Joseph Hammond
Joseph Hammond is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by Joseph Hammond
The film ‘Two Gods’ studies the life of a Muslim casket maker
By Joseph Hammond — May 27, 2021
(RNS) — The film ‘explores the juxtaposition of grief and the rituals of death with the vibrancy of coming of age,’ said director Zeshawn Ali.
American Jews and Muslim interfaith groups resume efforts after Gaza battles
By Joseph Hammond — May 26, 2021
(RNS) — Multiple faith leaders admitted such efforts were strained by the latest battles in the Holy Land.
Survey: Religion a key topic for many millennial moms during pandemic
By Joseph Hammond — May 21, 2021
(RNS) — Nearly a third of mothers discussed faith or spirituality last year, a new survey found.
Mustafa Akyol argues for Islamic reform from within
By Joseph Hammond — May 18, 2021
(RNS) — His new book calls for a revival of rational thought in Islamic theology.
American Muslim groups boycott White House Eid celebration
By Joseph Hammond — May 17, 2021
(RNS) — A number of prominent Democrats and Muslim American groups pushed back against the timing and fanfare of the event, as fighting between Israelis and Palestinians continues to rock the Holy Land.
China challenges UN event focused on its Uyghur population
By Joseph Hammond — May 13, 2021
(RNS) — China attempted to arrange a boycott of the United Nations event before ultimately deciding to make a last-minute appearance denying the various charges against its treatment of the country’s Uyghur minority.
Ramadan interfaith events go online for a second year
By Joseph Hammond — May 10, 2021
(RNS) — While in-person iftars have more 'electricity,' said one observer, online events generally have higher attendance than in-person events and attract more nationally known speakers.
Kyrie Irving’s recent conversion puts a spotlight on athletes observing Ramadan
By Joseph Hammond — May 6, 2021
(RNS) — Both amateur and professional athletes across the country must figure out how to continue competing well as they fast during the month of Ramadan.
To break Ramadan fast, many Muslims turn to apricot drink with ‘lunar’ name
By Joseph Hammond — May 4, 2021
(RNS) — In the Arab world, an apricot juice drink known as Qamar al-Din, or ‘moon of the religion,’ satisfies the requirements for breaking the daily fast.
Report details discrimination faced by American Muslims
By Joseph Hammond — April 29, 2021
(RNS) — The report, titled ‘Resilience in the Face of Hate: Civil Rights Report 2021,’ found a 9% increase in complaints in 2020, even as hate crimes fell by 20%.
For California Muslims: A Ramadan approaching normal
By Joseph Hammond — April 28, 2021
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that California could not enforce restrictions on at-home indoor religious gatherings. The 5-4 ruling, coming on the eve of Ramadan, has been a boon to California Muslims.
Cairo’s historic Ramadan cannon fires again
By Joseph Hammond — April 23, 2021
(RNS) — Now a familiar way to announce the end of the fast in the Arab world, the tradition is thought to have originated in the 15th century.
California date farmers lean into Ramadan season’s spike in sales
By Joseph Hammond — April 20, 2021
(RNS) — With the number of Muslims growing in the United States, dates sold at Ramadan have become a major focus of date growers' business.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny denied access to a Quran in prison
By Joseph Hammond — April 16, 2021
(RNS) — 'I made a list of ways I wanted to improve myself that I will try to complete in jail. One of the points was to deeply study and understand the Quran,' Navalny said in an Instagram post. He is threatening to sue Russian authorities over access to Islam’s holy book.
Controversial Iraq war battle to be subject of new video game
By Joseph Hammond — April 1, 2021
(RNS) — ‘Six Days in Fallujah’ depicts the Iraq War’s bloodiest battle and is set to be released some 13 years after it was first announced.
