Islam

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.

Muslim leaders reject chance to break bread with Biden as anger over Gaza festers

By Chris Megerian and Zeke Miller — April 3, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats fear that Biden's loss of support among Muslims could help clear a path for his Republican predecessor to return to the White House.

New York inmates are suing to watch the solar eclipse after state orders prisons locked down

By Philip Marcelo — April 3, 2024
NEW YORK (AP) — The suit filed Friday in federal court in upstate New York argues that the April 8 lockdown violates inmates' constitutional rights to practice their faiths by preventing them from taking part in a religiously significant event.

Poll: Muslims most discriminated group in US, but Jews not far behind

By Yonat Shimron — April 2, 2024
(RNS) — The poll, taken in February, reflects changing attitudes toward U.S. Jews in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel and the fierce, now 6-month-old war in Gaza.

Mosques in NYC struggle to house and feed an influx of Muslim migrants this Ramadan

By Philip Marcelo — April 2, 2024
NEW YORK (AP) — Islamic institutions in the Big Apple are struggling to keep up with the needs of the city's migrant population as an increasing number of asylum seekers come from Muslim-majority African countries.

New York’s governor is hiring her first Muslim Affairs director

By Fiona André — April 1, 2024
NEW YORK (RNS) — Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war, Governor Hochul's relations with the state's Muslim community have been strained.

Ships with a second round of aid for Gaza have departed Cyprus as concerns about hunger soar

By Associated Press — April 1, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — The United Nations and partners have warned that famine could occur in devastated, largely isolated northern Gaza as early as this month.
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