When teaching World Literature texts (like the 1001 Nights), I find that tropes of Asian/Muslim fatalism are still widely present in students. Asking students to critically examine this trope inevitably becomes part of my lesson plan.

There is an old orientalist stereotype that Islamic belief amounts to helpless fatalism.

It’s interesting that we see exactly the opposite in this report.

Here, God’s decree (qadr) is meant to help people stop fixating on the past, so they can take action in the present.

Arabic calligraphers use space in beautifully creative ways.

Below the words for “1000 nights” are written so that they pass through each other, avoiding a collision of dots.

“The best form of jihad is a word of justice in the face of an unjust ruler.”

— Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ

“The best form of jihad is a word of justice in the face of an unjust ruler.”

— Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ

Hits so hard with what I've been working with.

God most merciful and compassionate, thank you for hearing me in the deafening silences of my despair