14-21 April Islam in Media Roundup

Faith Politics on the Rise as Indonesian Islam Takes a Hard-Line Path

Faith Politics on the Rise as Indonesian Islam Takes a Hard-Line Path

The New York Times

Joko Widido’s election in 2014 was seen as a victory for the moderate Islam that has long flourished in this country. In 2019, Widido has veered rightward and supported religiously conservative practices.
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Indonesia candidates: Metal fan, cleric, soldier, tycoon

Indonesia candidates: Metal fan, cleric, soldier, tycoon

AP News

Indonesia’s presidential election Wednesday pits incumbent Joko Widodo against former special forces Gen. Prabowo Subianto in a repeat of the 2014 contest.
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Islam Underlines Indonesian Election But that Doesn’t Make it a Threat

Islam Underlines Indonesian Election But that Doesn’t Make it a Threat

VOA

Though an emphasis has been placed on conservative Islamic issues in commentary on Indonesia’s presidential election, mundane issues like transport and getting the kids off to school will hold far greater significance when ballots are cast.
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 Rep. Ilhan Omar Was Right: Threats Against Muslim Americans Are Rising

Rep. Ilhan Omar Was Right: Threats Against Muslim Americans Are Rising

Mother Jones

While Omar misspoke about CAIR’s history—the group was formed in 1994, though its membership jumped after 9/11—her argument that Muslim Americans have faced increasing suspicion is backed by plenty of evidence.
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Ilhan Omar’s Deeply American Message

Ilhan Omar’s Deeply American Message

The Atlantic

Omar’s core argument was simple: We Muslims are not guests here. We are as American as everyone else and, thus, we should bring our full selves into the public square.
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The problem with Muslim celebrity culture

The problem with Muslim celebrity culture

Al Jazeera

The online platform Muslims of the World announced on its Instagram account a competition to win a ‘free trip to New Zealand, sparking anger among the families of the Christchurch victims. The contest has since been canceled and Muslims of the World issued an apology.
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In Attacking Ilhan Omar, Trump Revives His Familiar Refrain Against Muslims

In Attacking Ilhan Omar, Trump Revives His Familiar Refrain Against Muslims

The New York Times

Mr. Trump and his team are trying to make Ms. Omar, who is relatively unknown in national politics, a household name, to be seen as the most prominent voice of the Democratic Party, regardless of her actual position.
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Web of hate is rooted in putting all Muslims in one category

Web of hate is rooted in putting all Muslims in one category

The Conversation

It’s clear that Islamophobia is on the rise globally. This antipathy towards adherents of the Muslim faith is often presented as a violent reaction to terrorism committed by the Islamic State, a theory rejected by Chris Allen at the University of Birmingham.
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Mohamed Salah: Andrew Robertson claims Liverpool star ‘shut up’ racist fans with goal against Chelsea

Mohamed Salah: Andrew Robertson claims Liverpool star ‘shut up’ racist fans with goal against Chelsea

The Independent

The Egyptian was the subject of Islamophobic chants from Blues fans during their recent Europa League away trip to Prague, with the lyrics, “Salah is a bomber” heard as a video went viral on social media.
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Ayodhya: the history of a 500-year-old land dispute between Hindus and Muslims in India

Ayodhya: the history of a 500-year-old land dispute between Hindus and Muslims in India

The Conversation

Much of the Indian city of Ayodhya is dotted with small Hindu temples. But there is a particular site with no temple on it, which draws worldwide attention and remains a flashpoint of Hindu-Muslim religious tension.
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Facebook allowed violent posts by man charged with Ilhan Omar death threat

Facebook allowed violent posts by man charged with Ilhan Omar death threat

The Guardian

Patrick Carlineo, of upstate New York, posted several entries to his Facebook page alluding to violence against Muslims and US officials including former president Barack Obama, a Guardian review found.
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Notre Dame and Al-Aqsa Fires Give Christians and Muslims a Chance to Work Together to Repair Their Sacred Spaces | Opinion

Notre Dame and Al-Aqsa Fires Give Christians and Muslims a Chance to Work Together to Repair Their Sacred Spaces | Opinion

Newsweek

While the fires are indeed unfortunate, they provide an opportunity for Christians and Muslims to reflect upon their common humanity and assist each other in the repairing of sacred spaces.
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India's Supreme Court considers the call to open mosques to women

India's Supreme Court considers the call to open mosques to women

Reuters

India’s Supreme Court agreed on Tuesday to consider a petition from a Muslim couple to allow women into mosques, seeking to overturn a centuries-old practice that largely bars women from the places of worship.
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Job recruiters discriminate against Muslims, and it doesn’t end at the interview stage

Job recruiters discriminate against Muslims, and it doesn’t end at the interview stage

The Conversation

A study from the University of Oxford recently showed that black and Asian people have to send almost twice as many job applications as white British people before they get a response.
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How the far right spread politically convenient lies about the Notre Dame fire

How the far right spread politically convenient lies about the Notre Dame fire

The Washington Post

In the hours before the French police provided an explanation for the fire at the Notre Dame, the prevailing view of far-right figures was nearly identical and, apparently, completely false: that the fire was deliberate and most probably set by Muslims.
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Malaysia probes book on Muslim women who refuse to wear headscarves

Malaysia probes book on Muslim women who refuse to wear headscarves

Reuters

Malaysia’s religious authorities on Wednesday said they were investigating a book about Muslim women who choose not to wear a hijab, prompting a backlash among women’s rights groups.
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A Small Fire Broke Out at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque as Flames Ravaged Notre-Dame

A Small Fire Broke Out at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque as Flames Ravaged Notre-Dame

Smithsonian Magazine

The Notre Dame cathedral suffered significant losses, while Al-Aqsa escaped relatively unscathed, sustaining damage to a single mobile guard booth.
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Malaysia investigates women who discussed their 'dehijabbing'

Malaysia investigates women who discussed their 'dehijabbing'

The Guardian

Three women in Malaysia who held an event discussing their decision to stop wearing the hijab are being investigated by Malaysian Islamic authorities. The event was held to mark the launch of Unveiling Choice, a book documenting the author and activist Maryam Lee’s decision to stop wearing the hijab.
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In Indonesia's election, the winner is Widodo - and Islam

In Indonesia's election, the winner is Widodo - and Islam

Reuters

Unofficial results from Wednesday’s poll show that incumbent President Joko Widodo was the winner and is set for a second five-year term – but they also reveal a hardening bloc of conservative Muslims who voted for his challenger.
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India’s Government Considers a ‘Muslim Ban’

India’s Government Considers a ‘Muslim Ban’

The Wall Street Journal

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party wants to fast-track Indian citizenship for non-Muslim migrants from neighboring countries while pointedly excluding Muslims.
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Mohamed Salah keeps his balance while Islamophobia persists

Mohamed Salah keeps his balance while Islamophobia persists

Middle East Eye

Last week, a video of a group of Chelsea fans singing “Salah is a bomber” about Liverpool footballer Mohamed Salah was circulated online, sparking outrage and widespread condemnation.
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College golfer in hijab out to blaze trail for Muslim girls

College golfer in hijab out to blaze trail for Muslim girls

AP News

Noor Ahmed outwardly lives her Muslim faith, and even growing up in a state as diverse as California she says she encountered hostility on the street, in school and on the golf course.
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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!