Gratitude is a practice that is rooted in faith
Oshkosh, Wis.: As a practicing Muslim living in the United States, I value the central place gratitude holds in my faith. Muslims say “Alhamdulillah,” meaning “All praise belongs to Allah,” several times a day, acknowledging that every blessing, big or small, comes from God. Gratitude is not just a feeling, it is a way of life.
The Quran repeatedly calls believers to remember and thank their Creator, saying: “If you are grateful, I will surely bestow more favors on you” (14:8). Islam teaches that gratitude extends beyond God — it is also expressed to those around us. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “One who is not grateful to others is not grateful to God.” This reminds us to cherish our parents, spouses, neighbors, coworkers, and our broader community, showing appreciation through words and deeds.
Living in the United States, I feel especially grateful for the freedom to practice my faith openly and to share these values with others. I express my gratitude not just through words but through actions, whether volunteering at a food pantry, helping new immigrants, contributing to food banks, donating blood or participating in interfaith programs. These acts of service are ways I practice thankfulness to God.
Serving others is not just a form of gratitude, but also makes the world a bit brighter. In times when division often overshadows our shared humanity, gratitude can bridge differences and nurture compassion. Every “Alhamdulillah” is a gentle reminder to notice our blessings and be grateful for God’s creations. Sana Malik
Creeping Christmas
Valhalla, N.Y.: About three weeks ago, “Black Friday” started for many companies. Black Friday is supposed to be the Friday after Thanksgiving! And decorations and sales for Christmas have already started. Did we forget Thanksgiving, or do we want to reduce it to a good turkey dinner that means nothing? A few years ago, the first sounds of Christmas music wouldn’t start until 10 or 11 p.m. after the Thanksgiving feast. I worked in the supermarket industry for many years and we never heard Christmas music on the sound system until Thanksgiving night, or at the earliest, Thanksgiving Eve — late! As I drove my neighbor this past week, there were Christmas decorations displayed and lit. Jumping the gun? Have people forgotten what Thanksgiving is celebrated for!? It’s a national tradition of togetherness and thankfulness! Let’s not rush through and pass over Thanksgiving! Happy Thanksgiving! Michael Grisanti
Common thieves
Rockville Centre, L.I.: The Daily News and other publications should really consider abandoning the use of the cutesy term “porch pirates” and start referring to them with a more appropriate term considering their crime. Maybe start using “package thieves.” I’m sure most of their victims would agree. Rick Duskiewicz
Always available
Terre Haute, Ind.: The Marxist mainstream legacy networks and cable media blather continuously that Donald Trump is a threat to journalism and democracy. As president, he has been the most accessible individual in recent memory to these people and the rest of the Washington press corps. He answered exponentially more media questions in these past 10 months than Joe Biden did in four years. Unlike the “ice cream” nerf-ball questions to Biden, Trump dialogues daily with this outfit. He deals with their moronically insulting and nonsensical questions with the greatest sense of personal ease. Plus, Trump doesn’t need to be told where to stand or need cue cards to refer to. He doesn’t shake hands with the air. He doesn’t call on the dead by name! He hasn’t thus far wandered off into a Brazilian forest. But of course, their nauseating, pejorative clamor about Trump will never change. Earl Beal
Hideous harvest
Penticton, British Columbia: Trump, Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu — the unholy trinity — together with MAGA, have murdered truth and trust. They have sold their souls to the Beast in their worship of their god of gold and pursuit of power. The venom of the Slithering Father of Lies and Hate is far-reaching, deadly and all-encompassing! The Beast’s hideous harvest: the Gaza slaughter, the suffering Ukraine’s betrayal, and the grievously wounded and abused beautiful America, a temple of the unborn and refuge of the least. Joe Schwarz
Fleeing a sinking ship
Edinburgh, Scotland: Astonishing as it is to see who qualifies as a political pundit these days — or worse, an expert in the plethora of political podcasts — there’s been nothing more astonishing than the current crop’s reaction to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. They’re convinced that MTG, who broke with her cult leader Trump and is resigning citing her principles, is their “Educating Rita” heroine. Yes, the same MTG who followed a young school shooting survivor down the street, screeching at him that she had a gun in her purse and — oh yes — the Jewish space laser conspiracy. Catching on to the notion of the end days for Trump, MTG is repositioning herself. She’s just white Kemi Badenoch — someone who sees herself at the head of the lunatic mess of the GOP as Badenoch heads up the dregs of the U.K. Conservative Party — what David Cameron famously called the “swivel-eyed loons.” The difference? MTG isn’t an irredeemable idiot. Amanda Baker
Unbalanced blather
Howard Beach: Forced to leave office because of threats against her and her family, Marjorie Taylor Greene now understands the dangers of unbridled, dangerous words. Whether it be from the unbalanced leader in the White House or some of his unbalanced followers, menacing and threatening talk has consequences. Meditation teacher Sayagyi U Ba Khin once said, “A balanced mind is necessary to balance the unbalanced minds of others.” Ernest Kienzle
Early departure
Brooklyn: Recently, while having a cup of coffee at Paul’s Daughter on the Boardwalk in Coney Island, two tourists from Denmark asked for directions to Nathan’s Famous. As we spoke about Coney Island, they informed us that they arrived a couple of days ago and cut their vacation short because they feared for their safety. They said they were staying in Manhattan and were approached by homeless people demanding money. This is sad because this is the second or third time tourists told us they were afraid to stay in New York. Our new friends said they were here a number of years ago and the city felt much safer. After escorting them to get their hot dogs, we said our goodbyes and they were off to the airport. Louie Scarcella
Above consequences
Brooklyn: During the government shutdown, not a single member of Congress volunteered to donate all or part of their salary to food banks or the families of unpaid air traffic controllers. It’s shameful that our elected officials can collect paychecks for not doing their jobs while their constituents who are doing their jobs — in some cases, now two or three jobs — are going hungry. Katherine Raymond
Some gotta go
Bronx: It’s going to be a long winter with all this boring talk about Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz. The Mets couldn’t win with both of them. The team has to move on and get some younger ballplayers who want to play. Alonso and Diaz keep saying they want to always be a Met. Let’s face it, money talks. Let them go play for another team. Maybe the Mets can win in 2026. Ralph Canzone Sr.
Astroturfing acumen
Warsaw, N.Y.: Promoting investment in battery storage and renewable energy is not just a climate fight (“Lower utility bills by uniting customers,” op-ed, Nov. 21). Utility customers must fight for affordability by organizing against the gas lobby. It stalls cost-lowering solutions with a well-funded propaganda campaign, sowing fear and spreading misinformation. They even create what look like local opposition groups that fight for town moratoriums on battery storage. Gov. Hochul is captive to these pro-gas lobbyists, approving the thoroughly unnecessary and harmful Williams NESE pipeline, delaying implementation of laws to reduce emissions like the All-Electric Building Act, and not signing the repeal of the 100-foot rule. All this backsliding leaves New Yorkers stuck with costs for years to come. Hochul is putting corporations over people. Lynn Saxton
