[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.]
Muslims in Cairo celebrate the Islamic New Year 1441
VOA
The Muslim Sufi sects of Egypt celebrated the Islamic new year of 1441 in the ancient part of Cairo by the Al-Azhar and Al-Hussain Mosques. Read More
What is Ashura? How this Shiite Muslim holiday inspires millions
The Conversation
As historian Yitzhak Nakash points out, the tragedy of Karbala gives Shiite Muslims a common narrative to pass on to the next generations. And commemorating it in multiple ways is an part of their unique identity. Read More
Boris Johnson’s burqa comments ‘led to surge in anti-Muslim attacks’
The Guardian
After the British Prime Minister compared Muslim Women to letterboxes, there was a 375% increase in Islamophobic incidents in the United Kingdom. Read More
Man Caught On Camera Throwing Rocks At East Mount Airy Mosque Caused $400 In Damages, Police Say
CBS Philly
Camera footage captures man throwing rocks at a Philadelphia mosque. Read More
Sikh Canadian politician goes viral for response to man's anti-Muslim remarks
The Hill
A Sikh Canadian politician was assumed to be Muslim, heckled and accused of hiding his support for sharia. Yet, he responded to hate with grace. Read More
We Muslims Must Fight Anti-Semitism In Our Own Communities
Forward
The author calls attention to the issue of Anti-Semitism among Muslims, as well as Jewish Islamophobia. He argues that ultimately, ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict might be the best way to reduce inter-community tension. Read More
Ex-Mayor Beth Van Duyne, Known for Anti-Sharia Crusade, Running for Congress
Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center presents concern regarding a former mayor in Texas who gained fame from her opposition to “sharia court.” Read More
How India's police force are 'adopting and mirroring' BJP's racist and prejudice beliefs
The New Arab
A study that has been regarded as the first of its kind in India has found “significant bias against Muslims,” with half of the country’s police expressing anti-Muslim feelings. Read More
Myanmar forces Rohingya to accept cards that preclude citizenship - group
Reuters
The government has coerced Rohingya to accept the NVCs, “which effectively identify Rohingya as ‘foreigners’.” Read More
Report: News coverage of Muslims is more negative than of other minority groups
Religion News Service
A new study of how the media covers minorities in the United States finds that depictions of Muslims in the news remain by far the most frequent and the most negative. Read More
A Muslim Marine’s Trauma: I Was Set Up, Arrested and Acquitted
New York Times
A Marine corps veteran describes the discrimination and torture he suffered after being set up while training as a marine. Read More
Judge rules terror watchlist violates rights of Americans on it but punts on next step
CNN
The ruling from Judge Anthony Trenga in the Eastern District of Virginia calls into question federal authorities’ practice of using the list to support decisions on people’s ability to travel. Read More
Muslims in Philadelphia face more housing disadvantages than non-Muslims, report says. Some Philly Muslims don’t see a problem.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
In a new report drawn from a case study of Philadelphia, Muslims were found to face more housing inequality than non-Muslims. This is compounded in the case of Black Muslims, which comprise the majority of Philadelphia’s Muslim community. Read More
Kyrgyzstan Attempts to Isolate Local Islam
The Diplomat
As in many other Post-Communist Muslim countries, the fall of communism brought a greater variance in religious practice, including influence from the Arab Gulf. The government of Kyrgyzstan now seeks to support a moderate Hanafi Sunni Islam. Read More
Burkina Faso: Islamic State and al-Qaeda’s New Sanctuary
International Policy Digest
Burkina-Faso has in the past few years gone from being relatively unbothered by Sahel extremists, to becoming a haven for them, resulting in over 400 casualties. Read More
The Common Threads of Confucianism and Islam
The Hindu Times
Hui Muslims, who slightly outnumber Uighur Muslims in China, have historically had better relations with the Han Chinese, and often adopt more cosmopolitan traditions. Read More
Mali in crisis: The fight between the Dogon and Fulani
Al Jazeera
Fuelling this conflict are armed groups – including al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates – who are stepping in and taking sides. Some have been fighting in the war in Libya. Read More
UN calls for urgent action to end violence in Nigeria
Al Jazeera
Nigeria is currently facing multiple conflicts, from attacks by the armed group Boko Haram to fighting between nomadic herders and farmers. Read More
Despair, Extremism Fester Among Islamic State Wives
Voice of AmericaMore than 70,000 people stay in tents at Al-Hol Camp in northern Syria. The majority of them are women and children from the last IS-controlled areas; many still hope to see a new ‘Caliphate’ emerge in the region. Read More
The calligrapher and the city: Islamic ink at The Met
Daily SabahThe renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will hold an exhibit of Islamic art until November 3rd. Read More
Evictions coming in alcohol-pouring incident at Islamic Center of Tucson
