Fasting
Peterborough MP to observe Ramadan (LINK ONLY)
Eye on Islamism is no longer printing excerpts from articles published by certain news sources. To read the original article, click here.
Holidays
Holidays
Minneapolis mosque publicly broadcasts historic call to prayer during Ramadan
(KMSP) Thursday night marked the first publicly broadcast call to prayer, or “Adhan,” in Minnesota. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey approved a permit for Dar [Al-Hijrah] mosque in Minneapolis to play the call to prayer publicly five times a day during the month […]
Government & Politics
Call to prayer to be broadcast in Cedar-Riverside during Ramadan in Minneapolis
(KMSP) To allow Minneapolis residents to pray together during Ramadan while maintaining social distance during the coronavirus pandemic, Adhan — the call to prayer — will be played over a loudspeaker in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood five times per day for the duration […]
Christians
‘Divisive’: Rights groups accuse Trump of stoking Islamophobia ahead of Ramadan US president suggests Muslims could get preferential treatment during the Muslim holy month, echoing a theme circulating on right-wing Twitter circles
(Middle East Eye) Muslim rights groups have accused US President Donald Trump of stoking Islamophobia after he said there “could be a difference” in how local authorities and politicians enforce coronavirus lockdown measures during the month of Ramadan. During his daily coronavirus news conference on Saturday, Trump referred […]
Clerics & Preachers
Coronavirus: French imam dismisses viral claims Ramadan will be cancelled A well-known TV presenter in the Moroccan community claimed the month could be pushed back
(National-UAE) A Muslim cleric in France has rejected viral claims Ramadan will be “postponed” in some European countries and urged worshippers to not share reports suggesting so. Rumours have spread across the Moroccan community in Belgium that Ramadan could be “cancelled” or […]
Government & Politics
Coronavirus: Molenbeek adapts measures for Ramadan
(Brussels Times) As … Ramadan, the month in which many Muslims traditionally fast, is approaching, the Brussels municipality of Molenbeek has adapted its usual Ramadan measures to the lockdown ones because of the new coronavirus (Covid-19). “Our municipality has a large Muslim […]
Christians
Social distancing rules should be same for Ramadan, Easter: Trump
(AFP) President Donald Trump said Saturday he hopes US Muslims will be held to the same social distancing standards during Ramadan as Christians at Easter, when a number of faithful chafed against coronavirus-related restrictions on large gatherings. The US president made the […]
Health & Medicine
As Ramadan nears, prisons urged to accommodate faith needs during pandemic
(Religion News) A coalition of 20 faith groups is pressing prison officials across the country to accommodate all prisoners’ religious needs during the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, particularly with Ramadan around the corner. “Prisons remain under an obligation to accommodate religious […]
Christians
Archbishop of Canterbury reflects on London Bridge terror attack in Christmas Day sermon (LINK ONLY)
Eye on Islamism is no longer printing excerpts from articles published by certain news sources. To read the original article, click here.
Children & Teens
Forced marriages and ‘honour crimes’ against women ‘spike during Christmas’ (LINK ONLY)
Eye on Islamism is no longer printing excerpts from articles published by certain news sources. To read the original article, click here.
Government & Politics
Jews on Twitter not impressed with Rashida Tlaib’s Hanukkah greeting Tlaib, whom the Simon [Wiesenthal] Center named one of the top proponents of anti-Semitism in 2019, invokes the 'occupation' in her holiday greeting to a far-left Jewish group.
