Between Sidq and Simulation: On Authenticity in the Age of AI
I used to trust the tremor in a human voice. In Cairo’s late-night hush, a recitation floated from…
A Moment For Reflection
98 articles
The Counterfeit Nightingale and the Real Song
Just by listening to the way it sings, my father can identify a Carolina wren out of a…
A Journey of Self-Discovery: From Darkness to Light
Achieving a constant state of happiness first requires a profound understanding of oneself and an acute awareness of…
A Mosquito Meets a Memory
In a meadow of memories, my mind is a mosquito. It flies from flower to flower, and separates…
The Long Way to the Border
Sarah waited while sitting near the window with her legs pulled toward her chest. The church bell rang…
Setting Priorities (or, How I Learned to Finally Finish This Essay)
On a less than memorable episode of The Simpsons, Bart, the hell-raising ten-year-old, is struggling to begin a…
Heaven
Today is the monthly community market in my little town. Every month, we buy a bag of Granny…
Where Is Heaven?
In the movies when somebody dies, assuming that they are a good person, they go to heaven, which…
Seeking After the Truth…
After the exhausting hustle and bustle of the day, you finally throw yourself into your seat and take…
Flux and Fury
“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let…
Mirrors with Persona
In contemplating the profound messages delivered by prophets throughout history, such as the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, one…
Against All Odds
I am certain that if, two hours ago, I hadn’t seen it happen right in front of my…
A Story That Is Not Mine
Every day of our lives is a spot on our map. It can be a success, a failure,…
Love in the Dark
It was discouragingly dark among the shrubs, and there was the rustle of dead leaves. A half-moon made…
The Troubled Watermill – Dertli Dolap: A Commentary
My intention in writing this piece is to elucidate crucial concepts in a poem written by Yunus Emre—concepts…