December 12 – 18

AP Stylebook revises 'Islamist' use

Politico

Under pressure from Muslim American groups to change its policy, AP this week “moved to disassociate the term ‘Islamist’ from its negative connotations with ‘Islamic fighters, militants, extremists, or radicals, who may or may not be Islamists.’”
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How Islam Can Fight the Patriarchy

The New York Times

A bill in Turkey that would allow “for people who had sexually abused underage girls before Nov. 16 to avoid punishment if the abuser agreed to marry his victim”  was introduced and was met with heavy criticism across all of Turkey. Because of this loud criticism, the bill was withdrawn.
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Tech employees vow not to help Trump surveil Muslims

Religion News Service

More than 200 employees of technology have vowed not to help President-elect Trump and his administration build a database to track people based on religion or ethnicity.
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Trial of Jakarta governor Ahok begins as hundreds of Islamic hardliners protest

The Guardian

Jakarta’s Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, started this week and has been met with protests from Islamic hardliners calling for him to be jailed over his comments on the Quran.
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Donald Trump’s sharp contrast from Obama and Bush on Islam has serious implications

The Washington Post

William McCants, a senior fellows at the Brookings Institute, expresses concern of the policy implications Trump’s relationship with Islam will have on Muslims in America and abroad.
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Study Shows The U.S. Attracts An Elite Muslim And Hindu Population

NPR

According to a PEW research study, the Hindus and Muslims that immigrate to America are among the most educated immigrants across the world. Hindus coming to America have on average 16 years of schooling, while Muslims have on average 14, which are both well above the American average.
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Chinese Muslim website blocked after Xi Jinping letter

Al Jazeera

A website used by many Chinese Muslims to discuss issues has been blocked by the government after one member posted a “petition asking Chinese President Xi Jinping to stop his “brutal suppression” of activists.”
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Why Islam Gets Second-Class Status in Germany

The New York Times

Alexander Görlach discusses the difficulties faced by Muslims in achieving the benefits of recognition vis-a-vis the German state.
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Was Muslims Like Us a helpful portrayal of Islam in the UK?

The Guardian

Various respondents address the British reality show, Muslims Like Us, in order to discuss its victories and failures as a provocation to discussion in light of rising Islamophobic sensibilities.
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The Merkel Burqa Ban: Criminalizing Islam in Germany

Paste Magazine

Angela Merkel’s ban effectively criminalizes the wearing of particular head coverings as an open expressions of piety by Muslim women in Germany.
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Revival: The Muslim Response to the Crusades

Al Jazeera

Aljazeera launches a 4-Part series on the Crusades as it was viewed by Muslims at the time through focusing on particular cities, individuals, and key events.
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Two dangerous lies poised to define Trump presidency

Centre Daily Times

Jonathan Brockopp, professor of history and religion at Penn State, connects two lies – (1) Islam is not a religion, and (2) Climate change is a hoax – as a defining element of Trump’s presidency.
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Egypt's Christians in the cross-hairs

Al Jazeera

Egypt’s Coptic Christians have taken to the streets claiming that the Egyptian Government is not adequately protecting its Christian population from violence, like the recent bombing of St. Peter’s Church in Cairo.
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A Journey towards Humanist Secularism

Reset DOC

Mohammad Hashas remembers the life of Syrian intellectual Sadiq al-Azm through a review of his work in philosophy, theology, and social thought.
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Why Trump’s Republican Party Is Embracing Russia

The Atlantic

Conservatives are divided over how to respond to Trump’s relationship to Putin and Russia; Peter Beinart shows that conservative ideological positions concerning Islam and Muslims are central to defining these positions.
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Ashis Nandy: Why Nationalism and Secularism Failed Together

Reset DOC

In an interview, Ashis Nandy discusses the history of partition in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and critiques nationalism and secularism in light of today’s current events.
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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!