Rob L. Wagner

Have the ‘Big Boys’ Given Up On Islamic Banking?

Have the ‘Big Boys’ Given Up On Islamic Banking?

ROB L. WAGNER: HSBC’s decision to downgrade significantly the resources it devotes to Islamic banking has thrown the issue into sharp focus.

 Common Ground News Service

‘Muslim’. ‘Women’s’. ‘Rights’. Giving Meaning to Words

‘Muslim’. ‘Women’s’. ‘Rights’. Giving Meaning to Words

SHEHERAZADE JAFARI, CGNEWS: The idea of Muslim women awaiting rescue from their oppressive lives by an injection of Western liberal values is far from reality.

 Alexander McNabb

UAE To Block ‘Hate Movie’: The Right Approach?

ALEXANDER MCNABB: Internet users in the UAE will not be able to see ‘The Innocence of Muslims’ and see for themselves what a foul work it is.

 mai abdul rahman

‘This Hateful Movie Is Not Worth A Drop of Blood’

‘This Hateful Movie Is Not Worth A Drop of Blood’

And so the violence associated with a vile, hate filled movie escalates. Why can we not fight hate with wisdom and rationality?

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: And so the violence associated with a vile, hate filled movie escalates. Why can we not fight hate with wisdom and rationality?

 Juan Cole

Libya: The CIA’s Waterboarding Hot-Spot

Libya: The CIA’s Waterboarding Hot-Spot

ALICE ROSS, INFORMED COMMENT: A new report from Human Rights Watch reveals the true extent of Libya’s involvement as a CIA facilitator

 The View From Fez

The ‘A’ Word: A Big Problem for Cola Makers

The ‘A’ Word: A Big Problem for Cola Makers

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: In spite of the cool words issued by cola manufacturers there is still great concern across the Muslim world regarding ingredients.

 Common Ground News Service

‘Turkey Is Our Model State’, Say Egyptians In Survey

‘Turkey Is Our Model State’, Say Egyptians In Survey

LUCY CHUMBLEY, CGNEWS: The role of religion in society is important for Egyptians but not as important as a strong economy.

 Steve Royston

‘An Uncommon Lunch’: Kings, Queens and ‘Exes’

‘An Uncommon Lunch’: Kings, Queens and ‘Exes’

STEVE ROYSTON: There was a bit of commotion about the King of Bahrain’s attendance at a recent lunch in the UK. I was struck by another issue

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Role of the Arts in Muslim World ‘Not Understood’

Role of the Arts in Muslim World ‘Not Understood’

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: While arts from the Muslim world are widely celebrated in the West, they are less appreciated within umma.

 James M. Dorsey

Trade Unions Reject Qatar’s ‘Labour Rights’

Trade Unions Reject Qatar’s ‘Labour Rights’

JAMES DORSEY: According to the ITUC “workers are dying in Qatar as they build World Cup stadiums, suffering large scale exploitation every day.

 Rob L. Wagner

Religious Comment Plus Political Activism Equals Trouble

Religious Comment Plus Political Activism Equals Trouble

ROB L. WAGNER: His religious comments were ill-chosen but they are not the only reason that he is in serious trouble.

 Ramzy Baroud

U.S., China: A Cold War in Warm Waters

U.S., China: A Cold War in Warm Waters

RAMZY BAROUD: Leaders of adjacent countries might find themselves forced to choose sides in a conflict over resources and military presence.

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Halal: Chasing The $500 Billion Industry

Halal: Chasing The $500 Billion Industry

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: The race is on to establish powerful international ‘halal brands’. The stakes are high: by some estimates $500bn a year.

 Abu Muhammed

Rethinking Education To Build Real Saudi Prosperity

Rethinking Education To Build Real Saudi Prosperity

ABU MUHAMMED: The only thing stopping Saudi from becoming a superpower is Saudi. A nation cannot truly be great until it can educate its own.

 Common Ground News Service

Being a Muslim Feminist: Yes, It Is Possible

Being a Muslim Feminist: Yes, It Is Possible

FATEMEH FAKHRAIE, CGNEWS: I see no contradiction in being both a Muslim and a feminist. Unfortunately, many other people do…

 Shelina Zahra Janmohamed

Dedicated – and Faithful – Followers of Fashion

Dedicated – and Faithful – Followers of Fashion

SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Bloomberg has estimated the global Muslim fashion market could be worth $96bn. For comparisons, the entire UK fashion industry is valued at £21bn.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Arabia: The Merits of University for All?

Saudi Arabia: The Merits of University for All?

CROSSROADS ARABIA: It’s not just Saudi, the US has certainly pushed the idea that without a university degree one is starting out as a failure.

 mai abdul rahman

Dangerous Liaisons: Clerics & Conservative Women

Dangerous Liaisons: Clerics & Conservative Women

MAI ABDUL RAHMAN: A dangerous liaison is taking place in the Arab world with Muslim clerics advancing outlandish religious views using the voice of Muslim conservative women.

 thehedonista

For the Love of Biryani: Judging the Region’s Favourite Dish

For the Love of Biryani: Judging the Region’s Favourite Dish

THE HEDONISTA: It’s a simple, humble dish beloved of hundreds of millions of people. So how can you judge something about which you know very little?

 American Bedu

How do you Accurately Define a Muslim?

How do you Accurately Define a Muslim?

AMERICAN BEDU: It’s a topic that seems, more often than not, to generate more heat than light but here’s my attempt to define a Muslim.