January 30 – February 5

The Myth of the Muslim Country

Boston Review

Elizabeth Shakman Hurd discusses the faulty logic behind the notion of the “Muslim country,” which further reinforces the notion of “good Christian/bad Muslim” driving discussions in the public sphere about the current situation.
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Trump's Travel Ban Is an Attack on Religious Liberty

Bloomberg View

Noted constitutional law expert Noah Feldman argues the #Muslimban runs contrary to first amendment and provides advice to challenge it.
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Diplomats Decry Muslim Ban

The New York Times

More than 100 State Department employees have said they will sign a memo against the Muslim ban.
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How A Bible Belt Christian Found Herself Working For A Muslim Organization

The Huffington Post

Kate Chance, Interfaith Coordinator for Islamic Networks Group, shares how she came to work for a Muslim organization.
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MoMA Protests Trump Entry Ban by Rehanging Work by Artists from Muslim Nations

The New York Times

As a reaction to Trump’s entry ban, the Museum of Modern Art rehung works of art by artists from nations whose citizens are banned from coming to America.
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Statement of North American scholars of Islam and the Muslim world regarding President Trump’s Executive Order on immigration and refugees

Penn State

A group of scholars who study Islam and the Muslim world have produced a statement against the ban targeting Muslim-majority countries. The statement calls the ban “offensive” and “demeaning” while reiterating its likely illegal and discriminating nature.
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Board Statement on U.S. Executive Order Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States

American Academy of Religion

The Board of Directors at the American Academy of Religion (AAR) have stated that the Trump administration’s ban impedes the mission of the AAR, which includes “mutual respect” and “free inquiry” for all who are apart of its organization.
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Trump Pushes Dark View of Islam to Center of U.S. Policy-Making

The New York Times

At the center of the Trump administration lie a group of individuals who harbor discriminatory ideas about Islam and Muslims often reinforced by apocalyptic Christian views and notions of the “West” as a “Judeo-Christian” civilization.
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World’s Muslim population more widespread than you might think

PEW Research Center

Pew Research shows that while many associate the Middle East with Islam and Muslims, the majority of the world’s Muslims (62%) live in the “Asia-Pacific region.”
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Quebec Has a Long History of Anti-Muslim Violence and Political Rhetoric

Vice

Even before last week’s  horrific killing of six men at a Quebec city Mosque, violence directed against Muslims has been an open, dirty secret in the province,” says PAtrick Lejtenyi.
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Pointing to Trump, Groups Reject U.S. Aid to Fight Extremism

The New York Times

Groups in the US who receive monetary support through the Countering Violent Extremism initiative (CVE) have declined funds given by the Department of Homeland Security due to the fact that they see Trump’s ban as “anti-Islamic” and counter-productive.
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Cardinal O’Malley stands in solidarity with Muslims over travel ban

Boston Globe

Some Boston Muslims gathered at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross to meet with Cardinal Sean O’Malley, the Massachusetts Governor, and the Boston Mayor to express support for immigrants and show solidarity with the Muslim community.
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Muslim Cop Files Lawsuit Over Alleged Threats, Harassment from NYPD Colleagues

NBC News

NYPD Officer, Daniel Alamrani was continually harassed and assaulted by her NYPD colleagues for wearing hijab and being Muslim. Her case is now before the courts.
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Why do so many Americans believe that Islam is a political ideology, not a religion?

The Washington Post

Michael Schulson investigates why many believe Islam to be a political ideology in the guise of a religion. The author argues that as pressure rises in the courts concerning Muslims and issues around religious freedom, this discussion will be at the forefront.
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Queer Muslim women from the south: 'We exist and we’re fierce'

The Guardian

As a part of her “Just Me and Allah: A Queer Muslim Photo Project,” Samra Habib talks to three women in Durham, NC about being queer and Muslim in America under the current administration.
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Trump considers executive order to ban Muslim Brotherhood

Middle East Eye

The Trump administration might seek a follow-up order designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a “terrorist organization.” This is in addition to legislation before Congress seeking to do something similar.
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U.S. Muslim school curriculum: English, math and political activism

Reuters

Muslim students and teachers find way to address the current political climate and the rise of Islamophobia in civics courses in this Boston Muslim school.
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Islamophobia in Quebec wasn't created overnight

TRT World

University of Toronto PhD student Sabrien Amrov says “this attack is inherently linked to the broader public debate that has taken place over the last decade in Quebec.” 
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Sudanese Stanford Ph.D. Student Speaks Out After Being Detained at JFK Under Trump Muslim Ban

Democracy Now

 Nisrin Elamin, Stanford University PhD student provides a first hand account of her experience with the Muslim ban at San Francisco Airport on her way back from Sudan.
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Suddenly, Muslims are America’s pariahs

The Guardian

Sudanese writer Nesrine Malik reflects on #Muslimban and its impact.
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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!