(Israel Hayom) It seems like the overarching theme of Hanukkah went over Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s head. The congresswoman from Michigan released an early Hanukkah greeting to the far-left Jewish group If Not Now ahead of their holiday party and, in doing so, […]
Academics & Education
Students in Maryland school system to be off on Muslim holiday — and Lunar New Year
(Washington Post) Elected officials in the Washington suburbs adopted an academic calendar for next school year that gives students a day off on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, a move that followed the resolution of a possible conflict with Advanced Placement […]
Holidays
French city opens famed Christmas market year after attack
(AFP) The celebrated Christmas market in France’s eastern city of Strasbourg opened for another festive season on Friday, with shopkeepers and visitors vowing not to be cowed by an attack last year by a radical Islamist gunman that killed five people. The […]
Academics & Education
College Board to expand testing options for AP exam on Muslim holiday
(Washington Post) Responding to concerns about a possible conflict between Advanced Placement exams and a major Muslim holiday next school year, the College Board will expand testing options for the holy day of Eid al-Fitr in 2021. College Board officials said Wednesday […]
Academics & Education
School leaders in Maryland ask for no AP testing on Muslim holy day
(Washington Post) School officials in Maryland are calling on the College Board to avoid scheduling Advanced Placement exams on the expected date of a Muslim holy day next school year, saying students should be able to observe the holiday without worrying about […]
Government & Politics
Mayor Cllr Rakhia Ismail calls out Islington Council over failure to provide any Eid celebrations (LINK ONLY)
Eye on Islamism is no longer printing excerpts from articles published by certain news sources. To read the original article, click here.
Christians
Virginia jail ends ‘God Pod’ after Muslim inmates sue
(AP) A Virginia jail has ended a program which inmates dubbed the “God Pod” after a lawsuit alleged the program provided favorable treatment to Christians and discriminated against Muslims. Court documents show the Riverside Regional Jail south of Richmond ended the program […]
Fasting
Civil liberties group, State of Alaska settle suit over meals for Muslim inmates
(Alaska Public Media) A national Muslim civil liberties group has resolved its federal lawsuit against the State of Alaska for providing what it says were insufficient meals to Muslim inmates fasting as part of their faith. Muslims abstain from food and drink […]
Clothing
Muslim men sue L.A. Sheriff’s Department, alleging religious discrimination in jail
(LA Times) Three Muslim men are suing the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, alleging they were denied access to an observant diet and proper religious garments and texts, while the same accommodations were made for inmates of other faiths. The lawsuit, filed […]
Animals
Italy: Animal cruelty investigation after Muslim migrants slaughter sheep in parking lot
(Breitbart) A pair of Tunisian migrants are under investigation by Italian authorities for animal cruelty after allegedly slaughtering sheep in a parking lot. The pair slaughtered two sheep in the village of Bentivoglio in Bologna as part of the annual Islamic festival […]
Animals
Nine sheep seized from unauthorised abattoirs during Muslim Feast of Sacrifice
(Brussels Times) Brussels police confiscated nine sheep meant to be sacrificed without stunning on unauthorised slaughter floors set up in Brussels for the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice, celebrated at the weekend. Initial inspections carried out on Friday saw police seize two sheep […]
Children & Teens
Sweden man blames Ramadan after assaulting wife and children
(Breitbart) A man living in Sweden was found guilty of physically abusing his wife and children but blamed his actions on being hungry due to Ramadan fasting. The unidentified man, who lives in the south-west Swedish province of Dalsland, was sentenced to […]
Government & Politics
Ilhan Omar sends somber Fourth of July message days after celebrating Somali Independence Day
(Daily Caller) Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar urged Americans to celebrate the Fourth of July by reflecting on “how much further we have to go,” standing in contrast to her joyful celebration of Somali Independence Day four days prior. “Today gives us […]
Discrimination & “Islamophobia”
Complaint: Muslim worker fired over request to move break
(Detroit News) A civil rights group has filed a federal complaint on behalf of a Michigan Muslim woman who alleges she was forced to leave her job for requesting religious accommodations. Shqipe Zeqiri, a former janitor with GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc., worked […]
Clothing
Muslim Council demands apology for Cologne police ‘racial profiling’ Cologne police have denied that brief detentions of Ramadan revelers at the city's rail hub amounted to 'racial profiling.' Germany's Central Council of Muslims says officers need coaching in cultural sensitivity.
(Deutsche Welle) Calls of “Allahu Akbar” [“God is great”] by young Muslims wearing long gowns and vests outside Cologne’s main rail station culminated on Wednesday in counter-accusations between city police and the Central Council of Muslims in Germany (ZMD). Police chief Uwe […]
Government & Politics
Massachusetts pro-Israel groups condemn state Democratic lawmakers for joint CAIR event 'We believe that our commonwealth is stronger when faith communities and elected leaders come together and stand with each other in public civic space.'
