Saudi Arabia

Middle Eastern virus may mar hajj pilgrimage

By Omar Sacirbey — October 8, 2013
(RNS) This year’s hajj challenge is the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, which was first reported in Saudi Arabia last year.

Africa rises, China falls on Christian persecution list

By Lauren Markoe — January 8, 2013
(RNS) The persecution of Christians "vastly rose" in Africa in 2012 as a result of power gains by radical Islamists, according to Open Doors, a Christian missionary organization which publishes an annual list of offending nations. By Lauren Markoe.

Why we have to take the Saudis’ interfaith offer seriously

By David Rosen — November 27, 2012
(RNS) — The King Abdullah Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue has come from the very heart of the Muslim world.

Pork-free vaccine wins cheers from Hajj pilgrims

By Omar Sacirbey — October 18, 2012
(RNS) The nearly 3 million Muslims who will make next week’s annual hajj pilgrimage to the sacred Saudi Arabian city of Mecca are required to be vaccinated against meningitis. Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis claims to have developed, in 2010, the first anti-meningitis vaccine without pork, which Muslims are forbidden to consume under Islamic law. Many […]

Shiite Muslims quietly establish a foothold in U.S.

By Omar Sacirbey — October 2, 2012

QUINCY, Mass. (RNS) Until recently, the overwhelming share of U.S. Muslims were Sunni. That's changing as Shiite Muslims flee persecution in their homelands and set up mosques in the U.S., presenting another face of American Islam and bringing overseas tensions within Islam to U.S. shores. By Omar Sacirbey.

Report highlights Islam’s global diversity

By Chris Lisee — August 13, 2012

(RNS) A new report draws on 38,000 face-to-face interviews in 39 countries to find that Muslims differ sharply over questions of faith like who counts as a Muslim and what spiritual practices are acceptable. By Christopher Lisee.

Ramadan fast poses challenge for Muslim Olympians

By Omar Sacirbey — July 18, 2012

(RNS) The Islamic month of Ramadan, when Muslims are required to fast during daylight hours, coincides this year with the Summer Olympics in London, where more than 3,000 Muslims athletes are expected to compete. By Omar Sacirbey.

Ahmadiyya Muslims get warm welcome in Congress

By Lauren Markoe — June 27, 2012

WASHINGTON (RNS) The spiritual leader of the Ahmadi Muslims, a persecuted group who are seen as heretics by many mainstream Muslims, made a rare visit to Capitol Hill. By Lauren Markoe.

Page 7 of 7