KOLD News !3The University of Arizona is enacting its zero-tolerance policies in regards to an August incident where alcohol was poured from the balconies of an off-campus housing complex onto the basketball court of the neighboring Mosque. Read More
Why Kosovo keeps extending blind support to Israel
Al JazeeraFor over a decade, Kosovo’s political elite has been courting Israel, hoping to get its political support. Despite Tel Aviv’s refusal to recognize Kosovan independence, Kosovan officials have persisted with the charm offensive. Read More
A man in Islamic dress told a Starbucks employee his name was Aziz. She put 'ISIS’ on the cup
Washington PostNiquel Johnson, of Philadelphia, is considering legal action after he belives his Muslim dress led to his drinks being labeled with the acronym of the infamous terror group. Read More
Alaska reaches settlement in case brought by Muslim inmates
Associated PressThe Alaska Department of Corrections has agreed to policy changes to accommodate Muslim inmates who wish to practice their religion, settling a lawsuit brought last year. Read More
Islamic authorities in Malaysian state denounce Shi'ites in sermon
ReutersReligious authorities in a Malaysian state denounced Shi’ite Islam on Friday and asked mosques to call in sermons on their congregations to be vigilant over the spread of the “deviant teachings” of the Shi’ite sect. Read More
Pope picks new cardinals, putting his stamp on Church's future
ReutersPope Francis appointed 13 new cardinals in a surprise move on Sunday, again putting his stamp on the future of a Church he wants to be more open as most of those named are considered progressive on social issues. Read More
Hundreds march against Bosnia's first LGBT pride parade
ABC NewsSeveral hundred people marched in Bosnia’s capital Saturday to show their disapproval of a weekend LGBT pride parade that will be the country’s first. Read More
Senegal's scandalous soap: can TV drama drive change for women?
ReutersSenegal’s hit TV series “Mistress of a Married Man”, has people talking about rape, domestic violence and women’s sexuality in a mostly Muslim West African country where such topics are taboo. Read More
How the British Empire abandoned its most vocal Muslim supporter
TRT WorldAbdullah Yusuf Ali wrote perhaps the most famous translation of the Quran but he also supported the British against the Ottomans and died a lonely man. Read More
China passes law to ‘make Islam more compatible with socialism’ amid outcry over Muslim abuse
The IndependentChina has announced plans to make Islam “more compatible with socialism”, amid growing fears about a crackdown on the country’s Muslims. Read More
A Sound-and-Art Show Fills a Void for Muslims in Brooklyn
New York TimesAfter finding next to no representation of Muslims in the Brooklyn Historical Society’s archive, Nsenga Knight and other oral historians sought to change that. Their work culminates in a new sound-and art exhibition called “An Opening,” including art by Kameelah Janan Rasheed. Read More
Iranian Woman Denied Soccer Stadium Access Dies after Setting Herself on Fire
CNNAfter being denied entry into a stadium, arrested, and jailed on account of her gender, an Iranian soccer fan was left so devastated that she self-immolated, and died of her injuries. Read More
Banned Nigerian Shia Group Alleges Police Killed 12 Marchers
Al JazeeraA Nigerian Shia group banned by the government said police killed 12 members and wounded 10 others during marches in the north of the country to mark the religious commemoration known as Ashoura. Read More
Muharram 2019: Muslims Around the World Participate in Muharram Procession
News 18A collection of thirty-six images showing the commemoration of Muharram among Shii Muslims in the Middle East and South Asia. Read More
US: New exhibition depicts 'war on terror' from Muslim eyes
Middle East Eye18 years after the terror attacks of 9/11, the Justice for Muslims Collective in Washington D.C. presents an art installment of the timeline of Islamophobic policies at the heart of the “war on terror.” Read More
We Deported Him to a Land He’d Never Seen, and Now He’s Dead
New York TimesA medically frail Iraqi-American was deported to Iraq, where he had never been before. Knowing no one and unable to secure medication on which his life depended, he died. Read More
Baptist church cancels 9/11 anti-Islam event after backlash from legislators, Christian scholars
Washington PostA Michigan-based Baptist church canceled its anti-Islam 9/11 event on the eve of the anniversary after criticism from lawmakers and Christian scholars alike. Read More
Fox suspended Pirro over her anti-Muslim bigotry against Rep. Ilhan Omar. The problem goes deeper than that
Media MattersExecutives at Fox can’t and won’t admit to suspending Pirro because it would create a domino effect that could strike at the heart of their hate-for-profit scam. Read More
When Islam Is Not a Religion in America
Christianity TodayIf Islam is not a religion—if it is a militant ideological system, for example—then some argue it is not subject to First Amendment protection. Read More
This is how an event more than 1,300 years ago today sparked the birth of Isis
IndependentThough Islam has little to do with the historical acts committed in its name, the preoccupation with the existence of a Caliphate is a much older phenomenon than many realize. Read More
Defending human rights in Thailand
