Islam

Taliban ‘has not changed,’ say women facing subjugation in areas of Afghanistan under its extremist rule

By Homa Hoodfar, Mona Tajali — July 27, 2021

(The Conversation) — Burqas and male chaperones for women were features of the Taliban’s extremist rule of Afghanistan in the 1990s. Those policies are now back in some districts controlled by these Islamic militants.

Reparations bill gains momentum as an interfaith cause

By Adelle M. Banks — July 23, 2021

RNS News Quiz: Ben & Jerry’s and Wally Funk

By Emily Churchill — July 23, 2021

Politics foil replacing hazardous bridge to Jerusalem site

By Ilan Ben Zion — July 22, 2021

JERUSALEM (AP) — The tenuous state of the Mughrabi Bridge has raised fears of another disaster after a stampede at a religious festival left 45 people dead.

Room for 10,000: Inside China’s largest detention center

By Dake Kang — July 22, 2021

DABANCHENG, China (AP) — This site suggests that China still holds and plans to hold vast numbers of Uyghurs and other minorities in detention.

Like many hajj traditions in a pandemic year, Zamzam water gets a reboot

By Joseph Hammond — July 21, 2021

(RNS) — In an effort to keep COVID-19 transmission to a minimum, Saudi authorities have deployed 20 robots to serve bottles of Islam's holiest water to often bemused pilgrims.

Maryland Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha with a farm-focused carnival

By Joseph Hammond — July 20, 2021

(RNS) — Some 800 Muslim Americans are expected to attend the family-focused event at the Green Meadows Petting Farm in Ijamsville, Maryland. The event combines traditional Eid prayer services, a carnival atmosphere and a concert.

Indonesian Muslims mark grim Eid amid devastating virus wave

By Niniek Karmini — July 20, 2021

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia is now Asia's COVID-19 hot spot with the most confirmed daily cases. Infections and deaths have surged.

Muslims mark Eid al-Adha holiday in pandemic’s shadow

By Mariam Fam — July 20, 2021

CAIRO (AP) — “It’s going to be the first Eid in my life I don’t hug and kiss my mum and dad.”

War or peace? For Iran and the United States, it’s time to decide.

By Diane Randall — July 19, 2021

(RNS) — A swift return to the JCPOA is our best and only option for dealing with Iran.

Senegal sees dramatic COVID-19 surge as major holiday looms

By Carley Petesch, Yesica Fisch — July 19, 2021

BARGNY, Senegal (AP) — As millions in Senegal prepare for Tabaski, new confirmed cases have risen to a record of 738 on Friday and then nearly doubled overnight.