In The News

Manhattan Project: The Great Mosque Divide

Sadanand Dhume August 24, 2010
A proposal to build an Islamic center two blocks away from the target of the 9/11 attacks steadily moved through New York City’s planning process, meeting regulations and winning approval each step of the way. The World Trade Center attacks united the United States for a short while, whereas almost nine years later, the center and plan to “build bridges” raise another in a long line of issues...

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...

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....

China Discovers World Expo Is No Olympics

Maura Elizabeth Cunningham, Jeffrey N. Wasserstrom August 17, 2010
After the dazzling 2008 Olympics, China had hoped to draw attention once again with the World Expo, exceeding previous World’s Fair records with visiting nations, exhibitions and attendance. But even before the Expo, Shanghai and many other cities around the globe already carry significant international cachet, displaying futuristic trends, or what Maura Elizabeth Cunningham and Jeffrey N....

Videos Rouse Russian Anger Toward Police

Clifford J. Levy August 4, 2010
Corruption is common, inescapable and an unpleasant fact of life in many countries. In 2009, a Novorossiysk police officer posted a video on YouTube challenging Vladimir Putin to take action and questioning where Russian society is headed. “International research organizations rank Russia as having the world’s most corrupt large economy, in part because of bribery linked to law enforcement...

YouTube Banned by Russian Court

Tom Parfitt August 3, 2010
Hundreds of thousands of official and amateur videos from around the globe from cooking to music, fitness, pets, business, and politics are uploaded to YouTube daily. Users, like Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, even create their own YouTube channels. Purportedly targeting a single nationalist video, a Russian regional court took the extreme step of blocking the popular website among local...

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...