abu Dhabi finally opened up its enormous wallet and showed a little love to the cash-strapped Dubai in the form of a $10 billion bailout.

An Egyptian human rights organization has revealed that Arab governments have been engaging in violations that include torture, extra-judicial executions, and repressive laws, while blocking reforms that guarantee their citizens basic rights. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies says that rights have deteriorated significantly over the past year as governments continue to restrict freedom of the press, suppress human rights activists and discriminate against religious minorities. 

Honestly, I want to have a strong opinion one way or another about James Cameron’s epic, Avatar. I really do. I love Star Wars, Starcraft, and any other movie, video game, or book that incorporates the future*, aliens, or spaceships in pretty much any combination of the three. I figured I would eat this delicious sci-fi epic up like a hot fudge sundae on a Ramadan night. Then I watched it, the credits rolled, and I left the theater trying to figure out what I thought about it. Sure, I like Avatar. But I don’t love it and that’s what worries me.

Need yet another reason why America is better than France? Well here’s one. The New York chapter of CAIR, an American civil liberties and advocacy organization for Muslims, is currently running an ad in the Mecca of advertising real estate (yes, pun shameless intended) otherwise known as Times Square. The ad, entitled “I am Muslim, I am American,” began airing yesterday morning on the CBS Super Screen. The point of the PSA, according to CAIR-NY Community Affairs Director Faiza Ali, is to highlight “ordinary American Muslims whose everyday lives are dedicated to building community and serving country.”

Christmas is such a special time of year. The window displays on Fifth Avenue in New York City are bedecked with fake snow and elaborate arrangements of diamonds, dresses, and other things that make you say, “Recession who?” I personally love Christmas - the charitable spirit, the joy, the presents, the cookies, the singing, the family gathering, the neat wrapping paper, the beautiful trees...the cookies...the plush stockings...stuffed with cookies....