Islam
Lebanon’s displaced celebrate Ramadan amid fears that border conflict might become the ‘new normal’
By Abby Sewell — March 25, 2024
MARWANIEH, Lebanon (AP) — Those living at the Hotel Montana, which went out of business in 2005, are among an estimated 90,000 people from southern Lebanon who have been displaced by the near-daily clashes between the militant group Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
Religious affairs expert Thomas Bowen moves from city of Washington to White House
By Adelle M. Banks — March 22, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — While shifting to national and international issues, he will still be acting as a clergyperson in the city that he has long served.
‘The Ally’: The cost of not being angry
By Beth Kissileff — March 21, 2024
(RNS) — A play that enables audiences to listen in on topics about which no one is able to speak courteously.
BYU’s Aly Khalifa heads into March Madness without food or water while observing Ramadan
By Dave Skretta — March 21, 2024
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — One of the Five Pillars of Islam is the “sawm," where during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar healthy adults are required to abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.
Ramy Youssef constantly asks if jokes are harmful or helpful. He keeps telling them anyway
By Krysta Fauria — March 21, 2024
LOS ANGELES (AP) — In keeping with much of his previous work, “Ramy Youssef: More Feelings” doesn’t shy away from fraught topics, including religion, the upcoming presidential election and the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Algeria scolds television stations for Ramadan advertising blitz and immoral programming
By Associated Press — March 20, 2024
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algerian Communications Minister Mohamed Lagab accused networks of not respecting ethical and professional lines, calling their programmatic choices “out of keeping with the social traditions of our society and especially the sacredness of the month of Ramadan.”
Biden’s Muslim American judicial nominee threatened by smear campaign
By Yonat Shimron — March 19, 2024
(RNS) — Muslim Americans are significantly underrepresented as a proportion of the population in the nation's federal judiciary.
Mosques depend on Ramadan for a third of their fundraising. Is there a better way?
By Dilshad Ali — March 18, 2024
(RNS) — Looking for ways to de-link Ramadan and fundraising so Muslims can focus on worship.
Fasting at school? More Muslim students in the US are getting support during Ramadan
By Darren Sands, Corey Williams, Giovanna Dell'orto, and Mariam Fam — March 18, 2024
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) — Fasting is not required of young children, but many Muslim children like to fast to share in the month's rituals and emulate parents and older siblings, according to the Islamic Networks Group.
Jurors weigh fate of Afghan refugee charged with murder in a case that shocked Muslim community
By Susan Montoya Bryan — March 18, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Muhammad Syed is charged with three counts of murder and four charges of tampering with evidence.
Poll: Most Americans say religion’s influence is waning, and half think that’s bad
By Jack Jenkins — March 15, 2024
(RNS) — There is also growing concern among an array of religious Americans that their beliefs are in conflict with mainstream American culture.
The British government wants to define extremism. Critics say it risks creating more division
By Jill Lawless and Sylvia Hui — March 15, 2024
LONDON (AP) — The move is in response to a surge in reports of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate speech and what authorities call an increase in radicalization in Britain since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
US-mandated religious freedom group ends Saudi trip early after rabbi ordered to remove his kippah
By Jon Gambrell — March 13, 2024
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Displaying any religious symbols other than Islamic ones remains criminalized in Saudi Arabia.
All eyes on Rafah as Ramadan gets underway
By Omar Suleiman — March 13, 2024
(RNS) — Muslims have navigated war, famine and death in Ramadan, but we’ve never watched a genocide in real time.
Rabbi, religious freedom delegation end Saudi trip early after yarmulke incident
By Adelle M. Banks — March 12, 2024
(RNS) — ‘No one should be denied access to a heritage site, especially one intended to highlight unity and progress, simply for existing as a Jew,’ said Rabbi Abraham Cooper.
