Islam in Media Roundup | 8 June – 14 June 2020

United States

New Name, Same Game: American Muslims Vow to Fight New 'Counter-Terror' Initiative

The Middle East Eye

Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention programme is just an extension of CVE, advocacy groups say.
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'Why Minneapolis?': How Deep Surveillance of Black Muslims Paved the Way for George Floyd’s Murder

The Progressive

The city has a long history of spying on its Black residents.
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Fourth Circuit Throws Out One of the Last Challenges to Trump’s Travel Ban

Law

The ruling reverses a district judge’s order that the challenge on whether the travel ban is unconstitutional could proceed to discovery.
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Meet Nabilah Islam, the Bangladeshi American Trying to Make Georgia Progressive

Middle East Eye

Endorsed by Ilhan Omar and AOC, Islam says she’s not just trying to flip her district from red to blue, but from red to progressive.
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Charleston Mosque Reopens After Several Months Because of Coronavirus

WCHS ABC 8

After months of staying closed, the Islamic Association of West Virginia reopened its mosque for prayer and worship, putting in place several guidelines to keep members safe and healthy.
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Black Muslim Activist Calls on Community to Do More Against Racism

Middle East Eye

A video of Alhassan Omar speaking at a Black Lives Matter protest last week has gone viral. In it, he calls on the Muslim community to do more in the fight against racism.
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How Floyd Case Could Finally Unite Blacks and Muslims

The Daily Beast

One-third of U.S. Muslims are black, but the two communities have not always had each others’ backs. After George Floyd, that’s changing.
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In the Aftermath of George Floyd Killing, an Uneasy Discussion About Racism in Minnesota’s Muslim Community

Sahan Journal

Some “think of themselves as superior because of their skin color and class.”
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Gareth Bryant On Being A Black Muslim Man In America

Bklyner

Gareth Bryant has been on Earth for 38 years thus far. In these 38 years, he has experienced a lot. He’s dealt with racism and xenophobia. He lost himself and then found himself. He discovered faith. And he never let anything stop him.
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‘Impossible Documents’ — How An Enslaved Muslim Scholar Illuminates Southern Identity

WUNC 91.5

An educated scholar from an aristocratic family, Said was enslaved and brought to the port of Charleston in 1807 from his homelands in the Futa Toro region of modern-day Senegal. His autobiography is written in Arabic with a Southern accent and includes references to West African locations and Sufi literature.
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Lansing Man Charged With Conspiring to Support Islamic State Arguing Government Entrapped Him

Lansing State Journal

One of the three Lansing men accused of planning to join the Islamic State group is arguing federal investigators entrapped him. Mohamed Salat Haji’s attorney is arguing a federal judge should dismiss the charges against him, using entrapment and government conduct as a defense.
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A Domestic Terror Law Could Quash Political Dissent in the US

Al Jazeera

Passing a law allowing the designation of domestic groups as terrorist would allow the government to silence opposition.
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Top Pentagon Policy Nominee Has a History of Islamophobic and Offensive Comments

CNN

The White House’s nominee for a top position at the Pentagon has a history of making Islamophobic and inflammatory remarks against prominent Democratic politicians, including falsely calling former President Barack Obama a Muslim.
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Canada

Protesters Gather to Oppose Religious Symbols Ban, One Year After Bill 21 Became Law Social Sharing

CBC CA

Law bans wearing of religious symbols such as a hijab or kippah by public servants in positions of authority.
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Council of Canadian Muslims Calls for Resignations at School Board Over Racism Concerns in Mississauga Schools

Insauga

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is demanding that the Chair and Director of Education at Peel District School Board (PDSB) resign amid concerns that the board isn’t doing enough to address systemic racism and anti-black racism.
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Burkina Faso

Desperation Grows as Fighters Blockade Key Burkina Faso Town

Al Jazeera

Volunteers launch drive to bring food and medicine to Djibo as armed groups set up roadblocks to cut ties with the capital.
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South Africa

South Africa Will Not Recognize Muslim Marriages

Voice of America

Muslims across South Africa are pushing back against a decision last week by the home affairs minister, who said his department cannot legally recognize Muslim marriages. The controversy erupted after the minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, said death certificates cannot indicate that someone was married unless the marriage is considered valid under South African law.
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Wrapped in Plastic Muslim Funeral Rites Restricted in Virus Hit South Africa

