Democrats may change rule to allow Muslim member of Congress to wear headscarf
Think ProgressIn preparation for the swearing in of the most diverse congress in US history, Democrats’ planned rule changes include removing a ban on head coverings in the chamber that has stood for 181 years, making an accommodation for Minnesota Representative-elect Ilhan Omar’s hijab.
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Chinese city urges those 'poisoned by extremism', who follow conservative Islam to confess crimes
ReutersA city in China’s far-western Xinjiang region has ordered people who are “poisoned by extremism, terrorism and separatism”, in contact with overseas terror groups or act in a conservative Islamic manner, to turn themselves in to authorities.
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Mitzvah Day: Jews and Muslims come together to cook chicken soup
The GuardianMuslim and Jewish volunteers united at one of Europe’s largest mosques to cook vast quantities of the traditional matzo ball soup known as “Jewish penicillin” for the benefit of East London’s homeless community.
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Saudi cleric's son: 'Everyone is threatened'
Al-JazeeraUp Front speaks with Georgetown senior fellow Abdullah al-Awdah about the Saudi crown prince’s crackdown on dissent. Abdullah’s father is prominent cleric Salman al-Awdah, who was imprisoned in 2017 and faces the death penalty.
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Australians overestimate size of Muslim population, new polling shows
SBS NewsNew polling in Australia finds that almost half the population wants Muslim immigration cut, but that same population has an inaccurate picture of how many Muslims actually live in the country.
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How Al-Farabi Drew on Plato to Argue for Censorship in Islam
The WireThe Wire examines the Sufi philosopher who relied on Hellenistic ideas to build Islam’s dominant positions on imagery and free expression.
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What’s a Muslim to Do About Hajj?
SlateThe Saudi monarchy carries the title “Guardian of the Two Holy Sanctuaries” but Riyadh’s continued commercialization of the holiest sites in Islam, and restrictions on access to the rites of pilgrimage, has created a moral dilemma for Muslims who are obligated to visit Mecca.
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Letter from Africa: Sudan's fashion police shave off afros
BBCSudanese journalist Zeinab Mohammed Salih discusses at the contentious issue of fashion in a conservative Muslim society.
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Egypt looks to remove religion from ID cards — but is it too little, too late?
Al MonitorDespite President Sisi’s statements, and legislators’ efforts to emphasize and support freedom of religion in Egypt, more is required to end faith-based discrimination in the Muslim-majority country whose constitution draws on shari’a and enshrines Islam as the state religion.
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In Bosnia, Entrenched Ethnic Divisions Are a Warning to the World
The New York TimesOne Bosnian city shows that while Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks have much in common in daily life, society remains divided and nationalist political leaders continue to fan the flames of division.
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Hard-liners face backlash in Iranian holy city in wake of 'insulting' open letter
Al Monitor“A senior hard line cleric’s sniping at a grand ayatollah for meeting with reformists has sparked a backlash, revealing the depth of clerical opposition to radical conservatives.”
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Suicide Bomber Targets Clerics in Afghan Capital, 50 Killed
The New York TimesA suicide bomber targeted a gathering of hundreds of Islamic scholars in the Afghan capital on Tuesday, killing at least 50 people as Muslims marked the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
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Egyptians celebrate Prophet Mohammad's birth but miss sugar dolls
ReutersAs Egypt prepared to celebrate al-mawlid al-nabawi this week, the absence of traditional “zefaf” sugar dolls was conspicuous and upsetting to nostalgic citizens.
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Hijab-wearing lawmaker takes seat in Bosnian Serb parliament
APBegija Smajic was elected to the Bosnian Serb parliament last month, and became the first woman who wears the hijab to serve as a lawmaker in the Serb administrated part of the country since Bosnia’s ethnic war.
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The woman who decides if men can take a second wife
BBCNenney Shushaidah, one of Malaysia’s first female Sharia high court judges, says her role provides her the opportunity to protect women in the Muslim-majority nation.
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The varieties of Muslim faith become a vital form of diplomacy
The EconomistThe importance of soft power is rising in the Islamic world as multiple visions of the faith are competing for prominence in the region and globally.
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Libyan Sufis celebrate Prophet's birthday despite security fears
ReutersHundreds of Libyan Sufis packed the narrow streets of Tripoli’s walled old city to celebrate the Prophet Mohammad’s birthday on Tuesday, chanting hymns to the beat of drums and cymbals.
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Central African Republic MP nicknamed 'Rambo' arrested over alleged war crimes against Muslims
The IndependentA war crimes suspect wanted for the alleged murder, deportation and torture of Muslims in the Central African Republic has been handed over to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, the tribunal said.
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Senior cleric in Afghanistan's top religious body killed
ReutersSenior Afghan police officials have confirmed that Mawlawi Abdul Basir Haqqani, leader of Kabul Ulema Council was shot dead. His body was found near a residential area of the capital, four days after 55 top scholars were killed in a suicide attack.
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Will northern Sinai’s new cultural centers promote moderate Islam?
Al MonitorEgypt’s ministry of religious endowments has opened a number of centers across the country in order to promote “moderate” Islam and fight radicalization. The volatile northern Sinai region, where the army is currently deployed to fight ISIS affiliates, has three.
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Australian PM's 'dangerous ideology' remark irks Muslim leaders
Al JazeeraIn an open letter, the Muslim community says they are being held ‘collectively culpable’ for individual criminal acts.
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I'm A Muslim U.S. Marine, But Am I American Enough? | Opinion
NewsweekPakistani-American Marine Corps veteran and human rights activist Mansoor Shams says that, more than 17 years after he began serving in the Marines, he feels less at home in his adopted country.
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America targets Middle East as it fears Islamic strengthening: Iran leader
ReutersIranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Sunday the United States is targeting the Middle East because it fears Islamic “awakening” in the region, according to his official website.
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Why the 2019 election may be the most crucial in India's history
Al JazeeraThe BJP will try to convince the Hindu majority to vote along sectarian lines in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
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Pakistan arrests cleric whose followers shut down cities over blasphemy
ReutersPakistani authorities on Friday night arrested Khadim Hussain Rizvi, an ultra-right religious party leader whose followers have shut down major cities demanding stricter application of stringent laws on blasphemy against Islam.
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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!