Christians complaining about Muslims trying to Islamise Nigeria have themselves to blame, says the Nigerian bishop Dr Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo. In his opinion, not only do Muslims have a right to Islamise Nigeria because a Muslim is in power, Christians gave away the opportunity to Christianise the country. “I’ve always shared the view of one Read more
A Jesuit priest, has gained a doctorate from the State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah in Jakarta. Gregorius Soetomo graduated cum laude on May 24. One of his dissertation supervisors and examiners was prominent Islamic scholar Azyumardi Azra. He became the first Jesuit priest to earn a doctorate in Islamology from the prestigious Islamic university. “I use Read more
Muslims will outnumber Christians by 2070, ending two millenniums of Christian dominance going back to the birth of Jesus Christ, projections released Thursday by the Pew Research Center show. Islam is projected to grow more than twice as fast as any other major religion over the next half century because of a higher fertility rate. Read more
This feels like the worst of times for Muslims in America. While hatred for and visceral fear of Muslims began long before President Trump’s campaign hatched, his odious rhetoric and reckless decisions promise a potentially horrifying climax. Given Trump’s intentions for a “Muslim ban” and the fury his followers harbor for Islam, the backdrop for Read more
Holland’s far right presidential candidate, Geert Wilders, wants to prevent the spread of Islam and Muslim “scum” from the Netherlands. Islam is an ideology that “poses an existential threat to core European values”, he says. Wilders wants to close all mosques, ban the Quran and seal the Dutch borders to asylum seekers and immigrants from Islamic countries. He Read more
Pope Francis and Sunni Muslim imam of Al-Azhar will begin talks again next year. The talks stopped five years ago. It is expected they will begin again in Rome next April. Officials from the Vatican’s office of inter-religious affairs are going to Cairo this weekend for a preparatory meeting. Their aim is to lay the Read more
Islamic terrorism doesn’t exist because religion is not about murder, President Barack Obama says. He is defending his refusal to speak about “Islamic terrorism”. He wants us to “make sure that we do not lump these murderers into the billion Muslims that exist around the world who are peaceful … responsible … fellow troops and police Read more
Fijian-born Ibrar Sheikh hopes the Islam Open day in Aotea Square on the weekend has helped tackle misconceptions about his community and show that “Kiwi-Muslims are just like other New Zealanders.” The Open Day was one of the main activities of the Islam Awareness Week. Sheikh said it was a very unique opportunity for people Read more
Filipino Christians are afraid to go to Mass because of perceived threats from Islamist radicals. “Before, the Philippines was a dream place for inter religious dialogue between Christians and Muslims … but now people are frightened even to go to Mass”, said Fr. Sebastiano D’Ambra, an Italian missionary in Italian missionary living in Mindanao in Read more
The burkini – modest swimwear designed for Muslim women – is causing controversy and outrage, with some wanting it banned and others claiming it’s better than togs that expose too much flesh. The ban on the Islamic burkini swimsuit on some French beaches has triggered disdain in English-speaking countries, where outlawing religion-oriented clothing is seen Read more