Standard Media

Like Muslims across the world, South African Esa Alexander could not pray by his father-in-law’s hospital bed or customarily wash and shroud the body after he succumbed to COVID-19 last week.
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United Kingdom

UK Counter-Terror Programme Targeted Bame Women Using Instagram Influencers

Middle East Eye

‘Stoosh’ campaign aimed at young Asian and Black women was created by a media company contracted by the Home Office.
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Anti-Racism Campaigners Demand Further Investigation Into the Death of Somali Schoolgirl Shukri Abdi

Middle East Eye

As Black Lives Matter protests take place across the UK, campaigners are demanding more answers surrounding the death of Abdi, who drowned in a Bury river last year.
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Coronavirus: Mosques Told Not to Reopen Despite Government Plan

BBC

A senior Imam has advised mosques not to open until they can hold congregational prayers, despite government plans for places of worship. The government is expected to announce that churches, mosques and synagogues in England can open their doors for private prayer from 15 June.
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Politicians Love Face Coverings, as Long as the People Wearing Them Aren't Muslim Women

Indy 100

At first, they referred to this dreadful disease as a great equaliser. But over the past month or so, we have seen how coronavirus, and the economic impact of protecting ourselves from it, has shone a harsher light on the existing inequalities in our society.
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London's Muslim Mayor Seeks Removal of Slavery-Linked Statues Amid BLM Protests

Al Araby

London’s Muslim mayor Sadiq Khan proposed the removal of statues and street names in the English capital linked to slavery, as anti-racism protests targeted a slave owner’s statue.
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Germany

Man Arrested for Threatening Christchurch-Like Attack on Muslims in Germany

TRT World

A 21-year-old man has been detained in Lower Saxony on suspicions of planning attacks on Muslim communities inspired by mosque attacks in New Zealand in which 51 Muslims were killed.
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The Concept of Race Is Taboo

Der Spiegel

Following the killing of George Floyd in the U.S., a debate on racism has erupted in Germany too. The Berlin-based researcher Yasemin Shooman explains how structural racism works in the country.
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France

France Is Still in Denial About Racism and Police Brutality

Al Jazeera

The fight to break the French state’s wall of denial and indifference about radicalised police brutality continues.
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Italy

Italy's Muslims Cope With Burial Space Shortage in Pandemic

Al Jazeera

Imams and Muslim community leaders call for more Islamic cemeteries, or additional space in Italy’s existing graveyards.
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Portugal

The Portuguese Rediscovering Their Country's Muslim Past

Al Jazeera

Historians and archaeologists are showing just how integral Islam is to the country’s identity.
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Turkey

'Hagia Sophia Mosque Issue About Turkish Sovereignty'

Anadolu News Agency

Hagia Sophia should be reopened for worship in line with the will of Mehmet the Conqueror, says Turkish opposition leader.
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Experts to Discuss Islamic Economics via Online Conference Hosted by Turkish University

Daily Sabah

The most prestigious of its kind, the 12th International Conference on Islamic Economics & Finance will host renowned academicians and experts from around the world online between June 14-20, with an opening speech by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
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Armenia

How Armenia’s Historical Connections with Islam can Shape its Diplomacy Today

Modern Diplomacy

The Blue Mosque is situated in the old city, flanked by a towering minaret and adorned with a large blue dome that sits above its central prayer hall. However, this Blue Mosque isn’t in Turkey.
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Yemen

Yemen's Hidden Migrants Risk Conflict and Coronavirus in Fight for Survival

The Guardian

Refugees face violence and disease as they travel across the Red Sea hoping to find work in the Gulf states.
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Coronavirus Death Rates in Yemen's Aden Could Exceed Its Wartime Fatalities

CNN

Local medical authorities say that death rates in Aden are soaring this year, despite a relative lull in a war that ravaged the place in previous years.
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Saudi Arabia

COVID-19: Saudi Arabia Closes 71 Mosques Over Increasing Number of Infections

Gulf News

Non-commitment to coronavirus preventive protocols in mosques leads to rise.
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Saudi Arabia Considers Limiting Haj Numbers Amid COVID-19 Fears

Gulf News

Authorities are now considering allowing “only symbolic numbers” this year.
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Egypt

