In The News

Advertisers Seek to Speak to Muslim Consumers

Liz Gooch August 20, 2010
Demographics of the global Muslim market are an advertiser’s dream – huge with growing affluence and large proportions of young adults and teens. For decades, advertisers overlooked Muslim audiences, explains Liz Gooch for the New York Times, and many Muslims became accustomed to ignoring ads for products that might violate Islamic religious codes. But companies intent on conquering international...

The Rise of Islamic Rap

Peter Mandaville August 19, 2010
Some South Asian Muslim youth in British cities, seeking art and music that reflect their own alienation, embrace the hip-hop and rap of urban black America. Styles and messages converge, as young Muslim teens blend cultural and political expression with their Islamic faith, explains author Peter Mandaville. Islamic fundamentalists warn against any music at all, let alone provocative hip-hop....

Ground Zero Mosque Debate Echoes Europe's Fears of Muslims

Robert Marquand August 19, 2010
Planning for an Islamic center, two blocks away from vacant lots that were once home to the World Trade Center, has been underway for months. The project steadily moved through an approval process until a handful of pundits and politicians raised public emotions by accusing planners of insensitivity. Changing demographics in Europe and the US ignite discomfort, fear, intolerance and extremist...

As Some Young Muslims Turn to Radicalism, Concern Grows

Souad Mekhennet August 10, 2010
Muslim parents in Germany are increasingly alarmed over online recruitment efforts by extremists with German-language videos. German security officials estimate that, since the 1990s, fewer than 200 young Germans have traveled to the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region to join groups affiliated with Al Qaeda or the Taliban, according to a report by Souad Mekhennet for the New York Times. With...

Veil Ban: Why Syria Joins Europe in Barring the Niqab

Kristen Chick July 27, 2010
Banning styles or behavior can backfire with teens and young adults, particularly when the young are confident about holding the higher moral ground. In an effort to preserve its secular culture, Syria is banning university students and teachers from wearing the niqab, or full-face veil. Syria is home to many religious sects, and officials view secular policies as the best approach for protecting...

'Imam for Peace' Sows Discontent

Ullrich Fichtner April 29, 2010
An immigrant imam in suburban France is drawing notice for his teachings. Hassen Chalghoumi preaches against the wearing of the full-bodied veil by Islamic women and seeks to make Islam accommodating to European countries. While Chalghoumi enjoys support from many non-Muslim French, including President Nicolas Sarkozy, he has attracted increasing criticism from Muslims, who argue that France...

Abuse Crisis Strains Vatican’s Ancient Ways of Management

Rachel Donadio April 13, 2010
The Vatican is confronting a global sexual abuse crisis that is playing out in the worldwide court of public opinion with a management structure that dates to the 16th century. Pope Benedict does not seem to have administrative gifts and neither do his aides. They are running a global church like it's a small community. The departments don't speak with one another and the whole...