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Hesham Hassaballa

Columnist

Hesham A. Hassaballa is a Chicago-based physician and writer. He has written extensively on a freelance basis and has been published in newspapers across the country and around the world. He has been a Beliefnet columnist from 2001-2009, and has written for the Religion News Service. His articles have been distributed worldwide by Agence Global, and he is also a guest blogger for The Chicago Tribune. In addition, Dr. Hassaballa has appeared as a guest on WTTW (Channel 11) in Chicago, CNN, Fox News, and National Public Radio.

Hesham Hassaballa is co-author of The Beliefnet Guide to Islam (Doubleday), and his essay, "Why I Love the Ten Commandments," was published in the award-winning book, Taking Back Islam (Rodale). His latest book, Noble Brother, is the story of the Prophet Muhammad told entirely in poetry.

In 2007, his blog, God Faith and a Pen, was nominated for a Brass Crescent Award for a blog that is "the most stimulating, insightful, and philosophical, providing the best rebuttals to extremist ideology and making an impact whenever they post." God, Faith, and a Pen has also received an award for being one of the Top Muslim Blogs for 2010 by Awarding The Web.

In addition to writing, Hesham Hassaballa helped found the Chicago Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations and has served on their board of directors. He also co-founded the Bayan H. Hassaballa Charitable Foundation and serves as its executive director.

Works by Hesham Hassaballa

Encountering Reza Aslan's Jesus

Hesham Hassaballa | August 12, 2013

As with many other readers, I took away from the book what I believed about Jesus before......

Fasting: A Remedy for the Soul

Hesham Hassaballa | July 25, 2013

On the surface, fasting nearly seventeen hours daily for Ramadan seems rather insane.......

Why Forgiveness Is God's Greatest Gift to Us

Hesham Hassaballa | May 29, 2013

A Muslim prayer for forgiveness holds the key to the beautiful loving relationship God......

Why Religion and Terrorism Are Opposites

Hesham Hassaballa | April 28, 2013

To be religious, to be close to God, is to understand His love and mercy and the......

When "Standing Up for Jesus Christ" is un-Christian

Hesham Hassaballa | April 11, 2013

Sen. Alan Hays, sponsor of an anti-Sharia bill, told constituents that supporting the......

The Power and Warmth of God's Love

Hesham Hassaballa | February 20, 2013

There is no greater love than the love God has for us, and with His love, everything is......

How the Quran and Islam Honor Mary

Hesham Hassaballa | December 06, 2012

The story of Mary is one spoken with great reverence in the Quran, for she is a woman......

Giving Thanks for a God Who Is Appreciative

Hesham Hassaballa | November 20, 2012

As I reflect on what I have to be thankful for, I think of God and his ninety-nine......

Election 2012: The Defeat of Islamophobia

Hesham Hassaballa | November 13, 2012

It was a decisive loss for hate in the 2012 elections, when key Congressional members of......

Why Do Republicans Dislike Muslims?

Hesham Hassaballa | August 29, 2012

A new poll details unfavorable views of Muslims and Arabs held by Republicans. Is there......

I Fast for Him, and Him Alone

Hesham Hassaballa | July 30, 2012

I do not enjoy fasting for Ramadan in the summer, but I do it because Allah asks me too,......

Wholly American, Wholly Muslim

Hesham Hassaballa | June 28, 2012

What does it mean to be an American Muslim man? Bloggers, dads, social activists,......

Why Hatred of Islam Is Not Logical

Hesham Hassaballa | May 23, 2012

Do the actions of Muslim extremists speak for an entire population?...

Anti-Shariah Bills Cross Faith Lines

Hesham Hassaballa | May 01, 2012

Several states are passing anti-shariah bills. But do they realize how these bills could......

Respect the Hoodie, but Don't Forget the Headscarf

Hesham Hassaballa | April 02, 2012

We are Trayvon Martin. But we are also Shaima Al Awadi, and in light of two horrific......

Why my daughter should have MLK day off

Hesham Hassaballa | January 17, 2012

...

Election 2012: A Rough Ride for American Muslims

Hesham Hassaballa | January 16, 2012

By the looks of the Republican primaries, the 2012 presidential elections will be a......

Make Your Personal Hijrah This New Year

Hesham Hassaballa | December 15, 2011

The new year has begun for Muslims, and with it we should strive to make our own......

Giving Thanks through Actions

Hesham Hassaballa | November 23, 2011

Giving thanks for our blessings is not enough. Only by giving back, by helping others,......

