Reza John Vedadi

Time magazine’s “Most Influential People” list is an annual ranking of the 100 most influential people in the world. The list includes politicians, public figures, businesspeople, and other prominent personalities. Time selects the list based on a number of factors, including the person’s ability to influence public opinion, their achievements, and their potential for making a future impact. The list is divided into five categories: Leaders, Artists, Titans, Pioneers, Innovators and Icons.

Hollywood has come a long way, and is already becoming incredibly diverse and embracing the Muslim experience more and more. But unfortunately, those forms of representations still seem to come with caveats. Hollywood often refuses to give Muslims positive representation, leaning on stereotypes of Muslims as terrorists. Watching Netflix’s new Midnight Mass has been refreshing, depicting a devout Muslim man struggling against evil, and not against his own beliefs.

The Holy Quran remains the sole source of authentic authority for Muslims, and the miracles and inspiration that come from its holy words are endless and boundless. In the spirit of holding steadfast to hope and empowerment, here are 10 of some of the most inspiring verses from the Holy Quran: 1) “And Allah would not punish them while they seek forgiveness” [Quran 8:33] In this verse, Allah reminds us of the power of his mercy and the importance of asking for forgiveness.