Shanzeh Ahmad

Shanzeh Ahmad is a former reporter for the Tribune.

Los reclusos musulmanes Ronald Franklin, Robert McCullough y Chaka Richblood, con el Corán, estudian en la capilla del Centro Correccional de Danville, el 24 de marzo de 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

‘No nos ven’: La comunidad musulmana encarcelada en Illinois celebra el Ramadán

April 19, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.

Millones de musulmanes de Estados Unidos celebran el final del Ramadán, mes islámico marcado por el ayuno desde el amanecer hasta la puesta del sol, con el Eid al-Fitr, que...

Momin Ahmed, a junior at Hinsdale Central High School, started Model UN Academy to serve as an online resource for Model UN clubs and students all over the world. (James C. Svehla/for the Chicago Tribune)

Hinsdale Central teen sets up Model UN Academy site to help thousands of students find success

April 19, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Momin Ahmed's website instructs youths on how to navigate Model UN, a simulation of the real United Nations in schools around the globe.

Naif Salem's animated short film "The Olive Tree Said To Me," based on his book of the same name, features a young girl learning about the olive harvest in Palestine. (Naif Salem)

Chicago Palestine Film Festival looks at more than the war in Gaza to showcase ‘Palestinian joy’

April 13, 2025 at 8:12 a.m.

Resistance takes many forms, said one filmmaker featured at the 24th annual event, and “one of the more impactful ways is film.”

Thousands of people gathered at Daley Plaza for a "Hands Off!" protest and march to criticize recent actions by Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on April 5, 2025, in Chicago. (Audrey Richardson/Chicago Tribune)

Thousands rally, march through Loop for national ‘Hands Off!’ protest

April 8, 2025 at 7:06 p.m.

'Hands Off!' protests were held in downtown Chicago and nationwide.

Muslim inmates Ronald Franklin, Robert McCullough and Chaka Richblood, with the Quran, study in the chapel at Danville Correctional Center, March 24, 2025. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

‘We’re not seen’: Illinois’ incarcerated Muslim community observes Ramadan

March 30, 2025 at 12:39 p.m.

For some Muslims serving time at Danville Correctional Center, being able to have a relatively normal Ramadan routine is a blessing as they fasted this March, like millions of Muslim...

A person rides past Francis W. Parker School in Chicago on May 20, 2020. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Assistant teachers, library assistants at Francis W. Parker School unionize

March 29, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

A majority of assistant teachers and library assistants at Francis W. Parker School, announced their intention to unionize.

Shermann "Dilla" Thomas at The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in Chicago on March 14, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago historian Shermann ‘Dilla’ Thomas planning future with DuSable Museum after being laid off by ComEd

March 22, 2025 at 6:54 p.m.

Thomas is starting to settle into a new role as the brand ambassador and chief of social media for the Washington Park institution.

Stefania Marzelia watches as Vikram Patel places labels on one of their syrup bottles at the Sips kitchen on Feb. 27, 2025, in Chicago. Marzelia is an entrepeneur who started her homemade syrups business last year. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune)

Crystal Lake native’s entrepreneurial spirit infused with her passion for coffee

March 8, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Stefania Marzelia's history as a barista inspired her to start Sips, a business that makes syrups with minimal ingredients for coffee and other foods.

Danielle Moore, owner of Semicolon Books, center, laughs with customer Narquise Bailey while recommending a book on Feb. 21, 2025. Moore had initially announced in January that the store, located at 1355 W. Chicago Ave., will close by April 26th, but a Kickstarter campaign was launched for funds to open a coffee shop within the store, which reached its goal of $25,000 with more than two weeks to go. She now plans to have the bookstore and coffee shop running in conjunction by Juneteenth, June 19. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Semicolon bookstore will go on after community steps up to save the beloved institution

March 1, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

A fundraising campaign now aims to help owner Danielle Moore open a coffee shop that will boost business for the West Town space.

Weekend weather teases warmer week ahead in Chicago

February 22, 2025 at 12:31 p.m.

The weather this weekend is just the start to warming weather coming in the week ahead in Chicago. After several frigid days, the weekend is offering some above-freezing temperatures with...

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