Islam
Parliament of the World’s Religions hopes to harness faith to address world’s ills
By Bob Smietana — August 14, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — More than 6,500 religious leaders from 95 countries had registered for the gathering, which returns to Chicago for the first time since the 1990s.
Halal nail polish raises complex discussions among Muslim consumers
By Fiona André — August 11, 2023
(RNS) — The halal cosmetic market is growing rapidly, but many customers remain skeptical.
A year ago, an Iranian woman’s death sparked hijab protests. Now businesses are a new battleground
By Jon Gambrell and Nasser Karimi — August 10, 2023
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — These days, with uncovered women a common sight on Tehran streets, authorities have begun raiding companies where women employees or customers have been seen without the headscarf, or hijab.
Sinead O’Connor was a rock star and a Muslim. Why did obituaries miss this?
By Anna Piela — August 8, 2023
(RNS) — Obscuring O’Connor’s faith is a missed chance to fight Islamophobia.
Radical British preacher Anjem Choudary faces May trial on terrorism charges
By Associated Press — August 7, 2023
LONDON (AP) — Choudary, 56, is also charged with two other counts under the Terrorism Act: membership in a banned organization, the radical Muslim group al-Muhajiroun, and addressing meetings to encourage support for the organization over the past year.
How a mysterious Indian religious figure united Hindus and Muslims
By Murali Balaji — August 4, 2023
(RNS) — The life and words of Shirdi Sai Baba could prove to be an inspiration to those seeking to rebuild the bridges between followers of both faiths.
Indian court allows survey of a 17th-century mosque to see if it was built over a Hindu temple
By Biswajeet Banerjee — August 3, 2023
LUCKNOW, India (AP) —The dispute over land ownership had been one of India’s most heated issues between India’s 80% majority Hindu community and Muslim minority.
India’s northern Haryana state tense after 5 killed in communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims
By Piyush Nagpal — August 2, 2023
NUH, India (AP) — The violence began Monday afternoon when Hindus and Muslims clashed with each other in Haryana’s Nuh district during a religious procession by a Hindu nationalist group.
Muslim missionaries accused of trafficking Amazon Indigenous boys to Turkey
By Eduardo Campos Lima — August 1, 2023
SÃO PAULO (RNS) — The case has caused outrage. Muslims have criticized the media’s rapt coverage as Islamophobic, given that the alleged operation was not very different from what many Christian churches have been doing for decades.
Denmark seeks to legally prevent burnings of Quran or other religious scriptures
By Jari Tanner — August 1, 2023
HELSINKI (AP) — The government repeated its condemnation of such descecrations, say they are “deeply offensive and reckless acts committed by few individuals” and "do not represent the values the Danish society is built on.”
Morocco’s Benzina becomes the first senior-level Women’s World Cup player to compete in hijab
By The Associated Press — July 31, 2023
ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — A FIFA ban on playing in religious head coverings in its sanctioned games for “health and safety reasons” was overturned in 2014 after advocacy from activists, athletes and government and soccer officials.
Sweden’s prime minister is concerned about a new wave of applications to burn religious books
By Associated Press — July 28, 2023
STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden’s prime minister said Thursday that police have received several permit applications for the burning of religious texts in the country next week, and that he fears this may escalate tensions further with the Muslim world.
Millions of Shiite Muslims across the world commemorate the mourning day of Ashoura
By Amir Vahdat — July 28, 2023
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — In Afghanistan, the Taliban cut mobile phone services in key cities holding commemorations for fear of militants targeting Shiites, whom Sunni extremists consider heretics.
Security risks in Sweden rise due to Quran desecrations and protests, security agency says
By Associated Press — July 27, 2023
STOCKHOLM (AP) — The country's current reputation risks fueling threats against Sweden “from individuals within the violent Islamist milieu,” the agency said.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation suspends Sweden’s special envoy over desecration of Quran
By Associated Press — July 26, 2023
BEIRUT (AP) — The Islamic holy book was burned or defaced during recent public demonstrations in the Swedish capital.
