Makkah: Pace of Commercialisation Quickens
AMERICAN BEDU: Several thousand families will have their homes razed for villas and apartments in central Makkah. Has commercialisation gone too far?
Tunisian vs Egyptian Islamists: What Are Differences?
THE MOOR NEXT DOOR: The Islamic parties of Tunisia and Egypt differ markedly, with their origins the key to understanding the differences
Multiculturalism: A Practical Approach
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Western leaders have recently branded ‘multiculturalism’ a ‘failure’. To succeed practical programmes need to nurture it.
News Analysis: King Abdullah Visits West Bank
A new dynamic is opening up in Jordanian-Palestinian relations – a recognition and acceptance of the role that the Islamic political movement Hamas plays.
Internet ‘Enables Open Debate Between Religions’
MATTHEW SKINNER, JOSHUA STANTON, CGNEWS: People will disagree vehemently over religion but the internet provides a perfect environment for robust, honest discussion.
Is Ijtihad the Key to Addressing Modern Issues?
CROSSROADS ARABIA: When the door of “ijtihad” was closed, the consensus was there would be no more independent reasoning in religious law
Firebombed Newspaper Charlie Hebdo a Victim of its Own Making
ROB L. WAGNER: Charlie Hebdo’s editors abuse the privilege of being journalists. Their behavior strengthens the argument anti blasphemy laws are necessary
Rap’s Inception ‘Pioneered by Muslims’
LAVON L. BROWN, SUHAIBWEBB: A socially engaged group of artists, the Last Poets, infused their work with religious tropes, setting the template for today’s rappers.
Three Key Questions for Islamist Politics
MUSTAFA HUSAYN ABU RUMMAN, CGNEWS: We’re living through a period of great political change and Islamist politicians are much in evidence. There are, though, some key questions that they need to answer
‘100 Questions About Islam’: Who’s Asking?
KARA HADGE, MARC SCHEUER, CGNEWS: An initiative launched recently confronts many of the common misconceptions that are held by non-Muslims.
The Saudi Arabian Electoral ‘Experiment’ Continues
ROB L. WAGNER: There has been a lot of criticism of Saudi Arabia’s upcoming municipal elections. Some groups, however, know how best to work the system.
How NOT to Educate Children About 9/11
DANIEL M. VARISCO: “We Shall Never Forget” is a masterpiece in truth-twisting and bigotry. The bad news is that it’s a coloring book aimed at U.S. children.
The Return to the ‘Normal’ Life, and The First, Joyful Cappuccino of Eid
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Eid marks a transition from spirituality to every day life. One Eid tradition, though, holds a special place in my heart.
Dubai Gets its Blue Mosque
I heard ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan saying, when people argued too much about his intention to reconstruct the mosque of Allah’s Apostle, “You have talked too much. I heard the Prophet saying, ‘Whoever built a mosque, Allah would build for him a similar place in Paradise’.”
MICH CAFE: The closer you get, the more splendid the mosque looks. The size is breathtaking and I had difficulty getting the four 60-meter-high minarets in one frame.
Should There Be A ‘Standard Ramadan Time’?
IBN WARRAQ, THE VIEW FROM FEZ: With Ramadan times varying hugely around the world is it time, for the sake of individuals’ health, to adopt a standard time?
A Green Ramadan: Five Ways to Achieve It
MUAZ NASIR, SUHAIBWEBB: Ramadan provides an opportunity to adopt green practices serving individuals and their community throughout the rest of the year.
Gallup: Muslims Loyal, Non-Violent, Tolerant – Shock!
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: These same results keep being found, keep being published – and keep being greeted with surprise…
The Shame and Pain of this Sorrowful Ramadan
MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: Whenever I finish my fast I cannot help thinking of the plight of Somali mothers, fellow Muslims, who have no food for their children.
The Ongoing Battle Against ‘Honour Killings’
RASHA DEWEDAR, CGNEWS: It’s an issue that faces women throughout the Arab world but progress, it appears, is being made in some countries to protect women.
Norway Killings A Challenge To Anti-Muslim Sentiment
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Last week’s horror has the potential to change the discourse again, away from anti-Muslim sentiment.