RapplerMartial law had been imposed at the time in the country’s largely-Muslim south, host to an ethnic separatist insurgency. Authorities were accused of torturing Thai Muslims to force confessions from them. Read More
Bangladesh, growing tired of hosting Rohingya refugees, puts new squeeze on the teeming camps
Washington PostAfter conflicts with natives and resource shortages, Bangladesh is putting pressure on its more than 750,000 Rohingya refugees. Read More
From India to China, the world's Muslims are being put into concentration camps
IndependentYears of global inaction against discrimination prove that economic interests trump speaking out. It’ll be business as usual for the likes of India, China, Saudi Arabia and more. Read More
Vincent Fuller: White supremacist jailed for launching far-right terror attack a day after Christchurch shootings
IndependentMan stabbed Bulgarian teenager in Tesco car park after attacking cars with non-white drivers in Stanwell, Surrey. Read More
David Parnham: White supremacist behind ‘Punish a Muslim Day’ responsible for years of malicious letter campaigns
IndependentDavid Parnham, 36, is facing prison after admitting offenses including soliciting murder, encouraging crime, bomb, and noxious substance hoaxes, and sending letters with intent to cause distress. Read More
The World 9/11 Took From Us
New York TimesThe author, 11 years old at the time of the attacks, describes his experiences growing up under the shadow of 9/11. Read More
Schools a New Tool of Turkish Influence in Albania
Balkan InsightThe Maarif Foundation, a tool of Turkish President Erdogan, is expanding its presence in Albania, and not everyone is pleased. Read More
Applying 9/11 laws to domestic terrorism could hurt minorities more than white supremacists
USA TodayWe must fight white nationalist violence. But expanding our terrorism laws would only entrench an unfair and unaccountable legal regime. Read More
Chechen Diplomacy: How Kadyrov’s appearance at UFC 242 advances two of his political goals
Bloody ElbowOver the past decade, Ramzan Kadyrov has emerged not only as one of the most influential political figures in Russia, but also as a face representing nearly 20 million Russian Muslims. Read More
Like Syrians now, my Family Fled Liberia as Refugees. Unlike Syrians, America Welcomed us.
USA TodayToure outlines the importance not only of welcoming refugees, but of preventing and/or ending the wars that create them. Read More
Hijabi Ballers Inspire Raptors to Sell Branded Sports Hijab, the First of its Kind in NBA
The StarThe inspiration to release the hijab came from the Hijabi Ballers, Ferguson said, referring to a group of young Muslim women in Toronto who play basketball every Sunday, and advocate for increased participation of Muslim women in sports. Read More
Pakistan is no friend of Kashmir, either
Al JazeeraWhile the world indeed needs to take action on ongoing crackdown and rights abuses in India, it should not overlook the role Pakistan has played in the Kashmiri tragedy. Read More
'Easy pickings': In Tunisia's interior, neglect leaves youth ripe for indoctrination
Middle East EyeAbandoned by the state, Tunisians in the country’s poorest region say IS is winning the hearts and minds of disillusioned locals in a deceptively simple way. Read More
Hamza Yusuf issues apology for 'hurting feelings' with Syria comments
Middle East EyeIt was announced in June that Yusuf would be joining US State Department’s Commission on Unalienable Rights, which drew even more flak from US Muslims Read More
'Did you meet with terrorists?' NJ mayor says officers questioned him at airport, took his phone
North Jersey JournalMuslim Americans say they’ve been singled out, detained and interrogated at airports – and elected officials are no exception. Read More
CAIR ‘Appalled’ by Appointment of Trump’s New Acting National Security Adviser Who Served on Board of Anti-Muslim Hate Group
CAIRFrom 2001 to 2010, Kupperman served on the board of the Center for Security Policy (CSP), an organization headed by notorious Islamophobe and conspiracy theorist Frank Gaffney. Read More
Zulfat Suara claims victory, becoming first Muslim elected to Nashville city government
Fox 17Unofficial election results show Zulfat Suara has won a seat for Nashville Metro Council at large, making history. Read More
TV needs to stop ’empowering’ Muslim women by removing their hijabs
Metro UKA show that depicts a young Muslim woman acgiving freedom and desirabity by removing her hijab and drinking alcohol has earned the criticism of many Muslim women. Read More
2 Muslim teachers fired from Canadian schools for refusing to remove headscarves
Daily SabahTwo Muslim teachers in Canada’s second-largest city Montreal were fired from their jobs after refusing to remove their headscarves at work over a recent controversial law to ban public employees from wearing religious symbols, local media reported Monday. Read More
Interfaith marriages still a rarity in the Muslim world
Deutsche WelleAfter a high-profile interfaith Lebanese wedding in Cyprys, one German reporter investigates the reasons that interfaith marriages are rare in the “Muslim World.” Read More
Court rejects bid to stop Muslim family representing sick girl
The GuardianA British Muslim family finds themselves in a difficult position after they are prevented from moving their daughter, who is on life support, to Italy for treatment. Read More
