Joseph Hammond
Joseph Hammond is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Joseph Hammond
Vote over Muslim nominated by Biden stalled by GOP boycott
By Joseph Hammond — September 29, 2021
(RNS) — Republicans have failed to appear at confirmation hearings for a nominee who, if confirmed, would be the highest-ranking Muslim in the administration.
From hajj to Italian Jews: Egypt’s national dish has a mixed heritage
By Joseph Hammond — September 27, 2021
(RNS) — Unlike the national dish of other nations, the origins of Koshari are much disputed, and it may have come to Egypt by way of religious minorities.
Local Indigenous groups worry Bears Ears Monument will limit access to ritual space
By Joseph Hammond — September 24, 2021
(RNS) — The initial push for the monument was supported by the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, but the two closest chapters of the Navajo Nation resisted the plans. At stake are two different visions of how to best protect sacred land.
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.
‘King of the World’ podcast examines good and bad of Muslim American life after 9/11
By Joseph Hammond — September 21, 2021
(RNS) — The show is aimed at Muslims who were in their early 20s and late teens in 2001 and suddenly found their Islamic identity thrust upon them by the attention paid to Muslims after the attacks.
Poet Cavafy remains an unlikely symbol of Greek culture in Egypt
By Joseph Hammond — September 20, 2021
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (RNS) — He was born and died in Alexandria, Egypt, then home to a large Greek community that began immigrating to Egypt in the 19th century. Writing primarily in Greek and little published during his lifetime, Cavafy's works have been translated into more than 40 languages.
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.
Manny Pacquiao sues popular Filipino pastor in libel case
By Joseph Hammond — September 15, 2021
(RNS) — The Filipino boxer and politician is fending off accusations that he profited from a sports center project.
Conference fuels growing US debate over Hindu nationalism
By Joseph Hammond — September 8, 2021
(RNS) — Critics of the Dismantling Global Hindutva conference say it is an exercise in Hinduphobia.
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.
Fate of rock churches of Lalibela raises concerns among US Ethiopians
By Joseph Hammond — August 20, 2021
(RNS) — 'My heart is broken for us Ethiopians in America and around the world. Our life is dismantled,' said Kesis Asteraye Tsige, an Ethiopian priest in Kansas City.
A rebel and freedom fighter, Elaine Mokhtefi translates their remarkable life in her husband’s memoir
By Joseph Hammond — August 6, 2021
(RNS) — 'I Was a French Muslim' recounts the role of Islamic faith and Catholic priests in the French Algerian War.
Study finds the American mosque increasingly a melting pot of Islamic traditions
By Joseph Hammond — August 3, 2021
(RNS) — The report, conducted every 10 years, found American Sunni mosques are blending various schools of Islamic jurisprudence or madhabs.
New initiative seeks to get Muslims to the golf course
By Joseph Hammond — August 2, 2021
(RNS) — For Amir Malik, there's a close tie between the values of golf — especially honesty and integrity — and his faith.
Sikh American soldiers continue to campaign for right to wear beard, turban
By Joseph Hammond — July 29, 2021
(RNS) — A memorial ceremony for a Sikh soldier on Thursday (July 29) at Arlington brings to the fore again the unequal religious accommodations extended to Sikhs across the military.
