30 July-5 August – Islam in Media Roundup

Ethiopian Prime Minister to UAE’s Crown Prince: ‘You Have Lost Islam’

Ethiopian Prime Minister to UAE’s Crown Prince: ‘You Have Lost Islam’

Middle East Monitor

Abiy Ahmed, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, asked UAE Crown Prince Muhammed bin Zayed for help in building an Islamic Institute in Addis Ababa.
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Assam: Some Four Million Left Out of Final India NRC Draft List

Assam: Some Four Million Left Out of Final India NRC Draft List

Aljazeera

The names of four million Indians in the state of Assam were excluded from the official list of citizens.
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Welcome to the Palestine Aquarium, the First of its Kind

Welcome to the Palestine Aquarium, the First of its Kind

Aljazeera

The Palestine Aquarium in Ramallah opened July 22nd and has been a great attraction for Palestinians.
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Iranian Sunni leader makes appeal to Iraq's top Shiite cleric

Iranian Sunni leader makes appeal to Iraq's top Shiite cleric

Al Monitor

Molavi Abdul Hamid, a prominent Sunni leader in Iran, pleads with Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, to mediate between Iranian authorities and Iran’s Sunni community.
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Twitter Hires Experts in Islam and Right-Wing Populism to Banish ‘Intolerant Discourse’

Twitter Hires Experts in Islam and Right-Wing Populism to Banish ‘Intolerant Discourse’

Metro

Twitter launched a new project to help reduce negative echo chambers on the platform.
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U.S. Pastor Appeals for Release, Lifting Travel Ban: Lawyer

U.S. Pastor Appeals for Release, Lifting Travel Ban: Lawyer

Reuters

U.S. Christian pastor appealed a Turkish court for release from house arrest and lifting the travel ban.
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What are Madrasa Schools and What Skills Do They Impart?

What are Madrasa Schools and What Skills Do They Impart?

The Conversation

Madrasa schools grew out of study circles at mosques and became independent centers of learning by the eleventh-century, teaching grammar, calculation, and the memorization of the Qur’an.
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Imran Khan must help end the persecution of Pakistan’s Ahmadi Muslims

Imran Khan must help end the persecution of Pakistan’s Ahmadi Muslims

The Washington Post

Ahmadi Muslims were disenfranchised at the polls, leading to a call for Imran Khan to end the exclusion of Ahmadi Muslims from the public square.
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As Muslim students fight for protection, some parents battle to keep Islam out of schools

As Muslim students fight for protection, some parents battle to keep Islam out of schools

PRI

Combating Islamophobia in schools across the country remains a difficult task.
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A Crime or a Right? Some Danish Muslims to Defy Face Veil Ban

A Crime or a Right? Some Danish Muslims to Defy Face Veil Ban

Reuters

Muslim women in Denmark will protest the face veil ban that will start on August 1st.
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Recruited by Iran to fight for Syrian regime, young Afghans bring home cash and scars

Recruited by Iran to fight for Syrian regime, young Afghans bring home cash and scars

The Washington Post

Iran has been training and supporting Shiite men from Afghanistan to fight for the Assad regime in Syria.
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The Mesut Ozil Case is an Opportunity for Muslims in Europe

The Mesut Ozil Case is an Opportunity for Muslims in Europe

TRT World

The racism faced by a world-champion national football player, and the lack of protection from the football association and his country, typifies the discrimination between races and religions in Europe.
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As U.S. Pushes for Mideast Peace, Saudi Kingdom Reassures Allies

As U.S. Pushes for Mideast Peace, Saudi Kingdom Reassures Allies

Reuters

Saudi Arabia has reassured its Arab allies that it will not endorse any peace plans in the Middle East that does not include the status of Jerusalem and the return of refugees.
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FIFA Under Pressure to Hold Inquiry into Qatar World Cup Bid

FIFA Under Pressure to Hold Inquiry into Qatar World Cup Bid

Al Arabiya

Pressured by a report from the Financial Times stating that Qatar broke the rules of FIFA when bidding to host the World Cup in 2022, FIFA may have to open a new inquiry to investigate Qatar.
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Redneck Muslim

Redneck Muslim

The Atlantic

A documentary film about a Muslim born into a southern Baptist family in Mississippi has been released.
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Muslim Candidates Band Together in Michigan

Muslim Candidates Band Together in Michigan

The Washington Post

Massive crowds gathered at a #MyMuslimVote rally in Michigan, supporting several Muslim American candidates running for office this November.
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Iranians Criticise Trump's Offer of Talks

