Islam
Woman now thought to be Afghanistan’s last Jew flees country
By Ilan Ben Zion and Llazar Semini — October 29, 2021
JERUSALEM (AP) — For years, Zebulon Simentov branded himself as the “last Jew of Afghanistan,” the sole remnant of a centuries-old community. He charged reporters for interviews and held court in Kabul’s only remaining synagogue. He left the country last month for Istanbul after the Taliban seized power. Now it appears he was not the […]
Tehran holds first public Friday Prayers in almost 2 years
By Associated Press — October 22, 2021
Organizers said beforehand that all health protocols would be followed to protect the expected hundreds of worshippers during the ceremony at Tehran University.
Hindus denounce violence amid attacks in Bangladesh
By Julhas Alam — October 18, 2021
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Protests continued Monday in Bangladesh’s capital to denounce a wave of violence against Hindus following an image posted on social media that was perceived as insulting to the country’s Muslim majority. New attacks took place Sunday night in a northern village, where unidentified people burned up to 26 homes of Hindus […]
‘Dune’ novels draw on Islamic motifs and have in turn inspired Muslim artists
By Joseph Hammond — October 18, 2021
(RNS) — The original series of 'Dune' novels is heavily influenced by ecology and sociology — as well as imagery from the Islamic world and the Middle East.
China crackdown on Apple store hits holy book apps, Audible
By Matt O'brien — October 15, 2021
Amazon’s audiobook service Audible and phone apps for reading the holy books of Islam and Christianity have disappeared from the Apple store in mainland China, the latest examples of the impact of the country’s tightened rules for internet firms. Audible said Friday that it removed its app from the Apple store in mainland China last […]
Indian police detain hundreds amid violence in Kashmir
By Associated Press — October 11, 2021
SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Government forces have detained at least 500 people in a sweeping crackdown in Indian-controlled Kashmir, local officials said Sunday, following a string of suspected militant attacks and targeted killings in the disputed region. Assailants fatally shot three Hindus and a Sikh person in the region’s main city of Srinagar this week […]
Sailors, Marines seek religious accommodation to wear beards
By Joseph Hammond — October 1, 2021
(RNS) — One Orthodox Jewish sailor and three Muslim sailors joined in a lawsuit alleging the Navy’s beard policy amounts to a violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
How the world’s biggest Islamic organization drives religious reform in Indonesia – and seeks to influence the Muslim world
By Ahmet T. Kuru — September 27, 2021
(The Conversation) — Nahdlatul Ulama is the world’s biggest Islamic organization, initiating a reform movement, which it is calling ‘Humanitarian Islam.’
Illinois passes legislation to allow student athletes to wear hijab without waivers
By Emily McFarlan Miller — September 24, 2021
(RNS) — The Inclusive Athletic Attire Act allows all student athletes to modify their uniforms in keeping with their religion, culture or personal preferences for modesty.
Muslim groups boycott Hilton over bulldozed Xinjiang mosque
By Joseph Hammond — September 23, 2021
(RNS) — ‘They decided to put profit over values, they decided to put their own bottom line over human rights and values,’ said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
Trump is gone, but Muslim federal workers say reforms are still needed
By Joseph Hammond — September 17, 2021
(RNS) — Muslim Americans in Public Service has published a set of 12 recommendations to improve working conditions for Muslims in public service.
Comparing Texas’ abortion ban to Islamic law is inaccurate, perpetuates Islamophobia, experts say
By Alejandra Molina — September 3, 2021
(RNS) — While opinions vary over when a pregnancy can be terminated, there is no complete ban on a woman's right to end a pregnancy under Islamic law, experts say.
Antisemitic and anti-Muslim content is flourishing on TikTok, report finds
By Alejandra Molina — August 27, 2021
(RNS) — The Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a London-based nonprofit that tracks extremism online, released a report Aug. 24 that found TikTok 'operates as a new arena for violence-endorsing, hateful ideologies.'
New podcast finds ‘work-life-faith balance’ for modern Muslim parents
By Joseph Hammond — August 24, 2021
(RNS) — Unlike in other parenting podcasts, ‘discipline’ is as likely to mean spiritual accountability as toddler timeouts.
What is Ashura? How this Shiite Muslim holiday inspires millions
By Noorzehra Zaidi — August 18, 2021
(The Conversation) – Many Muslims mark the commemoration of a martyr by working for social justice.