The cultural heritage of China's Muslim community
The Daily StandardThe Chinese tapestry of Islam is a colorful and variant one, spread among 10 of China’s over 55 ethnic groups, encompassing different interpretations, traditions, cultures, and languages. Read More
Say a prayer: the Muslim woman who photographed Bradford's last synagogue
The GuardianNudrat Afza, a Muslim single mother who – despite never being able to afford her own camera – is about to exhibit a series of photographs documenting the dwindling population of Bradford’s last remaining synagogue. Read More
Lifestyle website for Muslim teens is covertly funded by the Home Office
The GuardianTwo SuperSisters employees resign after discovering links to counter-extremism strategy Read More
Parallels Between the Central Park 5 and the Minnesota “ISIS Trials”
We Are UbuntuThe notion of who is and who is not criminal is something that evolves over time, and the super predators of yesterday have been replaced with the terrorists of today. Dr. Yusef Salaam’s recent visit to Minneapolis was a reminder that we need to be constantly vigilant about the criminalization of Black youth. Read More
Who is a 'Muslim American?'
Al JazeeraThe fact that despicable Islamophobes hate us and we hate them 10 times back cannot be the sole force of determining who and what we are. Read More
India’s massive, scary new detention camps, explained
VoxThe Indian government stripped citizenship from 2 million people, mostly Muslims. Now it wants to put them in camps. Read More
Thai PM defends police monitoring of Muslim university students
ReutersThailand’s prime minister on Tuesday defended police for requesting information about minority Muslim students from universities around the country, after criticism of the move as discriminatory and illegal. Read More
Pakistan temple attack: Muslim locals offer support to Hindus
Gulf NewsGhotki residents helped guard the vandalized temple against further attacks from extremists. Read More
Islamic studies lecturer held for a year in one of Iran’s harshest prisons
NY PostKylie Moore-Gilbert, who studied at Cambridge University and lectured at Melbourne University, has been held at Iran’s notoriously harsh Evin Prison for almost a year and has been slapped with a 10-year sentence, the Australian government told The Independent. Read More
Muslim, Jewish leaders team up in 'exemplary' European initiative
Deutsche WelleImams and rabbis from across Europe are attending a summit in Italy organized by the Muslim Jewish Leadership Council. Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and right-wing populism are all topics they’d like to address better. Read More
Mosquers film fest shines spotlight on Muslim women in arts
CBC CanadaThe one-day event showcases the diverse Muslim experience through short films in an effort to change how people perceive Muslims in film, said Sofia Alani, the festival’s external events director. Read More
Mass Stampede At Iraqi Shia Shrine Kills More Than 30 Pilgrims
NPRA mass stampede at a Shia Muslim shrine in the Iraqi city of Karbala left at least 31 people dead and about 100 injured. Ten of the injured are in critical condition, according to local officials, and the death toll could rise. Read More
Tajikistan: Imams do government's bidding – and building
Eurasia NETThe constitution of Tajikistan speaks explicitly about the separation between religion and state. The authorities have long disregarded this principle, however, and Islamic clerics make little secret that they are an adjunct of the government. Read More
World’s religious leaders urge co-operation to ‘fight against prejudice’
The NationalImams, rabbis, and bishops gather in Paris to usher in a new era of religious discussion. Read More
Mississauga’s Sisterhood Softball League encourages Muslim women to play ball
The StarSince 2016, it has given Muslim women the opportunity to play softball in a safe environment. Read More
Muslim faith group honors 9/11 victims with blood drive in St. Paul
Minnesota Public RadioThe state chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community set up booths inviting community members to donate blood on the 18th anniversary of 9/11. It’s part of a national campaign to collect 10,000 pints of blood across the country. Read More
For Muslims wrestling with substance abuse, it’s often a silent struggle
Minnesota Public RadioCommunity members are trying to discuss addiction openly, normalize treatment and provide culturally competent counseling. Read More
World Uyghur Congress slams Pakistan PM Imran Khan for his ‘silence’ on Uyghur Muslims issue in China
Times Now NewsWorld Uyghur Congress said that it was a matter of shame that Islamabad was silent on China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims. Read More
Rohingya still in Myanmar face 'threat of genocide': United Nations
ReutersHundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who remain inside Myanmar face systematic persecution and are living under the threat of genocide, a U.N. fact-finding mission said on Monday, repeating calls for top generals to face trial. Read More
Where Christians are banned from selling property to Muslims
BBCIn Lebanon, a Muslim Shia family was asked to leave its house because it was in a Christian neighborhood. Read More
Couple Separated By The Muslim Ban Reunited After HuffPost Report
