Muslims
‘Sniper’ studio condemns anti-Muslim rhetoric
By Andrea Mandell — January 29, 2015
(RNS) Since the film opened, some tweets have referred to "ragheads," "vermin scum" and hatred of Muslims.
Is updated Band Aid charity song demeaning to Africans?
By Fredrick Nzwili — December 8, 2014
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Critics say the lyrics are patronizing and demeaning to Muslims in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea who do not celebrate Christmas.
Public schools can avoid ‘War on Christmas’ tussle in school holiday calendar (COMMENTARY)
By J. Brent Walker — December 4, 2014
(RNS) Refusing to identify the religious reason for the days off does not solve the problem and only invites unfounded criticism of hostility to Christmas and the other religious holidays.
‘Serial’ whodunit shows how perceptions of Muslims have changed (COMMENTARY)
By Hussein Rashid — December 3, 2014
(RNS) At one point in our history, a prosecutor could argue that an outwardly observant Muslim was unlikely to kill someone. Changing political realities have altered that logic.
Hashtag activists battle online anti-Muslim speech, but #DoesItWork?
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — November 13, 2014
(RNS) Clicktivism -- for good or for ill -- brings attention to online hate speech, and "attention is never powerless"'
Ayaan Hirsi Ali draws criticism from fellow atheists at Yale
By Kimberly Winston — September 15, 2014
(RNS) A campus appearance by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the outspoken Muslim-turned-atheist activist, is being challenged again, this time at Yale University. But this time her fellow ex-Muslims and atheists are among her critics.
US Muslims ask John Kerry for protection on Mecca pilgrimage
By Lauren Markoe — August 27, 2014
(RNS) After last year's attack on U.S. citizens in Mecca, a coalition is petitioning the State Department to better protect pilgrims who undertake the Muslim hajj.
Americans view Jews, Christians warmly; atheists, Muslims get cold shoulder
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — July 16, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) A new survey finds -- surprise!-- we like ourselves. U.S. adults feel most warmly about those who share their religion.
Kenya’s new polygamy law bad for families, Christian leaders say
By Fredrick Nzwili — May 1, 2014
(RNS) The law legalizes polygamy, allowing men to marry multiple wives in a country where they previously were permitted to have one.
Fewer than 1,000 Muslims left in Central African Republic capital
By Fredrick Nzwili — March 11, 2014
(RNS) On March 7, U.N Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos said that less than 1 percent of Bangui's 100,000 Muslims remained in the capital of the Central African Republic.
New documentary recounts story of heroic Muslim spy
By Omar Sacirbey — February 27, 2014
(RNS) The filmmakers knew they wanted to tell a story about a Muslim who did something heroic during World War II, because so few stories are known. Noor Inayat Khan’s story was the most alluring because of her deep spirituality.
COMMENTARY: The clear anti-Muslim bias behind anti-Shariah laws
By Faiza Patel — February 21, 2014
NEW YORK (RNS) It's hard to believe that supporters of bans on foreign law are genuinely concerned about the purported ills of foreign law when they are so ready to make concessions. Instead, "foreign law" provides a convenient fig leaf for supporters to stir up misconceptions and fear about Muslims.
Israeli-Palestinian youth choir makes peace through song
By Michele Chabin — February 14, 2014
(RNS) The goal of the YMCA Jerusalem Youth Chorus is to create a cohort of thoughtful, tolerant young leaders willing to explore one another’s identities, histories and life experiences through song.
French comedian’s straight-armed gesture provokes charges of anti-Semitism
By Elizabeth Bryant — January 8, 2014
PARIS (RNS) French comedian Dieudonne is kicking up fresh controversy with a straight-armed gesture he has tagged the "quenelle." Dieudonne claims it's anti-establishment, not anti-Semitic; Jewish groups liken it to a Nazi salute.
Muslim informants lauded for helping keep England safe from terrorists
By Trevor Grundy — December 30, 2013
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) Britain’s domestic secret service -- M15 -- works hand in hand with informants who sometimes monitor sermons in mosques and tell the police about suspicious members.