[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating about Islam and reflects a wide variety of opinions and approaches. It does not reflect the views of the Critical Currents in Islam page or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to cci@jadaliyya.com by Saturday night of every week.]
How Chechen Strongman Became Putin’s Bridge to Muslim World
Asia Times
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov has built his rule with an Islamic foundation while promising loyalty to Putin.
Yemen: Understanding the Conflict
The Conversation
Kelly McFarland discusses the history and details of the ongoing conflict in Yemen that threatens the lives of millions.
Far-Right Media Falsely Claim Britain Sent Anti-Muslim Activist to ‘Muslim Prison’
The Daily Beast
Right-wing media and politicians are making false claims regarding Tommy Robinson’s imprisonment.
Erdogan’s Plan to Raise a ‘Pious Generation’ Divides Parents in Turkey
The New York Times
President Erdogan has replaced numerous public schools with religious ones as part of his plan for re-election.
Egypt Goalkeeper Declines Budweiser-Sponsored ‘Man of the Match’ Trophy at World Cup
The Washington Post
Muslim goalie Mohamed Elshenawy declined the trophy for ‘Man of the Match’ after Egypt’s game against Uruguay because of its sponsorship by Budweiser.
Turkey’s Islamists and Secularists Join Forces in Bid to Unseat Erdogan
The Guardian
Temel Karamollaoglu is running for president against Erdogan in hopes of fixing the damage done to Turkey’s government.
Iran Executes Sufi Man over Deadly Bus-Ramming
Al Jazeera
Many believe that Mohammad Salas had not received a fair trial regarding the death sentence of Salas over the bus-ramming incident.
Like Many Gay Muslim People, I Have No Faith in Pride
The Guardian
Amrou al-Kadhi writes of how he and many other Muslims in the LGBT community feel that Pride is more exclusive than it is inclusive.
Moment of Silence Held for Attack near London Mosque
AP News
Family and community members organized a moment of silence for the victims of the attack that took place in the Finsbury Park neighborhood last year.
Why is the UAE’s Bin Zayed So Close to Europe’s Islamophobes?
Middle East Monitor
Abu Dhabi’s crown prince, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, has close ties with autocrats who are openly anti-Muslim.
Leaked State Department MEMO Advised Trump Administration to Push for 'Islamic Reformation'
The Intercept
An official memo from the White House called for an Islamic reformation, which would have first targeted women and children.
1 in 4 Muslim Women in New York Say They've Been Pushed on a Subway Platform While Wearing a Hijab
CNN
A new survey reports troubling statistics regarding religious minorities in New York City.
This Could Completely Change the Face of Refugee Aid
The Washington Post
The issue of funding for the ongoing refugee crisis could be solved by zakat, which is the obligatory payment given by Muslims for charitable purposes.
Soccer Star Mo Salah’s Massive Popularity is Changing Perceptions of Muslims in the UK
Vox
Liverpool player Mohamed Salah has won over many soccer fans while being open with his faith to the public.
Taliban Kill Dozens of Soldiers Despite Government Ceasefire
Al Jazeera
The Taliban killed thirty soldiers after President Ashraf Ghani called for an extension of the Eid ceasefire.
Western Europeans Vary in Their Nationalist, Anti-Immigrant and Anti-Religious Minority Attitudes
Pew Research Center
A new survey shows the different attitudes towards minority groups in which Italy showed the most nationalist, anti-immigrant, and anti-religious minority views.
US Mulls Plans to Hold Congressional Hearing on the Muslim Brotherhood
Al Arabiya
A hearing on the Muslim Brotherhood is in the talks with some White House staff openly stating their plans to declare the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
One Year Marks Brutal Slaying of Muslim Teen
The Final Call
A psychological assessment of Darwin Torres has been appointed to know whether he can be sentenced with a death penalty for the rape and murder of Nabra Hassanen one year ago.
‘Everyone is Beautiful During Eid’
The New York Times
Muslim residents of Zanzibar celebrate Eid al-Fitr with culture, tradition, and joy.
Can a Muslim Perform at the Bataclan in Paris?
Al Jazeera
Rokhaya Diallo argues that Muslim rapper Medine should not be treated as a politician and explains the misinformations and misconceptions spread regarding his music.
Rohingya Surviving in ‘the World’s Largest Refugee Camp’
Al Jazeera
The Kutupalong Camp in Bangladesh now hosts one million Rohingya refugees.
Imprisoned Bahrain Opposition Leader Acquitted in Spy Case
AP News
Sheikh Ali Salman, leader of Bahrain’s opposition group and major figure of the Arab Spring protests, has been acquitted of spying charges.
How Sweden’s Far Right Turned a Pork-less Soccer Tournament into an Attack on Muslims
The Washington Post
Right-wing groups claim that Sweden has been giving into Muslim values after not serving pork at the Gothia Cup.
The Twisted View of Muslim Americans in the Trump Era
Slate
John Side and Dalia Mogahed discuss the dangers of political rhetoric and hate speech.
A Writer Takes On the French Intelligentsia Over Muslims
The New York Times
Paul Berman analyzes Shlomo Sand’s “The End of the French Intellectual” and criticizes his complex views on Islam and Zionism.
On World Refugee Day, Muslim Family Recalls Warmer Welcome in Decades Past
Religion News Service
Bosnian Muslim, Almasa Bass, shares her family’s experience of moving to the United States more than twenty years ago.
Muslim World League Commends Truce Between Afghan Government, Taliban
Al Arabiya
The Muslim World League praised the recent ceasefire between Afghanistan and the Taliban, stating that there should be more effort put in to end the ongoing conflict.