Assessing the ummah: What we can learn from Gilad Shalit

Hesham Hassaballa | October 25, 2011

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Profiling: Security and trust, suspicion and scapegoating

Hesham Hassaballa | October 05, 2011

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How the Republican Party Left Me

Hesham Hassaballa | June 21, 2011

The stoking of hatred and fear toward American Muslims by the Republican Party has......

Interfaith understanding: A Muslim at Passover

Hesham Hassaballa | April 22, 2011

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Islamic law in the US: The Sharia within

Hesham Hassaballa | April 04, 2011

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Egypt protests: Was al-Qaeda’s obituary written...

Hesham Hassaballa | March 07, 2011

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Black History Month: Reflect and reunite

Hesham Hassaballa | February 25, 2011

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The new Egypt: What role will the Brotherhood play?

Hesham Hassaballa | February 04, 2011

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Arizona shootings: Let’s all “refudiate”...

Hesham Hassaballa | January 19, 2011

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Media: Is there an antidote for anti-Muslim rhetoric?

Hesham Hassaballa | October 11, 2010

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Fasting: Ramadan and God’s love

Hesham Hassaballa | August 11, 2010

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Gender segregation: On second thought…

Hesham Hassaballa | June 16, 2010

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Niqab: Cover up, your hatred is showing

Hesham Hassaballa | May 10, 2010

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The Hutaree: Another man’s freedom fighter

Hesham Hassaballa | April 07, 2010

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Obituary: Remembering Sister Aminah Assilmi

Hesham Hassaballa | March 10, 2010

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Christmas: A Muslim Christmas greeting

Hesham Hassaballa | December 25, 2009

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Elected Muslims: Hard work and an easy smile

Hesham Hassaballa | December 14, 2009

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Eid and Thanksgiving: A beautiful juxtaposition

Hesham Hassaballa | November 25, 2009

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Clothing bans: Burqini blues

Hesham Hassaballa | September 07, 2009

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Hizb-ut-Tahrir: Practicing what they preach?

Hesham Hassaballa | July 27, 2009

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Politics: The elected women of Kuwait

Hesham Hassaballa | June 03, 2009

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NY terror arrests: A more chilling plot?

Hesham Hassaballa | May 29, 2009

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Extremism: Does Islam need a reformation?

Hesham Hassaballa | April 22, 2009

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Darfur: Rallying to the wrong cause

Hesham Hassaballa | March 13, 2009

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Guantanamo detainees: Do not put them to death

Hesham Hassaballa | January 30, 2009

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Christmas: Christ in the Qur’an

Hesham Hassaballa | December 25, 2008

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Hajj 2008/1429: Standing alone among millions

Hesham Hassaballa | December 08, 2008

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Answering atheism: Religion, good and evil

Hesham Hassaballa | October 28, 2008

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Terrorism: The dilemma of the “die-hards”

Hesham Hassaballa | October 08, 2008

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Smoking: A time to kick the habit

Hesham Hassaballa | September 18, 2008

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Free speech: Something better

Hesham Hassaballa | June 20, 2008

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Free will: Alarm over Allam?

Hesham Hassaballa | April 07, 2008

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Reverend Jeremiah Wright: Could a Muslim ever say that?

Hesham Hassaballa | March 22, 2008

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Valentine's Day: A true love story

Hesham Hassaballa | February 14, 2008

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US Elections: Barack’s opportunity

Hesham Hassaballa | January 05, 2008

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Waterboarding: Drowning for justice

Hesham Hassaballa | November 10, 2007

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Movie "Rendition": Nothing ordinary about...

Hesham Hassaballa | October 24, 2007

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Defining sharia: Faithful questions about Islamic law

Hesham Hassaballa | August 10, 2007

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Suicide Terrorism: The betrayal of suicide bombers

Hesham Hassaballa | July 20, 2007

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Modern Islam: The phenomenon of “designer...

Hesham Hassaballa | June 17, 2007

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Extremism among US Muslims: Going after the devil

Hesham Hassaballa | May 28, 2007

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VT victim Waleed Shaalan: Let me tell you about my brother

Hesham Hassaballa | April 24, 2007

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Stem-cell research: Stem cell support in Islam (and...

Hesham Hassaballa | April 16, 2007

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Islamic law in the West: Leave the Qur’an out of...

Hesham Hassaballa | March 23, 2007

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Salt Lake City Murders: Poof! He’s a terrorist!

