The rise in Islamophobia and anti-Muslim violence in New York City is linked to the anti-Muslim rhetoric of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, who has mainstreamed xenophobic discourse during his campaign. Trump's campaign, built on hatred and fear, targets various groups including Muslims, Mexicans, women, homosexuals, and the disabled. The article reflects on the personal impact of Trump's statements on the author, an immigrant Muslim woman of color, and highlights the upcoming election as a choice between erasing American differences or celebrating them as a source of greatness.

The article tells the story of Soha Hossam and her family, who have resettled in the United States after fleeing the conflict in Syria. Soha, her husband Hossam Alroustom Maen, and their two children, Wesam and Mayesa, now live in a modest apartment in Jersey City, New Jersey. They are among the very few Syrian refugees who have been admitted to New Jersey since June 2015, according to data from Church World Service, a contractor involved in refugee resettlement. The article highlights the challenges faced by the family, particularly the impact of the war on Wesam, who is autistic and was distressed by the sounds of bombs and explosions in their home city of Homs, a hotspot in the Syrian civil war.

The article discusses the efforts of Muslim Pakistani-American women in the performing arts to challenge stereotypes and present a more nuanced image of their identity. Aizzah Fatima left her job at Google to produce 'Dirty Paki Lingerie', a comedy show portraying diverse experiences of Muslim women. Fawzia Mirza, a Chicago-based artist, and Mona Shaikh, a comedian who founded 'Muslims Do It Better', also share their experiences and the challenges they face in conservative cultures and the entertainment industry. Nadia Parvez Manzoor's show 'Burq Off!' addresses the conflict of growing up in two different cultures, and while it has faced criticism for its portrayal of South Asian men, she defends it as reflective of her personal experiences. The article highlights the importance of representation and the slow but ongoing progress in the acceptance of South Asian artists in the performing arts.

The article discusses the aftermath of the Peshawar school attack in Pakistan, which led to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lifting the moratorium on executions for terrorism-related cases. Justice Project Pakistan (JPP) and other human rights organizations have criticized this decision, highlighting the flaws in Pakistan's justice system, including the overuse of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the poor conditions on death row. The article shares the stories of individuals like Shafqat Hussain, who was sentenced to death based on a confession obtained through torture, and Aftab Bahadur, who has been in prison for 23 years on murder charges. Human rights groups continue to advocate for fair trials and oppose the death penalty, even for convicted terrorists, due to the weak prosecution and investigation processes in Pakistan.