The scholars says that it is the most hopeful verse in the Qur’an. Allah (SWT) acknowledges and addresses those who have excessed and tells them that, even if you have transgressed, do not despair His mercy. Just seek forgiveness with sincerity.

The Gonzaga Center for the Study of Hate is inviting people to share their work to counter hate and promote hope by submitting a proposal to present at the 7th International Conference on Hate Studies. The theme for proposals is “Challenges of hate in the 21st century.” The conference will be held from April 20 - 22, 2023.

There is nostalgia. And there is memory. Sometimes the two intersect and the experience is transporting. For one evening, in the midst of mayhem and tragedy, I was transported to a better place and time – alone in New York, a seedy hotel and a sandwich with apple pie. That memory is a perfect seasonal gift.

There are more than a million reasons why we love Christmas; it is the best time of the year. Starting from the tree, presents, Christmas carols, presents, festive decor, and how can I forget seeing dog Christmas puns to friends and relatives, which has recently been added to my favorite Christmas to-do list. But does your dog know it is Christmas time?

On December 4, the second Sunday of Advent, the pastor of my congregation reminded us that this season is traditionally considered “a little Lent,” a time for penitence and lamentation. It is also a time of joyous expectation, as we look ahead to the birth of Jesus. This is certainly a paradox. We are asked to be simultaneously sorrowful and happy.

Thanks to a bipartisan vote that is soon to be signed into law by President Biden, my 40-year marriage will be safe in all states. No, I am not LGBT. I am a heterosexual Cherokee woman who happens to be married to a white man. And by white, I mean 100 percent Irish Welsh. The Respect for Marriage Act protects same sex marriage. It also, finally, protects interracial marriages.