Islam
Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Fitr, but the festivities are marred by the war in Gaza
By Niniek Karmini and Andrew Wilks — April 11, 2024
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Preachers in their sermons called on people to pray for Muslims in Gaza who were suffering after six months of war.
For Irish Muslims, Eid al-Fitr is a ‘mixture of happiness and sadness,’ as all eyes on Gaza
By Indy Scholtens — April 10, 2024
DUBLIN (RNS) — ‘The mind can never be clear from the sadness over what is happening in Gaza,’ said a spokesperson for the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland.
Baptist leaders urge House Speaker Mike Johnson to support Ukrainian Christians
By Adelle M. Banks — April 10, 2024
(RNS) — ‘We believe that God has put you in this position “for such a time as this,”’ Southern Baptist and Ukrainian Baptist officials wrote the speaker.
As a Ramadan like no other ends, Gaza’s shadow haunts Muslims young and old
By Dilshad Ali — April 10, 2024
(RNS) — Parents have few answers for children asking about what comes next for Muslims at home and abroad.
Eid prayers held in a historic former mosque in northern Greece for the first time in 100 years
By Costas Kantouris — April 10, 2024
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Wednesday marked the first time since the 1920s that the building was being used for mass prayers during Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday at the end of the monthlong fasting period of Ramadan.
Pakistan deploys more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces ahead of Eid al-Fitr
By Munir Ahmed — April 10, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The country has witnessed a surge in militant attacks in recent years, mostly claimed by Pakistani Taliban and separatists who mainly operate from the southwestern Baluchistan province.
Transgender inclusion? World’s major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people
By David Crary, Mariam Fam, and Deepa Bharath — April 10, 2024
(AP) – Around the world, major religions have diverse approaches to gender identity, and the inclusion or exclusion of transgender people. Some
For those with mixed families, Israel-Hamas war complicates already difficult terrain
By Tara Abhasakun — April 9, 2024
(RNS) — Since Oct. 7, writers who have both Palestinian and Jewish relatives are navigating polarizing arguments among family and friends as well as reexamining their own identities.
For Latino Muslims, Ramadan is a celebration of ‘Islam and Latinidad’
By Fiona André — April 8, 2024
(RNS) — 'The beauty is that we're not expected to commit cultural apostasy when we convert to Islam.'
Anger in Malaysia over shoes bearing logo resembling Arabic word for God. Company head apologizes
By Associated Press — April 8, 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) —The Islamic department said if evidence that the logo was deliberately created to mimic the word “God” in Arabic, legal action will be taken to prevent similar future incidents.
The fight against Hindu nationalism in the United States is multifaith, says a newly formed coalition
By Richa Karmarkar — April 5, 2024
(RNS) — A declaration from the newly formed coalition Savera: United Against Supremacy expressed the group's 'acute concern' of Hindu nationalism, which they say now 'finds itself in a deepening alliance with various facets of the American far-right.'
Muslim athletes push boundaries to keep on training despite fasting during Ramadan
By Ken Maguire — April 5, 2024
LONDON (AP) — Dawn-to-dusk fasting poses obstacles about the best time to exercise — if it's an option — because it can adversely impact sleep and energy levels.
Awe and dread: How religions have responded to total solar eclipses over the centuries
By David Crary, Mariam Fam, and Deepa Bharath — April 5, 2024
(AP) — Ahead of the total solar eclipse that will follow a long path over North America on Monday, here's a look at how several of the world's major religions have responded to such eclipses over the centuries and in modern times.
Biden faces protest over his support for Israel during White House meeting
By Chris Megerian — April 4, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — Several Muslim community leaders had refused invitations to break their fasts with the president, saying it would have been inappropriate at a time of famine in Gaza.
Man pleads guilty to attacking Muslim state representative in Connecticut
By Associated Press — April 3, 2024
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Rep. Maryam Khan was attacked while attending a service at the XL Center arena in Hartford with her family to mark Eid al-Adha, the end of the Hajj.
