Islam in Media Roundup | 23 – 29 September 2019

In San Diego, Muslims Question Rollout of City’s ‘Smart’ Streetlights

In San Diego, Muslims Question Rollout of City’s ‘Smart’ Streetlights

Religion News

Local civil rights activists and minority community leaders have raised questions about the potential for the smart streetlights — which are equipped with cameras, mics and sensors to collect data for city planning purposes and traffic control — to be used to invade San Diegans’ privacy.
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China is Killing Religious and Ethnic Minorities and Harvesting their Organs, UN Human Rights Council Told

China is Killing Religious and Ethnic Minorities and Harvesting their Organs, UN Human Rights Council Told

The Independent

Speaking at the council’s headquarters in Geneva on Tuesday, lawyer Hamid Sabi presented the findings of the China Tribunal, an independent tribunal on allegations of forced organ harvesting.
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Tech Companies Join Muslim Groups in Support of Historic Bill to End Travel Ban

Tech Companies Join Muslim Groups in Support of Historic Bill to End Travel Ban

Religion News

Ahead of a congressional hearing this week on the Trump administration’s travel ban, more than a dozen leading technology companies, including Twitter and Airbnb, have thrown their support behind a congressional bill to end the controversial measure.
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American Jews and American Muslims Have a Common Antagonist

American Jews and American Muslims Have a Common Antagonist

New York Times

Homegrown nativists strongly dislike both groups, which ought to help them work toward mutual understanding.
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Sinéad O’Connor: ‘I’ve been Muslim my Whole Life and didn’t Even Know It’

Sinéad O’Connor: ‘I’ve been Muslim my Whole Life and didn’t Even Know It’

Metro UK

The 52-year-old singer converted to Islam in 2018 and changed her name to Shuhada Davitt and has explained that once she read the Quran – the central religious text of Islam – she knew Islam was the religion for her.
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Kashmir in Focus at Muslim Day Parade in New York

Kashmir in Focus at Muslim Day Parade in New York

Al Jazeera

Organisers estimate nearly 3,000 people attended annual parade, which focused on security lockdown in Kashmir.
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UN General Assembly 2019: All the Latest Updates

UN General Assembly 2019: All the Latest Updates

Al Jazeera

The meeting comes amid simmering tension in the Middle East over recent attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities, which the United States blames on Iran, allegations Tehran denies.
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Myanmar Military Chief seeks Muslim Redemption

Myanmar Military Chief seeks Muslim Redemption

Asia Times

Min Aung Hlaing, accused of war crimes against Rohingya Muslims, has evidently had a change of heart.
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Sonny Bill Williams Fumes after Instagram Deletes pictures of Muslim Rugby Star Praying before World Cup Clash

Sonny Bill Williams Fumes after Instagram Deletes pictures of Muslim Rugby Star Praying before World Cup Clash

Mirror UK

The New Zealand star was not happy after the social media website took down the images shortly after they were posted.
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A church, a Synagogue and a Mosque to Share Interfaith Complex in Abu Dhabi

A church, a Synagogue and a Mosque to Share Interfaith Complex in Abu Dhabi

Fox News

The United Arab Emirates unveiled plans this weekend for an interfaith complex in Abu Dhabi that will unite a church, a synagogue and a mosque.
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Despite Muslim Ban, President Trump Says 'Religious Freedom' is One of his Highest Priorities

Despite Muslim Ban, President Trump Says 'Religious Freedom' is One of his Highest Priorities

MSNBC

On Monday at the United Nations General Assembly, President Trump said “protecting religious freedom is one of my highest priorities and always has been.” Morning Joe points out that these remarks contradict President Trump’s Muslim ban.
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Muslim Americans Testify on Effects of Trump's Travel Ban

Muslim Americans Testify on Effects of Trump's Travel Ban

Al Jazeera

House panels hold first congressional hearing on the effects of ban on nationals from several Muslim-majority countries.
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GOP Brings Expert From Hate Group to House’s First-Ever Hearing on Trump’s Muslim Ban

GOP Brings Expert From Hate Group to House’s First-Ever Hearing on Trump’s Muslim Ban

The Daily Beast

The hearing was in essence a microcosm of the competing values of the two parties.
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‘Islam is RIGHT About Women’ Flyers Spark Concern in Winchester

