NEWS BRIEF
RNS-Canada-Spy: Former Canadian spy claims her Muslim faith led to suspicions from her own side
(RNS) — A former intelligence officer has accused Canada’s top spy agency of discrimination. Huda Mukbil says she was discriminated against while a member of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service because of her Muslim faith and said the treatment posed a national security threat to Canada. By Joseph Hammond. 430 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-CRT-Colorblind: God and country nonprofit run by former Trump official sees CRT as threat to ‘colorblind society’
(RNS) — A former Trump official says critical race theory undermines the idea of an equal and colorblind society and has been a behind the scene leader in battles over CRT in churches and local school board. At least one critic sees parallels between the anti-CRT movement and the anti-Sharia movement of a decade ago. Both turned previously little known concepts into national boogeymen.By Bob Smietana 1400 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Quaker-Wars: In military authorization vote, Quakers claim a victory
WASHINGTON (RNS) — As with most legislative victories, many organizations played a role in the 268-161 House vote to repeal the 2002 AUMF, which originally authorized then-President George W. Bush’s invasion of Iraq. But few focused on the issue longer or more doggedly than the FCNL, which has toiled for years to stop what it describes as the “endless wars” launched by the United States. As the AUMF repeal effort moves to the Senate, activists are celebrating the culmination of decades of quiet — but persistent — faith-rooted activism. By Jack Jenkins. 1450 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-UCC-Synod: United Church of Christ prepares to meet virtually, unveil new racial justice initiative
(RNS) — This year’s UCC Special Edition 2021 General Synod will be held virtually from July 11 to 18. It comes as a number of Protestant denominations resume meeting this summer after the COVID-19 pandemic upended plans in 2020 — but don’t expect the mainline denomination to debate CRT. By Emily McFarlan Miller. 650 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Burge-Oped: The cost of leaving Islam for American Muslims
(RNS) — According to the sample collected from members of the Ex-Muslims of North America, the likelihood of leaving Islam is at its highest when young peoples lives are the most unsettled. As teenagers and 20-somethings seek to earn a degree, get a job, and possibly find a life partner, their attachment to the religion of their youth begins to wane. By Ryan Burge. 1,030 words. (caategory: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Singh-Oped: Hindutva’s threat to academic freedom
(RNS) — Hindutva’s transformation is not for India alone. Hindutva is, and has been for some years, a global phenomenon. Nor is it restricted to the political realm. Stifling speech in Kashmir, in Delhi and elsewhere in India, those who promote the harmful and discriminatory ideology of Hindutva have targeted academics, activists and students who research and teach about South Asia and its history. By Ananya Chakravarti, Purnima Dhavan, Manan Ahmed, Supriya Gandhi, Dheepa Sundaram, Audrey Truschke and Simran Jeet Singh. 760 words. (category: k)