mosques
Trump backs surveillance of mosques
By RNS staff — June 16, 2016
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is calling for surveillance of mosques as part of U.S. law enforcement efforts to prevent terrorism, and standing by his remarks on banning Muslim immigrants, which others in his party have criticized.
Southern Baptist leader defends religious liberty for Muslims
By Adelle M. Banks — June 15, 2016
(RNS) An Arkansas pastor offered a motion calling for the removal from office of SBC leaders who supported the right of Muslims to build mosques.
Hague court weighs destruction of Timbuktu religious sites
By Reuters — March 1, 2016
Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, who prosecutors say belonged to an ally of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, is the first person to be charged with destroying cultural artifacts by the International Criminal Court.
Milan measure restricting the construction of mosques thrown out
By Rosie Scammell — February 25, 2016
ROME (RNS) Italy’s constitutional court on Wednesday (Feb. 24) overturned the rule imposed in the Lombardy region, after the central government intervened saying the measure violated civil rights.
American mosques trying to protect bodies and spirits from hate
By Lauren Markoe — December 15, 2015
(RNS) More security cameras and more security guards can make Muslims feel safer. But so does the reassurance that most Americans support them.
Saudi Arabia stifled true death count in hajj stampede: 2,411
By RNS staff — December 10, 2015
(RNS) The Associated Press counted the deaths in Mina, Saudi Arabia, and found a total that's three times more than Saudi officials have stated.
Most Americans don’t fear Muslims in US, new poll finds
By Reuters — December 6, 2015
The poll, conducted after the California shooting, shows 51 percent of Americans -- including 60 percent of Democrats but only 30 percent of Republicans -- view Muslims in the U.S. the same as any other community,
Muslims prepare for weekend of anti-Islam protests
By Lauren Markoe — October 8, 2015
(RNS) Muslim leaders are reviewing safety procedures with congregants and, in some cases, organizing counterevents in preparation for a weekend of protests planned by groups known for their anti-Muslim views.
‘Hands off my church’ petition plays on French worries about Islam
By Tom Heneghan — July 15, 2015
PARIS (RNS) A casual suggestion by a Muslim leader that unused French churches be turned into mosques has created a national outcry.
Kenyan city of Mombasa tense after mosque closures
By Fredrick Nzwili — November 21, 2014
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) In the first such move in Kenya’s history, the government announced the closure of four mosques in the coastal city of Mombasa, which has been wracked by religious-based violence.
Austrian bill would ban foreign funding for mosques, imams
By Alexei Korolyov — November 20, 2014
VIENNA (RNS) The government argues that the legislation, which Parliament will vote on this month, will help combat Islamic radicalism. Muslim groups and civic activists say it flouts the principle of equality.
In Jerusalem, Jews, Muslims clash over mosque loudspeakers
By Michele Chabin — March 4, 2014
JERUSALEM (RNS) The call of the muezzin, broadcast by loudspeakers on nearly 200 minarets, can be heard across Jerusalem’s hills and valleys, especially in the middle of the night, when the rest of the city is asleep.
Religious, civil rights groups demand investigation of NYPD spying
By Omar Sacirbey — October 25, 2013
(RNS) A coalition of 125 religious, civil rights, and community-based organizations sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice Thursday urging a civil rights investigation into a New York City Police Department program that spies on Muslims.
Former U.S. solider sues NYPD over Muslim surveillance
By Jason Grant — July 11, 2012
(RNS) Syed Farhaj Hassan took a lot of pride in being one of the relatively few Muslim Americans to join the military and then go to war in Iraq. But Hassan said that he’s been “betrayed” by the New York City police department's spying on Muslim communities. By Jason Grant.
Mosque construction continues to attract opposition across U.S.
By Judy Keen / USA Today — May 31, 2012
CHICAGO (RNS) Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks animosity toward Muslims sometimes has taken the form of opposition to construction of mosques and other Islamic facilities. In the last five years, there has been ``anti-mosque activity'' in more than half of U.S. states, according to the ACLU. By Judy Keen.