Iranians Criticise Trump's Offer of Talks

BBC

US President Trump’s offer to talk with President Rouhani was not well received by Iranians.
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The Battle to Stop Ex-IS Fighters Reaching Europe

The Battle to Stop Ex-IS Fighters Reaching Europe

BBC

BBC follows the Free Syrian Army rebels and Turkish police in their attempt to trace ex-IS fighters who are fleeing from Syria back to Europe.
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Taliban Sources Confirm Qatar Meeting with Senior US Diplomat

Taliban Sources Confirm Qatar Meeting with Senior US Diplomat

BBC

The Afghan Taliban met secretly last week with a US diplomat in Qatar.
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On the Tariq Ramadan Affair

On the Tariq Ramadan Affair

Aljazeera

Tariq Ramadan is not receiving proper due process for rape charges in France.
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Dareen Tatour: Israeli Arab Sentenced for Incitement

Dareen Tatour: Israeli Arab Sentenced for Incitement

BBC

An Israeli Arab was arrested for poems allegedly inciting violence.
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Saudi Cleric Abdelaziz Al-Fawzan Arrested Over 'War on Religion' tweets

Saudi Cleric Abdelaziz Al-Fawzan Arrested Over 'War on Religion' tweets

Middle East Eye

An influential Saudi cleric was arrested for tweeting against the arrests of other religious clerics in Saudi Arabia.
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Asia's Minority Rights Crisis is Getting Worse

Asia's Minority Rights Crisis is Getting Worse

The Washington Post

Four million people were excluded from Assam’s list of citizens, rendering them possibly stateless, as Bangladesh does not consider them citizens.
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Wave of Muslim American Candidates Embracing Left-Wing Politics

Wave of Muslim American Candidates Embracing Left-Wing Politics

Middle East Eye

Muslim American candidate for governor in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed embraces a progressing socialist agenda for his campaign platform.
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What Richard Dawkins Doesn't Get About the Muslim Call to Prayer

What Richard Dawkins Doesn't Get About the Muslim Call to Prayer

The Conversation

Commentary on Richard Dawkins’ criticism of Muslim call for prayer.
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For Many Muslim Grocery Shoppers, a Shifting in Definition of 'Halal'

For Many Muslim Grocery Shoppers, a Shifting in Definition of 'Halal'

The Conversation

Over time, Muslims have started to look more deeply into what defines halal food and have made changes accordingly.
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Ahed Tamimi Will Remain Prisoner Until Israel Occupation Ends

Ahed Tamimi Will Remain Prisoner Until Israel Occupation Ends

Alaraby

Ahed Tamimi is not truly free, as she is returning to the West Bank, a larger prison.
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Chinese Surveillance Expands to Muslims Making Mecca Pilgrimage

Chinese Surveillance Expands to Muslims Making Mecca Pilgrimage

Wall Street Journal

The Chinese state has issued tracking card to Chinese Muslims making Pilgrimage.
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Imran Khan's Shine Won't Last as Pakistan's Prime Minister

Imran Khan's Shine Won't Last as Pakistan's Prime Minister

Foreign Policy

The author argues that Imran Khan’s popularity as Prime Minister won’t last because of his political inconsistencies.
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Are 300 recipes enough to counter anti-Muslim sentiment? One author is giving it a try

Are 300 recipes enough to counter anti-Muslim sentiment? One author is giving it a try

The Washington Post

Anissa Helou shares Lebanese history and experiences through a cookbook.
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‘Being Muslim’ offers an alternative history of Islam in America

‘Being Muslim’ offers an alternative history of Islam in America

Religion News

A book has been published on the forgotten black Muslim women in America in the past century and leading up to today.
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Violent extremism: how communities can help counter it

Violent extremism: how communities can help counter it

The Conversation

Local communities in the UK are being called on by the government to help combat violent extremism and radicalisation.
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The distortion of Islam that drives terrorism

The distortion of Islam that drives terrorism

The Washington Post

The association of the word ‘jihad’ with terrorism is a distortion of its true Qur’anic meaning.
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The Real Founders of Fake News? American Islamophobes

The Real Founders of Fake News? American Islamophobes

The Nation

Anti-Muslim activists spread falsehoods through their networks, warning against Muslim Americans of all walks of life.
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Tommy Robinson, Anti-Muslim Activist, Is Freed on Bail in U.K.

Tommy Robinson, Anti-Muslim Activist, Is Freed on Bail in U.K.

