British Muslims Express Horror Over Lee Rigby’s Murder
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Virtually every mainstream Muslim organisation has been unequivocal in its condemnation of the appalling murder of the young soldier
How To Write About Sunni and Shia Issues Today: A Guide
CROSSROADS ARABIA: A lot is assumed by commentators today who use the terms ‘Sunni’ and ‘Shia’ vaguely and as a lazy shorthand.
A Muslim Mother’s Dilemma: To Walk At Post-Bomb Event
KIRAN ANSARI, CGNEWS: It was a difficult choice – whether to identify myself visibly as a Muslim at a public community event
‘My Reaction As a British Muslim to the Woolwich Attack’
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: It was a shocking, brutal incident that has evoked an understandable maelstrom of emotion. Here are my initial thoughts and feelings
‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ in Obama’s Terror Speech
JUAN COLE: Some praise is due but Obama remains wedded to the idea that extra-judicial assassination is an effective counter-terror tool.
African-American Integration in U.S ‘A Model for Muslims’
JOCEYLINE CESARI, CGNEWS: Muslim communities across the globe need to take inspiration from the African-American community on how to integrate within indigenous societies
Islam & Terror: ‘Conversations With My Young, Muslim Son’
NAZISH YARKHAN, CGNEWS: ‘Do people call you a terrorist?, ‘How Do you Feel about the Boston bombing?’ These difficult conversations are important.
Arab Writers at PEN: It’s Not Just About Politics
M. LYNX-QUALEY: At major international writer events there seems to be an overwhelming focus on the politics of the region. Understandable but we’re neglecting a fuller picture
‘Cover Up Now’: Oman’s Islamists Target School Girls
DHOFARI GUCCI: A disturbing propaganda campaign is being spread throughout schools in Dhofar.
True Multi-Cultural Hero: The Surprise That Is St George
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: He’s been adopted by the English right-wing as a symbol of racial purity. He actually stood for nothing of the sort.
Boston Bombings Unleash ‘Fresh Wave of Islamophobia’
ALEX KANE, MONDOWEISS: It began even before we discovered that the two perpetrators were indeed of Muslim extraction. It’s set to be very ugly again.
Women: Pope and Muslim Brotherhood ‘Share Views’
The selection of the new pope was carried out by a conclave of elderly men, and the only candidates were men. The new pope is a staunch social conservative who opposes women’s ordination as priests and women’s right to control their own bodies and limit family size, key issues for women’s health and well-being. It is no wonder that the church hierarchy is so tone deaf on women’s issues, since its highest counsels are all-male.
JUAN COLE: Patriarchal religion takes a remarkably similar view of the position of women in society.
Halal Food: It’s a Simple Matter of Community Trust
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: The ongoing horsemeat scandal demonstrates the importance of establishing means to gain and maintain trust among consumers
‘Seed of Self-Confidence’ Grows Within Arab Women
NATALA DE-LONG BAS, CGNEWS: Two years into the Arab Spring and what advances have really been made by women in their battle for equality?
The ‘Nice Jewish Girl’ Writing So Much About Islam
SUSIE OF ARABIA: She is a woman of many parts – journalist, British, Jewish, psychologist and houseboat dweller. What fascinates her about Islam?
Saudi Death Row: 45 Foreign Maids To Be Executed
CROSSROADS ARABIA: The Saudi authorities have faced a firestorm of international criticism following the execution of a Sri Lankan maid. It might only be the beginning.
Hip Hop Hijabis: The Rhythm and Rhyme of Debate
METTE REITZEL, CGNEWS: Their appearance, their message and their undoubted skill blend to create powerful voices confronting stereotypes
“We Pray That You Die”: Saudi Clerics On Attack
CROSSROADS ARABIA: Some clerics have taken it upon themselves to invoke the power of prayer to invite not just professional failure but for the demise of individuals
2012: The Year of the Inane Political Fatwa
CROSSROADS ARABIA: They came thick and fast throughout the last year. Many of them, though, just serve to devalue the meaning of a religious edict
American Muslims: Same Concerns as Non-Muslims
ROB L. WAGNER: It seems impossible for many Americans to view Muslims other than through a Middle East lens.