‘Islam is RIGHT About Women’ Flyers Spark Concern in Winchester

7 News Boston

Residents in Winchester are debating free speech versus hate speech after flyers reading “Islam is RIGHT About Women” were found plastered around town.
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Feds Cite Islam Focus in review of Duke-UNC Language Grant

Feds Cite Islam Focus in review of Duke-UNC Language Grant

AP

The Trump administration is threatening to cut funding for a Middle East studies program run by the University of North Carolina and Duke University, arguing that it’s misusing a federal grant to advance “ideological priorities” and unfairly promote “the positive aspects of Islam” but not Christianity or Judaism.
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Alala’s Debut ‘Twenty’ Explores Struggles in Sudan

Alala’s Debut ‘Twenty’ Explores Struggles in Sudan

Variety

When a prophecy from a traveling sheik portends that a young Sudanese boy will die at the age of 20, he and his mother are faced with the difficult task of navigating the space between coming of age and confronting the end.
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US: Airstrike against Islamic State in Libya Kills 11

US: Airstrike against Islamic State in Libya Kills 11

NY Post

The US military says it has carried out an airstrike against the Islamic State group in Libya, the second US airstrike in the North African country in less than a week.
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China Wants the World to Stay Silent on Muslim Camps. It’s Succeeding.

China Wants the World to Stay Silent on Muslim Camps. It’s Succeeding.

NY Times

The world has been noticeably quiet about Xinjiang, where China has built a vast network of detention camps and systematic surveillance over the past two years in a state-led operation to convert Uighurs into loyal, secular supporters of the Communist Party.
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U.S. Terrorism Policy Paved the Way for China’s Repression

U.S. Terrorism Policy Paved the Way for China’s Repression

Foreign Policy

U.S.-favored policies in Central Asia must be rolled back to help save the Uighur people.
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The Network of Hindu Nationalists Behind Modi’s “Diaspora Diplomacy” in the U.S.

The Network of Hindu Nationalists Behind Modi’s “Diaspora Diplomacy” in the U.S.

The Intercept

The fanfare surrounding the Indian prime minister’s visit was jarring in light of recent moves by Modi and the BJP that have had calamitous consequences for Muslims in India.
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 Muslim Woman Sues Virginia Company, Says they didn't Hire her over Prayer Breaks

Muslim Woman Sues Virginia Company, Says they didn't Hire her over Prayer Breaks

NBC

A request for two five-minute prayer breaks allegedly ended Shahin Indorewala’s application, she claims in a discrimination lawsuit.
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Analysis: To Combat Islamophobia, Khan bridges East and West

Analysis: To Combat Islamophobia, Khan bridges East and West

AP

He spoke of Islam — his religion — but he used references like Charles Bronson’s “Death Wish” movie, Monty Python and Japanese kamikaze pilots during World War II. He built linguistic and pop-culture bridges as he carefully made his points.
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Harry and Meghan visit South Africa’s Oldest Mosque on Tour

Harry and Meghan visit South Africa’s Oldest Mosque on Tour

AP

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, and her husband, Prince Harry, have visited South Africa’s oldest mosque as their first official tour as a family continues for a second day.
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Saudi Arabia implements Public Decency Code as it Opens to Tourists

Saudi Arabia implements Public Decency Code as it Opens to Tourists

Reuters

Saudi Arabia said on Saturday it would issue fines for 19 offences related to public decency, such as immodest dress and public displays of affection, as the Muslim kingdom opens up to foreign tourists.
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Why Democratic Presidential Candidates Need to Listen to American Muslims

Why Democratic Presidential Candidates Need to Listen to American Muslims

The Nation

We’re a significant voting bloc in key battleground states—and we have discovered the power of our collective voice.
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Halal If You Hear Me to Showcase Diversity in Islam

Halal If You Hear Me to Showcase Diversity in Islam

Al-Jazeera

Poetry book aims to show there are as many ways to be an American Muslim as there are Muslim people.
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 French Montana’s Niqab Artwork is well-meaning, but Reinforces a Tired Trope

French Montana’s Niqab Artwork is well-meaning, but Reinforces a Tired Trope

Gal-Dem

This week, French Montana has been the receiving end of widespread criticism over the artwork for his forthcoming album, Montana. The cover for the release features him sitting with three women on either side of him, all of whom are wearing black niqab (face veils) and thigh-high, bright red boots.
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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!