Global Uptick in Government Restrictions on Religion in 2016
Pew Research Center
A new report shows high levels of government restrictions on religious beliefs and practices.
The Power of Mo Salah’s Goal-Scoring Ritual
The Atlantic
At a time of increased Islamophobia, Egyptian soccer player Mo Salah publicly displays his Muslim faith during his post-goal celebration in which he thanks God for his blessings.
New York City’s Muslims, Sikhs Experience High Levels of Harassment: Study
Huffington Post
A new survey shows that nearly half of the Sikh and Muslim community in New York City have experienced harassment.
Britain’s Black Muslims: Ignored, Discriminated and Resisting
Al Jazeera
Despite their importance in Islamic history and large population, Black Muslims are often victims of racism within the Muslim community.
Indonesian Muslim Leader Sentenced to Death over 2016 Attack
Al Jazeera
Aman Abdurrahman has been given a death sentence for his role in the ISIL Jakarta suicide attack.
The Shunned Muslim
Slate
Wajahat Ali’s recent work on the West Bank has caused a great amount of backlash and a controversy that has divided some of the Muslim community.
#BlackOutEid Celebrates Fashion and Black Muslimhood
Paper Magazine
Black Muslims are using social media to celebrate their culture and to take control over their representation.
Suu Kyi says outside hate narratives driving Myanmar tension
AP News
Myanmar leader, Aung San Suu Kyi was quoted in a Facebook post saying that outsiders have driven the Rohingya and Buddhist communities apart.
By Taking a Bullet, a Muslim Woman Finds Her Calling
The New York Times
After a near-death experience, Seyran Ates has dedicated her life to Islam and peacefully fighting against hate.
Three Men Face Hate Crimes Charges in Minnesota Mosque Bombing
AP News
Three Illinois men that were a part of a militia group bombed a mosque to intimidate Muslims and are now facing hate crimes charges.
Quebec City Mosque Shooter 'Not a Monster' Say Parents
The Guardian
Parents of twenty-eight-year-old Alexandre Bissonnette are claiming that their son opened fire at a mosque due to the years of bullying he experienced.
Muslim Community Makes Pitch to House Separated Immigrant Children
WTSP
Muslim leaders in Tampa Bay are hoping to host children that have been separated from their families under Trump’s immigration policy.
Steve King Singles Out Somali Muslims over Pork
Politico
Rep. Steve King said Somali Muslims should not be working at meat-packing plants and claimed that they hope non-Muslims will go to hell for eating pork.
If Moderate Muslims Are Asked to Condemn Extremists, Where Are Moderate Christians on Jeff Sessions?
The Daily Beast
Wajahat Ali criticizes the White House’s defense of the zero tolerance policy. Ali asks moderate Christian Republicans to denounce the policy and the administration.
Facebook Vows to Fight Hate Speech, But It May Be Too Late for Rohingya Muslims
Religion News Service
Facebook’s new plan to fight hate speech comes after Buddhist ultra-nationalism has already grown and spread in Myanmar.
A Michigan Republican Keeps Falsely Accusing His Democrat Opponent of Ties to the Muslim Brotherhood
Vice News
Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic candidate for Michigan governor, is being accused of having affiliations with the Muslim Brotherhood by his opponent Patrick Colbeck. Colbeck is backing his claims with the fact that El-Sayed was vice president of his university’s Muslim Students Association.
Racist Tropes in Ramadan TV Satires Anger Black Arabs
AP News
An Arabic comedy show featured black face during Ramadan. Many people further criticized the history of racism in the Middle East.
Nationalism and Piety Dominate Turkey’s Election
The Conversation
Turkish nationalism and Islam are key factors in the country’s politics, steadily moving away from democracy.
Indonesian Muslim Leader Signals Global Shifts in Meetings with Pence and Netanyahu
Middle East Blog
Yahya Stafuq has stirred controversy since his meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu while he claims that the purpose for his visit was to fight for Palestine’s freedom.
HHS Official Listed Work for Anti-Islam Show, Conspiracy Website on Resume
CNN
Ximena Barreto was moved from her job from the Department of Health and Human Services following the news of her making anti-Muslim comments.
Islamic Reformer to Meet with SPLC President, Demand Explanation for ‘Anti-Muslim Extremist’ Label
National Review
British Muslim reformer, Maajid Nawaz will meet with the Southern Poverty Law Center’s president, Richard Cohen, regarding comments made about Nawaz.
In About-Face, Iraq’s Maverick Al-Sadr Moves Closer to Iran
AP News
After campaigning with a promise to put Iraq first, Muqtada al-Sadr has forged a coalition that will include working with Tehran.
The FBI Is Using Unvetted, Right-Wing Blacklists to Question Activists About Their Support for Palestine
The Intercept
Pro-Palestine activists like Ahmad Aburas have been interrogated by FBI referenced groups that falsely claim that the activists have ties to terrorism.
Israel to Begin Promoting Railway Linking Haifa Seaport with Saudi Arabia
The Times of Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Israel Katz are promoting the “Track for Regional Peace,” which will connect Europe, the Persian Gulf, and Israel.
Mo Salah Considering Quitting Egypt National Team
CNN
Disappointed with the events that took place in Chechnya, Mo Salah may quit his national team to prevent being used as a “political image.”
Saudi Women Take the Wheel at Midnight as Driving Ban Ends
Newsweek
Women in Saudi Arabia expressed their joy and gratitude on Twitter after the driving ban was ended, allowing women to legally drive in the country.