Egypt Islamic Body Causes Uproar by Declaring Ottomans' Istanbul Seizure 'Occupation'

Middle East Eye

Positions taken by the Egyptian Dar al-Ifta are seen as an extension of the government’s policies.
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Egypt's Islamic Body Reverses Ottomans 'Occupied' Istanbul Remark

Al Jazeera

Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta caused a social media uproar when it referred to Islamic conquest of Constantinople as ‘occupation’.
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Israel/Palestine

Palestinian-Israelis Protest as Muslim Cemetery in Jaffa Bulldozed to Make Way for Housing Project

Al Araby

Dozens of Palestinian residents of the city of Jaffa, south of Tel Aviv, protested on Tuesday evening against the destruction of a historic Muslim cemetery by Israeli authorities.
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Afghanistan

Afghan Car Blaze Deaths Prompt Fury Over Mistreatment of Refugees in Iran

The Guardian

Protest comes amid investigation into death by drowning of dozens of Afghans who crossed Iranian border illegally.
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Iran

Ancient Glazed Tiles Discovered Beneath Congregational Mosque

Tehran Times

These tiled frames consist of square tiles with dimensions of 19 cm by 19 cm, which are engraved on the white background with hand-made methods, Islamic motifs and themes of flowers and plants with turquoise glaze, and they bear a turquoise ribbon on the side covering the tile frame.
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Fake Hafez: How a Supreme Persian Poet of Love Was Erased

Al Jazeera

That so many of the poems attributed to Hafez are fake reveals a Western appropriation of Muslim spirituality.
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India

BJP Generates Stories for Anti-Muslim Sentiments

Global Villagespace

Far-right Hindu nationalists such are setting a bad example by telling stories that demonize Muslims. Hindu extremists are being goaded by BJP to generate anti-Muslim sentiments.
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How Lives Were Destroyed Under Cover of Lockdown in a Small Indian Town

The Guardian

In Telinipara, West Bengal, Hindu attackers burned Muslim homes and shops and vandalised a mosque and a Muslim shrine.
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Malaysia

Malaysia Detains Nearly 270 Rohingya Seeking Entry by Boat

Reuters

Before the boat was intercepted, 53 migrants had jumped into the sea in an attempt to evade arrest, the statement said, but were detained by the Malaysian coast guard once they reached shore.
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New Zealand

New Zealand Says Armed Police Patrols Initiated After Mosque Shootings Will End

The Hill

New Zealand is dropping a trial of armed police patrols proposed after last year’s mosque shootings in Christchurch, police commissioner Andrew Coster announced Tuesday.
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International

Beyond Xinjiang's Camps, China Threatens Uighurs Globally

The Hill

The Karakax list contains personal data on more than 300 individuals with relatives abroad.
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52 Ideas That Changed the World - 51. Islam

The Week

Followers of the religion make up a quarter of the global population.
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2,500 Rare Texts From Islamic World to Go Online for Free

The Guardian

The National Library of Israel is digitising their collection of manuscripts and books dating back to the ninth century.
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If Black Americans Were to Seek Asylum, They Would Easily Qualify

Al Jazeera

I have evaluated countless refugee cases. The oppression Black Americans face in the US would qualify as persecution.
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Her Hopes for America Ended in Death, and It Took Black Lives Matter to Get Her Buried

Dallas News

At her final stop, three cemetery workers, unaware of whom they were burying, dug a new grave in a small plot that would be reserved for Muslims only. Nabunjo was the first known Muslim to be buried.
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Anti-Blackness Corrodes South Asian Communities

TRT World

Prejudice towards black people persists both in South Asian countries and their diasporas abroad. It stems from both colonialism and caste-based hierarchies.
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African Nations Call for Racism Debate at UN Human Rights Council

Al Jazeera

In a letter written on behalf of 54 African countries, Burkina Faso’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva asked the UN’s top rights body for an “urgent debate” on “racially inspired human rights violations, police brutality against people of African descent and the violence against the peaceful protests that call for these injustices to stop”.
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Top 10 Books On Black Muslim History

Muslim Matters

The history of Black Muslims seems to be trapped between Bilal and Malcolm X (raḍyAllāhu ‘anhum). While these are particularly bright supernovas in the pantheon of giants from Muslim history, they are far from being the only stars in that history.
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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!