Islam
Saudi Arabia stifled true death count in hajj stampede: 2,411
By RNS staff — December 10, 2015
(RNS) The Associated Press counted the deaths in Mina, Saudi Arabia, and found a total that's three times more than Saudi officials have stated.
Americans fear terrorism, mass shootings — and often Muslims as well
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 10, 2015
(RNS) Fear has ratcheted up in the wake of attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, a new survey finds. And reactions to mass shootings vary by the religious identity of the killers.
As a Muslim, I refuse to call myself a victim after the San Bernardino shootings (COMMENTARY)
By Ruth Nasrullah — December 8, 2015
(RNS) After the San Bernardino massacre I, like other Muslims, worried about my safety, given that I’m easily identifiable in my hijab. And that, I have decided, is ridiculous. I was not a victim that day.
The brothers Farook: one a decorated veteran, the other a killer
By Reuters — December 8, 2015
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The contrasting lives of the Farook brothers, described by friends, neighbors and former classmates who knew them both, is a disturbing tale, in part because there are so few clues to why they turned out so differently.
Obama vows US will destroy Islamic State — but not at the cost of our values
By Gregory Korte — December 6, 2015
He had harsh language for Islamic State "thugs and killers, vowing to fight "by being strong and smart, resilient and relentless." But he also stressed American values, concluding. "Freedom is more powerful than fear."
Most Americans don’t fear Muslims in US, new poll finds
By Reuters — December 6, 2015
The poll, conducted after the California shooting, shows 51 percent of Americans -- including 60 percent of Democrats but only 30 percent of Republicans -- view Muslims in the U.S. the same as any other community,
In French elections, clashing visions of Muslim identity
By Elizabeth Bryant — December 4, 2015
PARIS (RNS) In this weekend's regional elections, the fledgling Union of French Muslim Democrats party seeks to counter a rising tide of Islamophobia and give France’s five million Muslims a greater political voice.
‘Own it!’ Terrorism is an Islamic issue, say some Muslims
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 4, 2015
(RNS) The U.S has no clear ideological campaign to fight ISIS or Islamists and President Obama is ducking reality by refusing to label Islamic terrorism, said a panel of progressive Muslims.
PHOTOS: The Shiite pilgrimage Arbaeen
By Jerome Socolovsky — December 3, 2015
(RNS) Drawing an estimated 17 million pilgrims, the Shiite ritual known as Arbaeen dwarfs even the hajj. Arbaeen marks the end of the 40-day mourning period after the anniversary of the seventh-century slaying of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, which engendered the Sunni-Shiite schism.
GOP rivals call Trump’s Muslim database idea ‘wrong’ and ‘dangerous’
By Reuters — November 21, 2015
GOP rivals Gov. John Kasich and Jeb Bush objected immediately to Trump's proposal.
Saudi court rules a Palestinian poet must die for apostasy, rights group claims
By Reuters — November 20, 2015
Human Rights Watch says the poet, Ashraf Fayadh, was condemned for his writings and allegedly abandoning Islam.
Americans fret about Islam, immigrants, the future — and each other
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — November 17, 2015
(RNS) Anxiety looms on all fronts and Americans are split -- 49 percent to 49 percent -- on whether “America’s best days are ahead of us or behind us.”
Obama denounces religious test for refugees: ‘That’s not who we are’
By Kimberly Winston — November 16, 2015
(RNS) The president strongly restated his -- and his predecessor's -- belief that a war against ISIS is not a war against Islam.
World religious leaders condemn Paris carnage
By Rosie Scammell — November 14, 2015
(RNS) Pope Francis raises the specter of a World War III “in pieces,” Muslims issue statements of condemnation, while evangelical Christians in America debate whether to speak of a “war with Islam.”
Bike lanes * Saint Barbie * So long: October’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — November 2, 2015
Churches attack bike lanes for "burdening" their religious freedom as Saint Barbie leads a plastic revolution in Argentina. Savor every word of this last ever recap as I say “so long” to On Freedom.