Hesham Hassaballa | February 16, 2007

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Sectarian Violence in Iraq: Return of the Arabs

Hesham Hassaballa | January 29, 2007

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Reflections: Our real enemy

Hesham Hassaballa | January 04, 2007

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Hajj reflections: Of birth and re-birth

Hesham Hassaballa | December 25, 2006

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Interfaith Understanding: So that you may know one another

Hesham Hassaballa | November 29, 2006

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Muslims Today: For those who are conscious of God

Hesham Hassaballa | November 13, 2006

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Torture and Interrogation: Why we should not torture

Hesham Hassaballa | October 31, 2006

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Concepts of God: God is the king

Hesham Hassaballa | October 22, 2006

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Reflections: God has 99 names

Hesham Hassaballa | October 11, 2006

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Terminology: If not “Islamic fascists,” then...

Hesham Hassaballa | September 30, 2006

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Middle East Conflicts: Another vision of the “new...

Hesham Hassaballa | September 11, 2006

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Middle East Mediation: Time for a new “honest...

Hesham Hassaballa | July 30, 2006

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Sectarian Violence in Iraq: Not in my name

Hesham Hassaballa | July 05, 2006

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Muslims in the West: Integration is a two-way street

Hesham Hassaballa | June 07, 2006

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Scholars and Believers: What are the requirements to...

Hesham Hassaballa | May 24, 2006

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Language and Interpretation: A new understanding of...

Hesham Hassaballa | May 14, 2006

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Interfaith Relations: Are we really supposed to hate...

Hesham Hassaballa | May 01, 2006

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Interfaith Relations: Are we really supposed to hate...

Hesham Hassaballa | April 21, 2006

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Apostasy in Islam: Are the scholars the same as God...

Hesham Hassaballa | April 07, 2006

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Apostasy in Islam: Let God be the judge

Hesham Hassaballa | March 31, 2006

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Terminology: In search of the kuffar...

Hesham Hassaballa | March 20, 2006

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Wafa Sultan: A lost opportunity

Hesham Hassaballa | March 14, 2006

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Domestic wiretapping: President Bush and the rule of law

Hesham Hassaballa | February 26, 2006

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Domestic violence: The shame of “honor...

Hesham Hassaballa | January 23, 2006

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African-American Muslims: Why my daughter should have...

Hesham Hassaballa | January 18, 2006

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Inspiration: Finding wisdom in a Christina Aguilera song

Hesham Hassaballa | January 01, 2006

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Religion and Society: Do we really trust in God?

Hesham Hassaballa | December 19, 2005

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Questioning faith: Is religion bad for the world?

Hesham Hassaballa | December 10, 2005

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: God’s Punishment?

Hesham Hassaballa | November 15, 2005

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Ramadan reflections: Missing the point

Hesham Hassaballa | October 17, 2005

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Muslim civic engagement: Helping others, away from the...

Hesham Hassaballa | October 01, 2005

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: Of Emmitt, Katrina, and Muhammad

Hesham Hassaballa | September 20, 2005

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Hurricane Katrina: All I can say is “Lord help...

Hesham Hassaballa | September 06, 2005

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Extremism: Why did you say that?

Hesham Hassaballa | August 02, 2005

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Apostasy: Are we really supposed to murder apostates?

Hesham Hassaballa | July 20, 2005

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: Say Something Good Or…

Hesham Hassaballa | July 11, 2005

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Integration in France: Should imams in France learn...

Hesham Hassaballa | June 29, 2005

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Inspiration: Isn’t this also a desecration of the...

Hesham Hassaballa | June 21, 2005

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Media relations: ‘They were set up, and the media...

Hesham Hassaballa | June 12, 2005

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Religion in society: A Christian nation, or nation of...

Hesham Hassaballa | June 08, 2005

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Understanding the Qur'an: Are we really supposed to...

Hesham Hassaballa | May 24, 2005

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Understanding the Qur'an: Are we really supposed to...

Hesham Hassaballa | May 19, 2005

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Reflection: The most profound statement in the...

Hesham Hassaballa | April 27, 2005

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Freedom of religion: If it’s wrong, it’s wrong

Hesham Hassaballa | April 21, 2005

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: Muslims And Jews: One Nation Under God?

Hesham Hassaballa | April 12, 2005

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: Standing By My Sister

Hesham Hassaballa | March 07, 2005

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: Not Being Afraid Of “Why?”

Hesham Hassaballa | March 03, 2005

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Community: Do I have “ummah-itis”?

Hesham Hassaballa | February 25, 2005

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Rebuilding Iraq: What if Iraq goes Islamic?

Hesham Hassaballa | February 20, 2005

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: A Despicable Crime, And A Disconcerting Response

Hesham Hassaballa | February 16, 2005

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