Huffington PostRamez Alghazzouli and Asmaa Khadem Al Arbaiin say they believe this site’s coverage helped put pressure on the State Department. Read More
Report: Muslims Most Negatively Portrayed Minority in US Media
The BridgeThe portrayal of minority groups in mainstream media can have a disparate impact on how they are viewed by the general public. In the eighteen years since 9/11, the American Muslim community has borne the collective brunt of negative media portrayals from cable news to Hollywood movies. Read More
Stopping Islamophobia means recognizing its racism. Interfaith panel talks solutions for hate
Times Free PressEnding Islamophobia in the United States requires recognizing that the hatred of Muslims is rooted in cultural racism and is part of a national system that marginalizes people of the faith, said Todd Green, associate professor of religion at Luther College. Read More
Whistleblower says Facebook auto-generated pages for Islamic State, al-Qaida
USA TodayThe social networking company appears to have made little progress on the issue in the four months since The Associated Press detailed how pages that Facebook auto-generates for businesses are aiding Middle East extremists and white supremacists in the United States. Read More
Fire at Islamic School in Liberia Kills at Least 27, Police Say
New York TimesA fire at an Islamic school outside the Liberian capital has killed at least 27 people, the police there said on Wednesday, adding that it was likely that many of the victims were children. Read More
Muslim girls rock, but not about religion
Nikkei Asian ReviewIndonesian band Voice of Baceprot has a different story to tell. Read More
Muslim Brooklyn Inmate Denied Ramadan Meals Files $10M Lawsuit
The PatchA man held at the Brooklyn House of Detention is suing correction officers he says didn’t give him meals needed for the religious holiday. Read More
CAIR records more than 10,000 anti-Muslim bias incidents in US since 2014
TRT WorldMuslim civil liberties group links the 2017 spike in anti-Muslim harassment by individuals and government agencies to President Trump’s Muslim travel ban. Read More
Artist hangs 440 shoes off a building to show how many women were killed by their husbands
Metro UKDomestic violence is a major issue around the world, with many women suffering abuse, and in some cases death, at the hands of their partners. Read More
Why many Muslims treat Bernie Sanders like a rock star
LA TimesSanders has maintained a fervent following as he campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination and tries to attract key voting blocs such as African Americans and Latinos. He has found success among a smaller group rarely on the radar for White House hopefuls: Muslims. Read More
Why American Muslims lean leftwards for 2020
The EconomistIslam’s followers are not so much firebrands as nomads in search of a home. Read More
The U.N. Secretary-General Says He Has Taken a Forceful Stance on China's Treatment of Muslims
TIMESecretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly rejected claims by five human rights groups that he hasn’t condemned the Chinese government’s detention of more than a million Muslims in the Xinjiang region, saying he has spoken out forcefully. Read More
2 Muslim men say American Airlines canceled flight after crew 'didn’t feel comfortable'
USA TodayAmerican Airlines has been criticized before over its treatment of passengers who are people of color. Read More
British Muslims launch first ever pride festival
Metro UKBritish Muslims are launching their first ever pride festival at a time when the community is ‘under attack more than ever’. Read More
With ‘Day of Dignity’ event, Muslim group gives ‘a blessing’ to West Baltimore neighborhood
Baltimore SunOutside Masjid al Haqq, more than two dozen residents were already lined up when the event began at 11 a.m. Volunteers handed them bags full of apples, honey, canned soup and tuna. Read More
Turkey’s first lady meets with women leaders of US Muslim community
Daily SabahFirst lady Emine Erdoğan met with female representatives of the U.S. Muslim community on Sunday in New York, where she is part of a Turkish delegation to the 74th United Nations General Assembly. Read More
Tunisia ex-president Ben Ali buried in Muslim holy city of Medina
France 24Ben Ali, who died Thursday in the city of Jeddah, was laid to rest at Al-Baqi cemetery next to the Prophet Mohammed’s mosque — a place of great reverence for Muslims. Read More
Virginia jail ends ‘God Pod’ after Muslim inmates sue
APA Virginia jail has ended a program which inmates dubbed the “God Pod” after a lawsuit alleged the program provided favorable treatment to Christians and discriminated against Muslims. Read More
Women's March accused of Islamophobia as CAIR's Zahra Billoo is forced out
The GuardianLawyer and activist is the latest high profile Muslim woman to be removed from the board following a smear campaign in which she was accused of antisemitism. Read More
Civil rights group: Airline forced girl, 12, to remove hijab
APA Muslim civil rights advocacy group is demanding changes at Air Canada after a 12-year-old U.S. Squash Team player says she was forced to remove her hijab while boarding at San Francisco International Airport. Read More
Indonesian president postpones plans to outlaw extramarital sex
The GuardianIndonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, has ordered his government to postpone the ratification of a deeply controversial criminal code that would outlaw living together outside marriage, extramarital sex and insulting the president. Read More
Ministers accused of 'radio silence' over LGBT school protests
The GuardianThe former integration tsar, Dame Louise Casey, has accused ministers of “radio silence” over protests against the teaching of LGBT equality at a Birmingham school. Read More
A Crackdown on Islam Is Spreading Across China
New York TimesIn China’s northwest, the government is stripping the most overt expressions of the Islamic faith from a picturesque valley where most residents are devout Muslims. The authorities have destroyed domes and minarets on mosques, including one in a small village near Linxia, a city known as “Little Mecca.” Read More
In San Diego, Muslims Question Rollout of City’s ‘Smart’ Streetlights
Religion NewsLocal civil rights activists and minority community leaders have raised questions about the potential for the smart streetlights — which are equipped with cameras, mics and sensors to collect data for city planning purposes and traffic control — to be used to invade San Diegans’ privacy. Read More
China is Killing Religious and Ethnic Minorities and Harvesting their Organs, UN Human Rights Council Told
The IndependentSpeaking at the council’s headquarters in Geneva on Tuesday, lawyer Hamid Sabi presented the findings of the China Tribunal, an independent tribunal on allegations of forced organ harvesting. Read More
Tech Companies Join Muslim Groups in Support of Historic Bill to End Travel Ban
Religion NewsAhead of a congressional hearing this week on the Trump administration’s travel ban, more than a dozen leading technology companies, including Twitter and Airbnb, have thrown their support behind a congressional bill to end the controversial measure. Read More
American Jews and American Muslims Have a Common Antagonist
New York TimesHomegrown nativists strongly dislike both groups, which ought to help them work toward mutual understanding. Read More
Sinéad O’Connor: ‘I’ve been Muslim my Whole Life and didn’t Even Know It’
Metro UKThe 52-year-old singer converted to Islam in 2018 and changed her name to Shuhada Davitt and has explained that once she read the Quran – the central religious text of Islam – she knew Islam was the religion for her. Read More
Kashmir in Focus at Muslim Day Parade in New York
Al JazeeraOrganizers estimate nearly 3,000 people attended annual parade, which focused on security lockdown in Kashmir. Read More
UN General Assembly 2019: All the Latest Updates
Al JazeeraThe meeting comes amid simmering tension in the Middle East over recent attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities, which the United States blames on Iran, allegations Tehran denies. Read More
Myanmar Military Chief seeks Muslim Redemption
Asia TimesMin Aung Hlaing, accused of war crimes against Rohingya Muslims, has evidently had a change of heart. Read More
Sonny Bill Williams Fumes after Instagram Deletes pictures of Muslim Rugby Star Praying before World Cup Clash
Mirror UKThe New Zealand star was not happy after the social media website took down the images shortly after they were posted. Read More
A church, a Synagogue and a Mosque to Share Interfaith Complex in Abu Dhabi
Fox NewsThe United Arab Emirates unveiled plans this weekend for an interfaith complex in Abu Dhabi that will unite a church, a synagogue and a mosque. Read More
Despite Muslim Ban, President Trump Says 'Religious Freedom' is One of his Highest Priorities
MSNBCOn Monday at the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump said: “Protecting religious freedom is one of my highest priorities and always has been.” Morning Joe points out that these remarks contradict President Trump’s Muslim ban. Read More
Muslim Americans Testify on Effects of Trump's Travel Ban
Al JazeeraHouse panels hold the first congressional hearing on the effects of the ban on nationals from several Muslim-majority countries. Read More
GOP Brings Expert From Hate Group to House’s First-Ever Hearing on Trump’s Muslim Ban
The Daily BeastThe hearing was in essence a microcosm of the competing values of the two parties. Read More
‘Islam is RIGHT About Women’ Flyers Spark Concern in Winchester
7 News BostonResidents in Winchester are debating free speech versus hate speech after flyers reading “Islam is RIGHT About Women” were found plastered around town. Read More
Feds Cite Islam Focus in review of Duke-UNC Language Grant
APThe Trump administration is threatening to cut funding for a Middle East studies program run by the University of North Carolina and Duke University, arguing that it’s misusing a federal grant to advance “ideological priorities” and unfairly promote “the positive aspects of Islam” but not Christianity or Judaism. Read More
Alala’s Debut ‘Twenty’ Explores Struggles in Sudan
VarietyWhen a prophecy from a traveling sheik portends that a young Sudanese boy will die at the age of 20, he and his mother are faced with the difficult task of navigating the space between coming of age and confronting the end. Read More
US: Airstrike against Islamic State in Libya Kills 11
NY PostThe US military says it has carried out an airstrike against the Islamic State group in Libya, the second US airstrike in the North African country in less than a week. Read More
China Wants the World to Stay Silent on Muslim Camps. It’s Succeeding.