(JNS) A number of Massachusetts Jewish and pro-Israel groups are condemning several Democratic state lawmakers for participating in an Eid al-Fitr event at the Massachusetts State House being co-hosted by the Massachusetts branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which has […]
Discrimination & “Islamophobia”
Arlington Heights parade organizers defend letting controversial group march
(Daily Herald) Organizers of the Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade defend allowing an organization deemed by critics to be an anti-Muslim hate group to march, saying that though the group’s positions are extreme, they feared a lawsuit on First Amendment grounds. A […]
Government & Politics
Mayor speaks at Alexandria interfaith Ramadan dinner Islamic Relief USA, a humanitarian nonprofit based in Alexandria, hosted its annual Ramadan dinner.
(Patch) Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) hosted the 3rd Annual City of Alexandria Interfaith Ramadan Dinner at its Wheeler Avenue headquarters on Wednesday, May 29. Mayor Justin Wilson, along with virtually all of the City Council members, were in attendance. They were joined […]
Academics & Education
NSD rescinds Ramadan policy following lawsuit threat NSD is the second school district asked to withdraw its Ramadan policy by FCDF.
(Bothell-Kenmore Reporter) The Northshore School District (NSD) has officially withdrawn its Ramadan policy in response to a “cease and desist” letter filed by the Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund (FCDF). The FCDF is a pro bono legal team that focuses on First […]
Fasting
Ramadan behind bars: How one inmate’s fight to fast highlights oversight concerns
(Global News) The halal breakfast option is some combination of fruit and cereal with a muffin, toast and peanut butter, boiled eggs or French toast, depending on the day. That’s according to the Correctional Service of Canada’s national menu, but Jason Cain […]
Government & Politics
Muslim members of Congress host a historic iftar in the Capitol Trump held a Ramadan dinner at the White House just last week but without any Muslim Americans.
(HuffPost) On Monday evening, three Muslim members of Congress ― Reps. André Carson (D-Ind.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) ― hosted a historic iftar in the U.S. Capitol to recognize the holy month of Ramadan and honor the contributions of […]
Government & Politics
Bradford MP Naz Shah takes the cake as part of Syria campaign (LINK ONLY)
Eye on Islamism is no longer printing excerpts from articles published by certain news sources. To read the original article, click here.
Christians
Durham church criticised for offering to cover crosses and host Muslim prayers
(Premier) A Darlington church is coming under fire after offering to cover up crosses and allow Muslims to say prayers in its building. St Matthew and St Luke’s had initially invited members of the Muslim community for an event next month to […]
Arts & Entertainment
Hollywood Iftar encourages creators to reject ‘stereotypical stories’ about Islam The third annual event was hosted by the Muslims on Screen & Television Resource Center, Unity Productions Foundation and the Writers Guild Foundation.