The New York Times

Tommy Robinson was freed by the Court of Appeals pending another trial; the Court questioned the speed of his previous one.
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‘Threats Won’t Stop Me Feeding Refugees’

‘Threats Won’t Stop Me Feeding Refugees’

BBC News

Maria Makrogianni, known as Mamma Maria, used to feed refugees from her restaurant on the Greek island of Samos, but after the restaurant’s closure she feeds them from her house.
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Fields Medal: UK Refugee Wins ‘Biggest Maths Prize’

Fields Medal: UK Refugee Wins ‘Biggest Maths Prize’

BBC News

Kurdish mathematician Caucher Birkar, who came to the UK as a refugee from Iran and works at the University of Cambridge, won the Fields Medal in Mathematics.
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Danish ban on face-covering garments enters into force

Danish ban on face-covering garments enters into force

AP News

On Wednesday, the ban on Muslim face-covering garments takes effect, leading to demonstrations and verbal clashing between supporters and opponents of the law.
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Saudi Arabia ‘Arrests Two Women’s Rights Activists’

Saudi Arabia ‘Arrests Two Women’s Rights Activists’

Aljazeera

Saudi Arabia cracks down on peaceful dissent, arresting two women’s rights activists, Samar Badawi and Nassima al-Sadah, for campaigning the women’s right to drive and the removal of male guardianship laws in the past.
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What’s So Scary About the Muslim Brotherhood?

What’s So Scary About the Muslim Brotherhood?

Middle East Eye

The author talks about her book, Rentier Islamism: The Influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gulf Monarchies, to explain the designation of Muslim Brotherhood groups as terrorist organizations by the Gulf States.
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Kazakh Court Frees Woman in Case That Shed Light on Chinese Camps

Kazakh Court Frees Woman in Case That Shed Light on Chinese Camps

The Wall Street Journal

Due to Beijing’s treatment of its Muslim minority, a court in Kazakhstan ruled that an ethnic Kazakh Chinese national should not be deported to China.
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Mahathir Mohamad on Islam, Politics and the Love of His Life

Mahathir Mohamad on Islam, Politics and the Love of His Life

CNN

In an interview with the oldest Prime Minister in the world, Mahathir of Malaysia at age 93, stated that Islam as read from the Quran, is moderate and peaceful.
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‘No Problem’ with Non-Muslims Holding High Political Office in Indonesia: Agus Yudhoyono

‘No Problem’ with Non-Muslims Holding High Political Office in Indonesia: Agus Yudhoyono

Channel News Asia

Agus Yudhoyono, son of a former president and a possible candidate for vice president, said that holding office should be based off of merit and not religion.
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The Other Side of Gaza: Swimming, Canoeing and ‘Trying’ to Be a Child

The Other Side of Gaza: Swimming, Canoeing and ‘Trying’ to Be a Child

Aljazeera

Away from terror rhetoric, Abu Ayman helps children in Gaza lead a normal life by teaching them how to swim.
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Qatar Denies Preventing its Citizens from Performing Annual Hajj

Qatar Denies Preventing its Citizens from Performing Annual Hajj

Aljazeera

Qatar denies preventing citizens from performing Hajj, saying political issues will not get in the way of performing a pillar of Islam.
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After ISIS, Iraq Is Still Broken

After ISIS, Iraq Is Still Broken

The Atlantic

Even after the liberation of Mosul from ISIS, the city still lies in ruins and residents are unable to find jobs due to their suspected association with ISIS.
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British Muslims' fear of Prevent is based on facts not perceptions

British Muslims' fear of Prevent is based on facts not perceptions

Middle East Eye

The Muslim community in Manchester fear the implications and preconceptions behind the Prevent program, based on statistics that shows the program targets Muslims.
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Saudi Arabia Planned to Invade Qatar Last Summer. Rex Tillerson’s Efforts to Stop It May Have Cost Him His Job

Saudi Arabia Planned to Invade Qatar Last Summer. Rex Tillerson’s Efforts to Stop It May Have Cost Him His Job

The Intercept

Press reports suggest that pressure from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates led to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s departure, stemming from his mediation efforts in the Qatar crisis.
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Can Our Child Be Both a Muslim and a Jew?

Can Our Child Be Both a Muslim and a Jew?

