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
Muslims, Jews and Christians were among the thousands who attended the public funeral of ISIS-slain Fr Jacques Hamel on Tuesday. The requiem Mass, was led by the city of Rouen’s archbishop, Dominique Lebrun and afterwards Father Hamel was interred with a private burial ceremony. The archbishop told mourners that after his throat was slit, Hamel pushed one Read more
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump has said who Jesus is for him, after being asked the same question put to Peter in Matthew’s Gospel. The question “Who do you say I am?”, in reference to Jesus, was put to Mr Trump by evangelical commentator Cal Thomas in the US. The exchange was published in transcript Read more
Christians have a mission to convert all Muslims, according to one of Pope Francis’s senior aides. Cardinal Kurt Koch, who leads ecumenical relations for the Vatican, made the comments at an interfaith meeting in the United Kingdom, the Catholic Herald reported. Cardinal Koch also said that Christians should not try and convert Jews and should Read more
Muslims are the fastest-growing religious group in the world. The growth and regional migration of Muslims, combined with the ongoing impact of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and other extremist groups that commit acts of violence in the name of Islam, have brought Muslims and the Islamic faith to the forefront of Read more
An Anglican bishop in New Zealand who offended Jews and Muslims last month has lost his episcopal title. Former Bishop John Gray shocked visiting Jews in Christchurch last month when he told them the Holocaust “should have taught you a lesson”. Gray, who was head of the Maori Anglican diocese in the South Island, also Read more
The Islamic State has visibly attracted young Muslims from all over the world to its violent movement to build a caliphate in Iraq and Syria. But here’s what’s less visible — the online backlash against the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL, by young Muslims declaring their opposition to rule by Islamic law, Read more
As the current conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine continue to dominate international headlines, it is worth stepping back and taking a longer view. The forces fighting Israel are essentially the same as those trying to remove Bashar al-Assad in Syria and those seeking to take over Afghanistan on the borders with Russia – radical Sunni Read more
A group of Muslims in Fiji are asking politicians not to use religion to gain support before the nation’s General Election on September 17. Spokesman Mohammed Sareem said the group had formed because a former government minister overseas has been accusing Muslims of being part of the 2006 coup. “We urge politicians to keep religion Read more
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations has sent a message to Muslim communities in New Zealand. Sent to mark the Muslim feast of Eid-al-fitr, which ends the Ramadan period, the message encourages prayers and work for peace. The text of the message reads: “Dear friends, “Eid al-fitr draws near. On behalf of the Read more