February 13 – 19

By Maydan Editors  //  

Maydan Editors

The Maydan is an online publication of the AbuSulayman Center for Global Islamic Studies at George Mason University. The Maydan team is composed of the Center's faculty members and graduate students both within and outside GMU.
Why are some black Africans considered white Americans?

Why are some black Africans considered white Americans?

Al Jazeera

Activist/educator Hind Makki draws on her own Sudanese American background and experience and discusses the intersection of race and religion in America.
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On Scholars, Politics and the Prophetic Imperative to Truly Spread Peace

On Scholars, Politics and the Prophetic Imperative to Truly Spread Peace

Ummah Wide

Columbia University doctoral student Ebadur Rahman discusses the role and positions of scholars Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah and Hamza Yusuf regarding politics, political Islam and geopolitics over the last couple of years.
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Trump's Muslim Ban and the Challenge of the Left Today

Trump's Muslim Ban and the Challenge of the Left Today

Truth Out

Jamil Khader writes that the problem for the left today is how to link criticisms of political economy with resistance to policies like the Trump administrations “Muslim ban.”
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Gender Issues Are a National Problem, Not Just a Muslim Problem: A Response to Baroness Cox’s Statement

Gender Issues Are a National Problem, Not Just a Muslim Problem: A Response to Baroness Cox’s Statement

Sharia Source

Hadeer Soliman responds to Baroness Cox’s attempt to pass an amendment to existing criminal legislation stating that  religious marriages must comply with existing marriage laws in England and Wales.
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How Islamic Scholarship Birthed Modern Astronomy

How Islamic Scholarship Birthed Modern Astronomy

Astronomy Magazine

Shannon Stirone exams the rich historical landscape of Muslim scholars and scientists who studied and expounded upon Greek science, thus laying the foundation for modern scientific discoveries.
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Indonesia's Moderate Islam is Slowly Crumbling

Indonesia's Moderate Islam is Slowly Crumbling

The Chicago Tribune

The organization Nahdlatul Ulama in Indonesia is battling growing conservative, majoritarian tendencies amongst some of its followers who want to see the group go in a different direction.
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In France, Some Muslims Seek To 'Adapt' Islam To Secular Culture

In France, Some Muslims Seek To 'Adapt' Islam To Secular Culture

NPR

Tareq Oubrou, an imam in Bordeaux, and Hakim El Karoui, a Muslim writer and business consultant, share how a “French Islam” is possible in one of the most secular countries in the world.
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Why Saying ‘Radical Islamic Terrorism’ Isn’t Enough

Why Saying ‘Radical Islamic Terrorism’ Isn’t Enough

The New York Times

Richard Stengel, former under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs under President Obama, discusses why simply labeling violent extremism “radical Islamic terrorism” won’t solve anything.
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Americans Express Increasingly Warm Feelings Toward Religious Groups

Americans Express Increasingly Warm Feelings Toward Religious Groups

Pew Research Center

According to a new PEW Research poll, Americans “generally express more positive feelings toward various religious groups today than they did just a few years ago.”
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I Told Steve Bannon: ‘We Are Not At War With Islam.’ He Disagreed.

I Told Steve Bannon: ‘We Are Not At War With Islam.’ He Disagreed.

The Huffington Post

Flemming Rose, a senior fellow at the CATO Institute, reflects on a conversation about Islam with Steve Bannon, a top political advisor for President Trump.
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Studying Religion in the Era of Trump — Scholars’ Roundtable, Part 1

Studying Religion in the Era of Trump — Scholars’ Roundtable, Part 1

UChicago-Religion and Culture Forum

Religion and Culture Forum at University of Chicago hosts scholars to discuss different aspect of studying religion during the Trump Administration. Part 1 is by Anthony Petro.
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Brutal killing that made a Yemeni immigrant hero of US labor movement

Brutal killing that made a Yemeni immigrant hero of US labor movement

Al Arabiya

Rua’a Alameri writes on a little known aspect of American history.
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Trump’s dangerous delusions about Islam

Trump’s dangerous delusions about Islam

The Guardian

Christopher de Bellaigue says Trump and his advisers are wrong on Islam and Middle Eastern history.
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The Little Syria of Deep Valley

The Little Syria of Deep Valley

The New yorker

 Jia Tolentino explores the long history of Syrian-Americans for the New Yorker.
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This group believes Islam threatens America: ‘It’s a spiritual battle of good and evil.’

This group believes Islam threatens America: ‘It’s a spiritual battle of good and evil.’

The Washington Post

An examination of Islamophobic group ACT for America and their networks in the White House.
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“Crying is an everyday thing”: life after Trump’s “Muslim ban” at a majority-immigrant school

“Crying is an everyday thing”: life after Trump’s “Muslim ban” at a majority-immigrant school

Vox

 Trump’s Muslim ban sends shockwaves through communities whose lives are at risk due to their visa status in the U.S.. Children and schools are dramatically affected.
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An American Muslim Veteran Reflects on Resisting the Muslim Ban

An American Muslim Veteran Reflects on Resisting the Muslim Ban

AltMuslimah

Usmaan Z. Chaudhry served for 4 years in the U.S. Air Force and reflects on patriotism, protests and his sense of shock at what the America he served is becoming.
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Why Do So Many Americans Fear Muslims? Decades of Denial About America’s Role in the World:

Why Do So Many Americans Fear Muslims? Decades of Denial About America’s Role in the World:

The Intercept

Jon Schwarz offers a realist diagnosis of the contemporary problem with American exceptionalism. Schwarz suggests Americans take a long, hard look at their involvement in foreign countries before despairing about perceived threats of “radical Islam.”
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The Mythology of the Sectarian Middle East

The Mythology of the Sectarian Middle East

RiceU the Baker Institute

Ussama Makdisi discusses the different problems with talking about the Middle East through the lens of sectarianism as a self-evident explanation without recourse to its historical formation.
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Egypt’s clerics are resisting the president’s call to renew Islam: Reforming Islam in Egypt:

Egypt’s clerics are resisting the president’s call to renew Islam: Reforming Islam in Egypt:

The Economist

Egypt’s President Sisi has called on al-Azhar scholars to reform the school, but many are resisting despite the fact that they have accommodated Sisi in the past. 
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Facing harsh political climate, Muslim students seek more support from chaplain

Facing harsh political climate, Muslim students seek more support from chaplain

Columbia Daily Spectator

 Columbia University’s Muslim Students Association urges the university to join peers and hire a full-time chaplain.
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Maydan editors selected some of the most thought-provoking news items on issues around Islam, religion and public-life for you. Let us know what you have been reading. Drop us a line at mediaroundups@themaydan.com!