/humanKIND/
I share personal stories of gratitude, resilience, and connection—an invitation to see the good in each other, and to live up to the word that defines us: human. kind.
“Nature is a beautiful thing”
My newest book is “BenchTalk: Wisdoms Inspired in Nature” — a collection of heartfelt reflections, gratitudes, and life lessons by people from all walks of life, young and old, shared in yellow journals—a treasure trove of hope and connection when we need it the most.
KindWorks: Nurturing Community and Volunteerism
KindWorks is an organization that promotes community and service through organizing daily volunteer opportunities based in the Washington, D.C. area. Underlying this mission is a desire to nurture diverse communities that support one another over time.
My goal is my mother
We met Fahim the first evening we arrived in Athens. He is a professional soccer player, and used to play for the national team in Afghanistan.
"If we don't care, who will"
Raghad Bushnaq has been helping people in need in informal ways for at least a dozen years, but when refugees started arriving in the Washington D.C. area in large numbers in April 2016
The Art of Aadil Abedi: An Invitation for Conversation
At a time in this country when even the sight of Arabic writing can make some people nervous, Aadil Abedi, a London-based artist, is launching his Arabic
You Did Not Break Me- Sabiha Husić
Today is the 20th anniversary of the massacre in Srebrenica, when more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb forces.
Centered: The Music and Passion of Sami Yusuf
The questions during the live Twitter chat with the singer, songwriter and composer Sami Yusuf a few weeks ago were pouring in, hundreds every few minutes
Light and Blessings: A Rememberance of Tayyibah Taylor
Last Friday, as I was waiting, blue-gowned, in the hospital for my bi-annual mammography results, I scrolled through my Facebook feed and saw the tributes pouring in.
Reviving a Dying Art: The Embroidery of Asif Shaikh
Asif Shaikh sits behind his black granite table in his office in Ahmedabad, India, discussing fabrics, colors and designs with the mother of a groom.
Pakistan Zindabad – Jibran Nasir
Over 1200 people have died in Pakistan in the past week, not from natural disaster or a terrorist attack, but from debilitating heat. Temperatures are reaching 120 degrees
Shahidul Alam: Giving Voice to the Lions
He was taking curious – but evocative – photographs: a pair of eyeglasses of a pashmina weaver; calloused feet working the pedals of a loom; dozens of tillis wrapped
An Unlikely Ambassador: Todd Shea Finds Purpose after 9/11
I was staying at a hotel in Queens, and woke up to a phone call from my manager Al Sirowitz. His call was expected; we were going to be working at a recording studio that day.
Serving Humanity: Abdul Sattar Edhi
A young mother, wearing a black abaya over a bright red shalwar kameez, her hair loosely covered and her hands painted with henna, waits in the front office of the boys school at Edhi Village
Three Cups of Tea: Greg Mortensen
In one of life’s strange twists of fate, a failed climber becomes a great humanitarian. Salma Hasan Ali tells the extraordinary story of Greg Mortenson and his passion to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Allah Sent Me An Angel
Todd Shea is an unlikely savior. But the people he helps don’t care that he was once a crack addict—or know that they’ve also been saviors to him.