New Zealand’s population is only 1 per cent Muslim, but according to one analysis, it is the country that most closely follows Qur’anic principles. The Islamicity Indices, compiled by the Islamicity Foundation, a US-based nonprofit, measure world governments by how well they adhere to the Islamic principles set forth in the Qur’an. The indices measure Read more
Three young Lebanese Muslims tried in a Tripoli court on contempt of religion charges for insulting a statue of Our Lady have been found guilty. Judge Jocelyn Matta ordered them to memorise verses from the holy Qur’an’s Surat Al-Omran. This chapter glorifies Our Lady and Jesus. One of the verses featured hails the Virgin Mary Read more
In the aftermath of Islamic jihadis — the Boko Haram — enslaving Christian school girls in Nigeria, the Muslim intelligentsia, instead of doing some serious introspection, has chosen to exercise damage control. Columns by my co-religionists have appeared in newspapers ranging from the Toronto Star to The Independent in London and on CNN.com, where they Read more
News that Prince Charles is learning Arabic so he can read the Qur’an in its original language has prompted speculation about the heir to the throne’s fascination with Islam. The Prince is on record as saying that “Islam can teach us today a way of understanding and living in the world which Christianity itself is Read more
An 11-year-old Christian girl with Down’s syndrome has been accused of desecrating the Qur’an under the severe blasphemy law in Pakistan. Rimsha Masih is the first minor to be charged with blasphemy in Pakistan. The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Witnesses claim she burnt 10 pages of a booklet used to Read more
Last week there was shock and outrage around the globe at the massacre of scores of women and children in Syria by forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. Part of the tension causing the present conflict is the fact that Assad and his supporters belong to the minority Shia Alawite sect, about 10 per cent Read more
The United States government should detain Terry Jones, the Pastor who oversaw Wayne Sapp burning the Qur’an in Florida, says the leader of the Catholic Church in Pakistan. “The US Government talks about religious freedom – but we call upon the US government to prevent such actions by extremists and other fundamentalist Christians.” Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha Read more