religion

By Andrea Germanos, staff writer | ( Commondreams.org)) | – – Judge writes that “the Government’s definition [of ‘close familial relationship’] represents the antithesis of common sense.” A federal judge said Thursday that the Trump administration’s interpretation of what qualifies as “bona fide relationship” defies common sense. (Photo: allison_dc/flickr/cc) A federal judge in Hawaii late […]

censorship

Human Rights Defenders Are Still Behind Bars in Turkey

contributors

By Zara Rahman | ( GlobalVoices.org) | – – Eight of Turkey’s most respected human rights defenders were arrested last week, along with two information technology trainers from Sweden and Germany. All ten of those arrested are still in police custody but have not been charged with any crime. The group had gathered for digital […]

Iraq

Does Sunni Fragmentation after ISIL threaten Iraq’s Future?

contributors

By Mustafa Habib | Baghdad | (Niqash.org) | – – As the date for a Baghdad summit on unity nears, the cracks are showing. It seems the country’s Sunni politicians can’t even get together to discuss their possible unity, in post-Islamic State Iraq. In mid-July, there is to be a conference in Baghdad for Sunni […]

Iraq

Can the Liberation of Mosul begin to free the Mideast from Fundamentalism?

contributors

By Balsam Mustafa | (The Conversation) | – – After an offensive lasting nearly nine months, the Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, walked through the streets of Mosul on July 9 after Iraqi forces backed by US-led coalition airstrikes “liberated” the city from so-called Islamic State (IS). Abadi was there to congratulate security forces for […]

Iraq

Why Mosul Matters

contributors

The Economist | (Video News Report) | – – “Mosul stands on the brink of recapture from Islamic State fighters, but the future of the city is uncertain. With several parties jostling for control of Mosul, fragile alliances could fracture, increasing the likelihood of bloody sectarian conflict.” The Economist: “Why Mosul Matters”

Constitution

Independence: Remembering Capt. Humayun Khan, Muslim Patriot

contributors

Khizr Khan | Associated Press | – – “The father of Humayun Khan, a Muslim American soldier who died during his service, questioned Donald Trump’s patriotism at the Democratic National Convention, asking him whether he had read the United States Constitution. (July 28, 2016)” Khizr Khan’s speech at the DNC: “Tonight we are honoured to […]

Iraq

Freeing Fayza: A Journey to War-Torn Iraq to Rescue a Yazidi ISIL Slave Girl

Juan Cole

By: Brian Glyn Williams and Christopher Natola | (Informed Comment) | – – It began with an electrifying text message from a Yazidi member of a network dedicated to freeing Yazidis (an ancient people from Northern Iraq who adhere to a faith rooted in old Iranian religion and influenced by Sufi mysticism). The message was […]

Islam-hatred

What to do when anti-Muslim Hate Speech now passes the Dinner Table Test?

contributors

By Chris Allen | (The Conversation) | – – On hearing the news that Darren Osborne was arrested for terror offences including attempted murder following an attack on a group of Muslims near the Finsbury Park Mosque, it would have been easy to jump to the conclusion that the act was motivated by far-right ideologies. […]

Islam-hatred

What’s Wrong with the March against Sharia?

contributors

The Bridge Initiative . | – – ACT for America hosted a series of marches “against sharia” in 27 cities across the United States. To many Americans — for whom sharia is synonymous with violence, oppression, and intolerance — these rallies will seem appropriate efforts to promote human rights and civil liberties. In reality, however, […]