Omar Sacirbey
Omar Sacirbey is a Boston-based correspondent for Religion News Service and other publications.
All Stories by Omar Sacirbey
Muslims criticize judge’s dismissal of NYPD spying lawsuit
By Omar Sacirbey — February 21, 2014
(RNS) Muslim Americans and civil rights groups are criticizing a federal court decision that dismissed a lawsuit alleging the New York City Police Department illegally spied on Muslim Americans in New Jersey.
Should schools close for Eid holidays? Muslims are divided
By Omar Sacirbey — February 18, 2014
(RNS) Two petitions urging the federal government to close schools on the two Eid holidays sparked spirited debate in the Muslim community. Both failed to amass enough signatures.
‘Salaam, Love’ counters stereotypes of Muslim men
By Omar Sacirbey — January 31, 2014
(RNS) “Salaam, Love” seeks to counter stereotypes of Muslim men by offering stories of men who bare their emotions, admit mistakes, bask in memories of true love, recall heartbreaks, and reflect on caring for a dying wife.
Best Buy commercial points way to greater Muslim acceptance
By Omar Sacirbey — January 24, 2014
(RNS) Muslims in commercials are still rare, but that could be changing as the acceptance of Muslims accelerates across America.
Judge rules in favor of Muslim woman on no-fly list
By Omar Sacirbey — January 16, 2014
(RNS) A Muslim woman now living in Malaysia struck a blow to the U.S. government’s “no-fly list" when a federal judge ruled that the government violated her due process rights by putting her on the list without telling her why.
Muslim majorities open to democracy, but cautious
By Omar Sacirbey — January 9, 2014
(RNS) Large majorities of people in Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Tunisia and Turkey said their country would be better off if religion and government were separated.
Women photographers shatter Middle Eastern stereotypes
By Omar Sacirbey — January 7, 2014
BOSTON (RNS) “She Who Tells a Story,” a photo exhibit now showing at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, features the work of 12 women from Muslim countries who shatter stereotypes with works that are provocative, beautiful, mysterious, and surprising, all at the same time.
Muslim Christmas celebrations gain a toehold
By Omar Sacirbey — December 23, 2013
(RNS) These days, a growing number of Muslims celebrate Christmas, or at least partake in some ways, even if they don’t decorate their homes with trees and a light show. Indeed, many Muslim families have created their own unique Christmas traditions.
Religious, civil rights groups demand investigation of NYPD spying
By Omar Sacirbey — October 25, 2013
(RNS) A coalition of 125 religious, civil rights, and community-based organizations sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice Thursday urging a civil rights investigation into a New York City Police Department program that spies on Muslims.
CAIR taps Jewish filmmaker to lead Philadelphia chapter
By Omar Sacirbey — October 17, 2013
(RNS) Jacob Bender is the highest ranking non-Muslim in the Washington-based organization, and the first to lead one of its chapters.
Muslims say they deserve school time off for holidays, too
By Omar Sacirbey — October 14, 2013
(RNS) For many Muslim families and students, getting Eid al-Adha as an official school holiday isn't just about equity and sparing students the hassle of make-up work, but connecting with their religious identity.
Lost on the hajj? There’s an app for that
By Omar Sacirbey — October 11, 2013
(RNS) People making the Muslim pilgrimage, which falls Oct. 13-18, can get lost along a circuit of rituals that covers several miles. Fortunately, there's an app for that. Several, actually.
Middle Eastern virus may mar hajj pilgrimage
By Omar Sacirbey — October 8, 2013
(RNS) This year’s hajj challenge is the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, which was first reported in Saudi Arabia last year.
Assault on professor part of wave of attacks on Sikhs, Muslims, others
By Omar Sacirbey — September 24, 2013
(RNS) It is not clear whether the attacks on Dr. Prabhjot Singh and the Muslim woman, who was also treated at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, are related. But many say the motives, if not the perpetrators, are depressingly familiar.
Abercrombie & Fitch to change ‘look policy,’ allow hijabs
By Omar Sacirbey — September 23, 2013
(RNS) Abercrombie & Fitch settled a three-year legal battle with two Muslim women out of court.
