Joseph Hammond
Joseph Hammond is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Joseph Hammond

List highlights the growing number of Muslim startup companies in America
By Joseph Hammond — January 31, 2022
(RNS) — The list, put together by the Center for Global Muslim Life, highlights Muslim-founded or Muslim-focused startups. This year, a plurality is based in the US, while many more target Muslims in America.

Princess Diana contemplated converting to Islam, says ex-royal photographer
By Joseph Hammond — January 25, 2022
(RNS) — The late princess asked, ‘Can I have a chat?’ before surprising him with questions about his religion and about marriage between a Muslim and a Protestant Christian, the photographer told People magazine this week.

The unlikely story of America’s highest ranking Muslim soldier and TikTok favorite
By Joseph Hammond — January 24, 2022
(RNS) — A chance encounter with an army chaplain put Colonel Khallid Shabazz's military career on a different path.

US official latest to comment on NBA owner’s dismissal of Uyghur genocide
By Joseph Hammond — January 19, 2022
(RNS) — Nury Turkel, an official with USCIRF, has condemned recent statements from Palihapitiya, a billionaire venture capitalist and a small stakeholder in the Golden State Warriors’ NBA franchise.

African American Muslims among those targeted by anti-Muslim group
By Joseph Hammond — January 14, 2022
(RNS) — The Council on Islamic Relations is claiming the Investigative Project on Terrorism targeted African American Muslims through a multi-year effort.

Illinois marks ‘Muhammad Ali Day’ as boxer’s legacy continues
By Joseph Hammond — January 14, 2022
(RNS) — The date chosen, Ali’s birthday, happens to fall this year on the observance of Martin Luther King Day.

Federal ruling paves way for Mississippi mosque construction project
By Joseph Hammond — January 12, 2022
(RNS) — In at least one instance, a municipal official who opposed the mosque admitted the plan was initially blocked ‘because they’re Muslims.’

How East London’s oldest halal restaurant survived the pandemic
By Joseph Hammond — January 3, 2022
LONDON (RNS) — Halal Restaurant opened in 1939 to serve the needs of Muslims in the maritime industry. Over the ensuing decades the restaurant has changed alongside the rapidly shifting neighborhood.

Islamic-friendly comic book content finds a growing audience
By Joseph Hammond — December 29, 2021
(RNS) — 'I just knew there would be interests in dynamic storytelling outside of the superheroes, wizards and dragons out there,' said the founder of Fictional Frontiers, an initiative seeking to support Muslim writers and illustrators.

Former London Fashion Week designer pivots to modest fashion market
By Joseph Hammond — December 22, 2021
(RNS) — After being wrongfully imprisoned for two years in the U.K., Elle B. Mambetov has taken her once famed luxury brand and focused it on modest fashion, aimed at Muslim women.

Kansas camel escapes Nativity scene, latest in series of camel mishaps
By Joseph Hammond — December 16, 2021
(RNS) — At one point Bonner Springs Police Department pursued the camel on golf carts after it strayed onto a golf course.

PBS documentary broadcast part of Sikh awareness campaign
By Joseph Hammond — December 10, 2021
(RNS) — 'Guru Nanak: Life & Legacy' will be shown on December 9th and 10th on 100 different PBS stations in over 40 states.

Ilhan Omar named ‘American Muslim Public Servant of 2021’ by CAIR
By Joseph Hammond — December 7, 2021
(RNS) — In her acceptance speech, Omar acknowledged it had been a ‘very difficult week’ as the political feud between her and Rep. Lauren Boebert continued to draw headlines.

Celebrity surgeon Dr. Oz seeks to be first Muslim elected to the US Senate
By Joseph Hammond — December 2, 2021
(RNS) — Besides Sufism, the mystical Islamic sect, Oz's spiritual practices include transcendental meditation and elements of his wife's Swedenborgian tradition.

‘Praying to the West’ offers look at America’s diverse Muslim communities
By Joseph Hammond — November 25, 2021
(RNS) — Omar Mouallem's new book looks at 13 mosques across North and South America and how Muslims developed their identity on the continents.
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