The Washington Post

The child of a Jewish mother and a Muslim father has grown up learning both Jewish and Muslim practices and traditions.
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U.K. Court Can Dissolve a Muslim Marriage, Judge Rules

U.K. Court Can Dissolve a Muslim Marriage, Judge Rules

The New York Times

Because Muslim couples in the UK often wed through religious ceremonies and do not register the marriage with the civil authorities, marriages are often not recognized by the state and could lead to many disadvantages.
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Suicide Bomb Attack on Afghan Shi'ite Mosque kills 25

Suicide Bomb Attack on Afghan Shi'ite Mosque kills 25

Reuters

Suicide bomber attacked a Shi’ite mosque during Friday prayer in eastern Afghanistan.
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My son, Osama: the Al-Qaida Leader’s Mother Speaks for the First Time

My son, Osama: the Al-Qaida Leader’s Mother Speaks for the First Time

The Guardian

Bin Laden’s mother speaks about how her son was raised well, but he was brainwashed by a cult in his 20s.
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In Pictures: Hiking the Sinai Trail

In Pictures: Hiking the Sinai Trail

BBC

The Sinai trail opened in 2015, stretching from the Gulf of Aqaba to the top of Egypt’s highest mountain, Jebel Katherina.
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Indian Officials Say Assam Registar Does Not Target Muslims

Indian Officials Say Assam Registar Does Not Target Muslims

BBC

Indian officials say that the Assam citizen register targets illegal immigrants, not Muslims.
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Migrant Rescue Ship Aquarius Won’t Take People Back to Libya

Migrant Rescue Ship Aquarius Won’t Take People Back to Libya

Reuters

Aquarius, a rescue ship in the Mediterranean that has saved over 3000 migrants, will not return any rescued migrants to Libya in the future.
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South Sudan Government and Rebels Reach Peace Deal

South Sudan Government and Rebels Reach Peace Deal

Reuters

The president of South Sudan signed a lasting ceasefire and power sharing agreement with the head of the rebel group, an agreement intended to start an era of lasting peace.
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Israel Says Gaza Truce Talks Focus on Easing Closure in Return for Calm

Israel Says Gaza Truce Talks Focus on Easing Closure in Return for Calm

Reuters

Israeli would consider easing the blockade of Gaza if  Palestinians were to refrain from violent protests.
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Zaghari-Ratcliffe Family See ‘Fresh Start’ with Hunt as Foreign Secretary

Zaghari-Ratcliffe Family See ‘Fresh Start’ with Hunt as Foreign Secretary

BBC

 In 2016, a British-Iranian charity worker was sentenced to five years in prison over spying allegations; the new Foreign Secretary has promised to make the case his top priority.
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Video: Mehdi Hasan Interviews Abdul El-Sayed, Progressive Candidate in Michigan’s Democratic Primary

Video: Mehdi Hasan Interviews Abdul El-Sayed, Progressive Candidate in Michigan’s Democratic Primary

The Intercept

The Intercept published an interview with the 33-year-old Muslim doctor and health policy expert running for governor in Michigan.
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‘Remembering how to be Children’: Young Rohingya Overcome Trauma

‘Remembering how to be Children’: Young Rohingya Overcome Trauma

Aljazeera

Spaces dedicated for Rohingya children in Kutapalong camp host aid workers providing counselling and teaching life skills.
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Shia Blocs in Iraq Remain Divided Months After Vote

Shia Blocs in Iraq Remain Divided Months After Vote

Aljazeera

Iraq is trying to form a coalition government after the recent elections, but the Shia bloc is still divided.
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John L. Esposito and Natana J. DeLong-Bas, Shariah: What Everyone Needs to Know (New Texts Out Now)

John L. Esposito and Natana J. DeLong-Bas, Shariah: What Everyone Needs to Know (New Texts Out Now)

Jadaliyya

Professors John Esposito and Natana DeLong-Bas have written a book that provides factual information regarding Islamic law and Shariah.
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Saudi Arabia May Relax its Ban on Christian Churches

Saudi Arabia May Relax its Ban on Christian Churches

The Economist

Near the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia lies a 7th century monastery, indicating that church building was once tolerated in Saudi Arabia.
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Here’s How Anti-Muslim Groups On Facebook Overlap With A Range Of Far-Right Extremism

Here’s How Anti-Muslim Groups On Facebook Overlap With A Range Of Far-Right Extremism

BuzzFeedNews

Anti-Muslim rhetoric in some far-right groups on Facebook is alarming.
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Banning Muslim Veils Tends to Backfire—Why Do Countries Keep Doing It?

Banning Muslim Veils Tends to Backfire—Why Do Countries Keep Doing It?

The Atlantic

The idea behind banning the Muslim veil is to integrate and provide equality between genders and races; however it seems more isolating and discriminatory.
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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!