NY TimesThe world has been noticeably quiet about Xinjiang, where China has built a vast network of detention camps and systematic surveillance over the past two years in a state-led operation to convert Uighurs into loyal, secular supporters of the Communist Party. Read More
U.S. Terrorism Policy Paved the Way for China’s Repression
Foreign PolicyU.S.-favored policies in Central Asia must be rolled back to help save the Uighur people. Read More
The Network of Hindu Nationalists Behind Modi’s “Diaspora Diplomacy” in the U.S.
The InterceptThe fanfare surrounding the Indian prime minister’s visit was jarring in light of recent moves by Modi and the BJP that have had calamitous consequences for Muslims in India. Read More
Muslim Woman Sues Virginia Company, Says they didn't Hire her over Prayer Breaks
NBCA request for two five-minute prayer breaks allegedly ended Shahin Indorewala’s application, she claims in a discrimination lawsuit. Read More
Analysis: To Combat Islamophobia, Khan bridges East and West
APHe spoke of Islam—his religion—but he used references like Charles Bronson’s “Death Wish” movie, Monty Python and Japanese kamikaze pilots during World War II. He built linguistic and pop-culture bridges as he carefully made his points. Read More
Harry and Meghan visit South Africa’s Oldest Mosque on Tour
APMeghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and her husband, Prince Harry, have visited South Africa’s oldest mosque as their first official tour as a family continues for a second day. Read More
Saudi Arabia implements Public Decency Code as it Opens to Tourists
ReutersSaudi Arabia said on Saturday it would issue fines for 19 offenses related to public decency, such as immodest dress and public displays of affection, as the Muslim kingdom opens up to foreign tourists. Read More
Why Democratic Presidential Candidates Need to Listen to American Muslims
The NationWe’re a significant voting bloc in key battleground states—and we have discovered the power of our collective voice. Read More
Halal If You Hear Me to Showcase Diversity in Islam
Al-JazeeraPoetry book aims to show there are as many ways to be an American Muslim as there are Muslim people. Read More
French Montana’s Niqab Artwork is well-meaning, but Reinforces a Tired Trope
Gal-DemThis week, French Montana has been the receiving end of widespread criticism over the artwork for his forthcoming album, Montana. The cover for the release features him sitting with three women on either side of him, all of whom are wearing black niqab (face veils) and thigh-high, bright red boots. Read More
Senegal Inaugurates Largest Mosque in West Africa
Daily SabahThe mosque has been built by the Mouride Brotherhood — part of the Sufi strand of Islam that predominates in Senegal, a country with a long tradition of religious tolerance. Read More
The Promise of Reconciling Political Islam and Democracy
Washington PostThis piece is not about his decency, his integrity or his chilling murder. It is simply a reminder of the promise that Jamal offered: the chance to reconcile political Islam and liberal democracy. Read More
'Large Increase in anti-Bosnian, anti-Muslim bigotry': Report
Al JazeeraSerb and Croat politicians are increasingly using Islamophobic rhetoric with aim of dividing Bosnia, says new report. Read More
The Imam who Died Fighting Racism in South Africa
BBCImam Haron was the first cleric of any faith to die in custody under the apartheid regime. His death signaled that even men of God were not safe from an increasingly repressive, white-supremacist state. Read More
Challenging Islamophobia? An Event at Conference Tells me the Tories don’t Care
The GuardianThe party I chaired worked to improve diversity but a divisive meeting at the weekend shows how much it has deteriorated. Read More
'Afraid We Will Become The Next Xinjiang': China's Hui Muslims Face Crackdown
NPRThe same restrictions that preceded the Xinjiang crackdown on Uighur Muslims are now appearing in Hui-dominated regions. NPR has learned that since April 2018, Hui mosques have been forcibly renovated or shuttered, schools demolished, and religious community leaders imprisoned. Read More
Anti-Muslim Racism in Europe on Rise in 2018: Report
Andalou AgencyAnkara-based think tank releases report, underlines dynamics that support Islamophobia in Europe. Read More
