Omar Sacirbey
Omar Sacirbey is a Boston-based correspondent for Religion News Service and other publications.
All Stories by Omar Sacirbey
Timbuktu artifacts destroyed in Northern Mali fighting
By Omar Sacirbey — June 11, 2013
(RNS) Fighting in Mali has destroyed or damaged many religious artifacts and buildings in Timbuktu, an ancient Islamic learning center.
Citing risk to adoptions, Missouri gov. vetoes anti-Shariah bill
By Omar Sacirbey — June 4, 2013
(RNS) Rather than citing the usual arguments about anti-Muslim discrimination, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said a bill to prevent foreign laws in state courtrooms would make it harder for Missouri families to adopt children from overseas.
Want to improve Muslim attitudes? Get them online
By Omar Sacirbey — May 31, 2013
(RNS) A new Pew study says getting Muslims online can improve their views of the West, but a major problem remains: across 39 countries and territories, just 18 percent of Muslims said they used the Internet.
Oklahoma Muslims aid in tornado relief in bid to build bridges
By Omar Sacirbey — May 24, 2013
(RNS) Muslim Americans routinely provide emergency aid following natural disasters, but the Oklahoma tornado is special because of the anti-Muslim sentiment in the state. Muslims increased their outreach, convinced that when Oklahomans meet Muslims, prejudices will fade.
Anti-Shariah movement changes tactics and gains success
By Omar Sacirbey — May 16, 2013
(RNS) After losing steam in recent years, the anti-Shariah movement has scored a string of victories by, ironically, leaving the words "Shariah" and "Islam" out of bills that restrict state courts from considering foreign law.
Poll: U.S. Muslims more moderate than Muslims worldwide
By Omar Sacirbey — April 30, 2013
(RNS) Muslims in America are much less inclined to support suicide bombing than Muslims abroad, and are more likely to believe that people of other faiths can attain eternal life in heaven, according to a new survey.
Female converts to Islam facing growing scrutiny
By Omar Sacirbey — April 29, 2013
BOSTON (RNS) Karen Hunt-Ahmed is part of a growing sorority of female American converts to Islam, especially those who are or were married to Muslim men, who must deal with the perception that they converted to Islam because of domineering boyfriends or husbands.
Poll says Muslim Brotherhood has soured Americans on Egypt
By Omar Sacirbey — April 12, 2013
(RNS) A new poll shows that the Islamic political party known as the Muslim Brotherhood has soured American attitudes towards Egypt, arguably America’s most important Arab ally, since its candidate Mohamed Morsi won presidential elections there in June 2012.
Pope Francis has a model for Muslim engagement in St. Francis of Assisi
By Omar Sacirbey — March 15, 2013
Just as many Catholics have connected Pope Francis' humility and austere lifestyle with that of St. Francis of Assisi, those seeking clues on the new pontiff's approach to Christian-Muslim relations see another example in his iconic namesake.
Muslims detail fear from NYPD spy probe
By Omar Sacirbey — March 11, 2013
(RNS) In a new report, Muslims detail how fears of being spied on compelled them to refrain from social activism, and change how they dress, and sowed intracommunity mistrust.
What Muslims want in a new pope
By Omar Sacirbey — March 11, 2013
(RNS) The selection of the 266th pope comes at a critical juncture in Muslim-Catholic relations, which have been marred by persecution of Christians in the Muslim world, Islamophobia in Western countries and rioting between Muslims and Christians across Africa.
Fighting threatens Islamic artifacts in troubled Timbuktu
By Omar Sacirbey — February 28, 2013
(RNS) Fighting in the Muslim country of Mali in northern Africa has delayed the American tour of a unique exhibit featuring centuries-old texts and artifacts from Timbuktu, an ancient center of Islamic learning.
Modeling agency helps demure Muslims keep it ‘Underwraps’
By Omar Sacirbey — January 30, 2013
(RNS) Nailah Lymus argues that there's greater demand for modesty than perhaps the fashion industry realizes, and that it will need models to respond. Since launching her Underwraps modeling agency, she's received more than 400 queries from aspiring Muslim models from the U.S. to Indonesia to Great Britain.
‘Virtual’ public schools draw interest of religious families
By Omar Sacirbey — January 8, 2013
(RNS) Since Florida became the first state to try them in 1996, virtual public schools have enjoyed dramatic growth, at least some of it coming from religious families. Like home-schooling parents, parents of virtual public school students like having their children home so they can integrate religion and values into the school day. By Omar Sacirbey.
Muslim scholar wins prestigious Grawemeyer Award
By Omar Sacirbey — November 30, 2012
(RNS) For the first time, a female Muslim scholar has won the prestigious Grawemeyer award. By Omar Sacirbey.
