imam
the person responsible for leading prayers in a mosque; when capitalized, a title for various Muslim leaders, particularly leaders of Shiite Islam
Islam
a monotheistic faith founded in 7th century AD, revealed through the Prophet Muhammad; the religion of Muslims
Quran (also Koran or Qur'an)
the sacred book of Islam, thought to be God's word as dictated to the Prophet Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel
Muslim (also Moslem)
term for a follower of Islam
mosque
Muslim place of worship featuring an area for communal prayer and often housed in a domed building
Islamophobia
prejudice against Islam and/or Muslims
Hamas
Palestinian Islamic resistance movement that aims to establish a Palestinian state that includes Israel and the West Bank
Palestine
a territory in the Middle East, situated on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Since 1948, when the state of Israel was established in what was traditionally Palestine, the name has been used by Palestinian Arabs and supporters who see Israel as occupying Palestine
Zionism
a political movement for the establishment, development, and protection of a Jewish nation in the territory now known as Israel
Israel
a country in the Middle East, established in 1948 as a Jewish homeland on British-mandated Palestinian territory. The country has long been embroiled in conflict with neighboring Arab populations and governments
Pakistan
a South Asian majority-Muslin country established in 1947 after Britain's withdrawal from India
Upper East Side
an affluent neighborhood located on the east side of Central Park in New York City's borough of Manhattan
public defender
US legal term for a publicly employed lawyer who represents defendants unable to afford legal counsel
kosher
term for food prepared, cooked, and eaten according to Jewish law, which outlines slaughtering practices, utensil use, the separation of milk and meat, and forbids consumption of shellfish and pork
jihadist (also jihadi)
a person involved in jihad—i.e. the struggle against enemies of Islam on behalf of God; used during the War on Terror to describe Islamic extremist terrorist attackers
terrorism
unlawful use of terror tactics of violence or intimidation to achieve political aims
Patriot Act (officially USA PATRIOT Act)
an act of the United States Congress signed into law by George W. Bush on Oct 26, 2001 following the 9/11 terror attacks. The Patriot Act expanded the US government's abilities to surveil, detain, and prosecute American citizens and residents in the name of national security. The Patriot Act has generated controversy, seen by opponents as having been rushed through Congress with minimal debate or scrutiny
law firm
a legal business usually involving multiple partners in charge of running the firm
making partner
being promoted to the level of partner in a law firm
9/11 (also September 11)
the term for the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, when terrorists believed to be connected to al-Qaeda hijacked commercial airplanes and flew them into the World Trade Center Twin Towers, killing nearly 3,000 people. Another jet crashed into the Pentagon and a fourth crashed in a field in Pennsylvania