Muslim Teen Who Was Hit And Smeared As ‘ISIS’ Wasn’t Protected By School, Mom Says
Huffington PostFor months, Safadi’s son not only endured physical violence by bullies at his school but abuse of a more specific kind, based on his religion and ethnicity. Read More
A Broken Muslim Brotherhood Struggles for Relevance
Financial TimesCairo blames the Islamist group for inciting protests across Egypt, but few believe the divided movement still wields such influence. Read More
Modi’s Mass Muslim Detention Scheme
JacobinNarendra Modi’s hard-right agenda is rolling on, unimpeded by significant opposition in India. His latest attack: on 1.9 million undocumented people, with the intention of displacing Bengali Muslims from northeastern India. Read More
Bosnia Ordered To Remove Church From Muslim Woman’s Property
Radio Free EuropeThe ruling, announced by the ECHR on October 1, likely will end a long legal battle initiated by Fata Orlovic and 13 members of her family who escaped the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, only to find a large church built just meters from their front door. Read More
Dutch Laws Increasingly Target Muslims’ Rights
Daily SabahA series of laws recently enacted in the Netherlands have increased discrimination against Muslims and the violation of their rights, Dutch academics are warning. Read More
Muslim Community Backs Plans to Retrospectively Give Planning Permission to Part of Cemetery
Worchester NewsMore than 135 supportive comments have been submitted to the council from the city’s Muslim community backing the plan, calling it much-needed as the cemetery is quickly running out of space. Read More
Identity and Islam
University of DelawareIn the days, months and years after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Muqtedar Khan found himself grappling with an unrelenting question of faith and identity: “If al-Qaeda, ISIS, and all the human rights violations committed in the name of Islam are not my faith,” he would ask himself, “then what is?” Read More
Anti-Semitism vs. Islamophobia: How Language Creates Hierarchies of Discrimination and Whitewashes Bigotry
MondoweissSo my question is: why is an anti-Semite not called a “Semitophobe?” And an Islamophobe not an “anti-Muslim?” And what is that even supposed to mean, “afraid of Islam?” Read More
New Revelations about Islamic Reform Schools in Nigeria Paint Horrifying Picture of Physical, Sexual Abuse
CBS NewsHorrific revelations of torture and abuse at a compound billing itself as a Koranic reform school in northern Nigeria have shone a spotlight on Islamic institutes unregulated by the authorities. Read More
Muslim Women Attacked at anti-Hate Event in Germany
Daily SabahThe event was meant to raise awareness on increasing anti-Muslim sentiments in the country and was organized by the Turkish-Muslim association (IGMG). Read More
US Military Shows Appalling Disregard for Civilians Killed in Somalia Air Strike
Amnesty InternationalAn investigation by Amnesty International has revealed that three men killed in a US military airstrike in March after being targeted as “Al-Shabaab terrorists” were in fact civilian farmers with no evidence of links to the armed group. Read More
International Criminal Court puts Mali War Crimes Suspect to Trial
ReutersThe judges confirmed the charges against Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz and said there were substantial grounds to believe that he was responsible for crimes including rape, torture, sexual slavery and the directing of attacks against religious and historical buildings. Read More
Lebanon Slammed for Deporting Undocumented Syrian Refugees
Al JazeeraLebanon is being criticised for its decision to send back Syrian refugees who arrived after April without proper documentation as another way of pressuring Syrians to return home. Read More
Uncovering Secrets of Mystery Civilization in Saudi Arabia
BBCA team of researchers is carrying out the first in-depth archaeological survey of part of Saudi Arabia, in a bid to shed light on a mysterious civilization that once lived there. The Nabataean culture left behind sophisticated stone monuments, but many sites remain unexplored. Read More
Bangladesh: March in Solidarity with Kashmir
Andalou AgencyProtesters gathered in Dhaka after Friday prayer, demanding restoration of special status of Indian-administered Kashmir. Read More