(Hollywood Reporter) On Wednesday night the Writers Guild Foundation and Muslims on Screen & Television Resource Center (MOST) welcomed influential film and television creators to the 3rd annual Hollywood Iftar. The London Hotel in West Hollywood played host to the event, a […]
Animals
Molenbeek seeks to open temporary slaughterhouse for Muslim holiday
(Brussels Times) A proposal to open a temporary slaughterhouse for Eid al-Adha, one of the most important holidays of the Muslim faith, has been requested to the Brussels region through a letter sent by the Brussels municipality of Molenbeek. The decision to […]
Government & Politics
Muslims decry Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller’s comments about Rep. Ilhan Omar
(Houston Chronicle) After Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller called on Austin Mayor Steve Adler not to attend a Ramadan event headlined by U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, the group hosting this weekend’s dinner fired back. “Hate has no home here,” Sana Shahid of […]
Beards
Muslim EMT’s suit says Detroit supervisor targeted him
(Detroit News) A Muslim civil rights organization filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Detroit and its Fire Department on Thursday on behalf of a Muslim paramedic, claiming he was unfairly targeted by his captain because of his religion. The Michigan […]
Academics & Education
Unapproved flyer about headscarves and un-anaesthetised slaughter embarrasses Ecolo
(Brussels Times) Several members of the Francophone environmentalist party, Ecolo, have distributed unapproved flyers in Laeken with political stances on wearing a headscarf in public administration and at school, and for un-anaesthetised slaughter. “Should the headscarf be allowed in the counter? Yes. […]
Discrimination & “Islamophobia”
Vienna mayor condemns racism, anti-religious sentiment Michael Ludwig says people in Austria should stand together against anti-Muslim agitation
(Anadolu) The mayor of Austria’s capital city of Vienna condemned racism and discrimination in the country Tuesday, calling these types of agitation against Muslims worrying. Michael Ludwig said during an iftar or fast-breaking meal in Vienna that people in Austria should stand […]
Government & Politics
Sid Miller calls on Mayor Adler to skip event with Rep. Ilhan Omar
(Austin American-Statesman) Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller has called on Austin Mayor Steve Adler to cancel his appearance at a dinner this weekend that will include Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn. Omar is scheduled to be the keynote speaker Saturday night at the […]
Discrimination & “Islamophobia”
Trump hosts iftar dinner without US Muslim groups
(VOA) U.S. President Donald Trump called it his “great privilege” to welcome ambassadors and diplomats from Muslim-majority nations to the White House for an iftar dinner Monday marking the end of fasting observed by Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. He […]
Government & Politics
Trump cites Ramadan as time of ‘hope, tolerance and peace’
(AP) President Donald Trump celebrated the month of Ramadan Monday evening as a time when people join forces in “pursuit of hope, tolerance and peace.” Trump held an iftar dinner for ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps representing Muslim-majority nations. The […]
Holidays
Coca-Cola debuts Ramadan special edition in Norway
(Daily Sabah) Coca-Cola Norway on Friday debuted a special edition of its classic fizzy beverage to commemorate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, adding the Islamic crescent moon symbol to its logo for the first time in the Scandinavian country. Coca-Cola has […]
Clerics & Preachers
Foreign imams to be flown in as Ramadan backup
(Brussels Times) Belgium’s Muslim authority has renewed an invitation to foreign imams to observe prayer during the month of Ramadan, due to a lack of sufficient preachers in the country. A temporary months-long Belgian visa will be delivered to 81 Moroccan imams, […]
Academics & Education
Schools under fire for encouraging teachers to give students Ramadan greeting 'By blessing Muslim students in Arabic, teachers unmistakably endorse religion...'
(Washington Times) A religious liberty advocacy group warned a Seattle-area school district Monday that it faces a lawsuit unless it revokes a letter sent to schools urging them to offer children an Arabic greeting for Ramadan, the Muslim holy month that has […]
Holidays
Prisoners in solitary confinement after disrupting two minutes’ silence
(Dutch News) A number of prisoners held in the terrorist wing of the high-security prison in Vught have been placed in solitary confinement after they made an apparently coordinated effort to disrupt the two minutes’ silence on Remembrance Day. They will remain […]
Holidays
Queensland Police’s Facebook post on Ramadan sparks debate
(9 News) A Queensland Police Service Facebook post wishing the public Ramadan Mubarak to mark the start of the Muslim holy month has sparked fierce debate online. “From all of us, to all in our Muslim community observing the start of the […]
Fasting
Doctors must balance risks of Ramadan fasting with significance of observance: study
(CTV) Doctors caring for Muslim patients with mental health disorders should balance concern about the effects of Ramadan fasting on symptoms with an understanding of the spiritual significance of the observance, says a new study released Thursday. There is little research into […]
Academics & Education
New law requires professors in Washington to accommodate religious holidays
(Religion News) A new state law makes it easier for college students to take time off for religious holidays. Gov. Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5166 into law on Monday (April 29), making Washington the first state requiring that institutions of higher […]
Clerics & Preachers
How Muslims and non-Muslims can prep for Ramadan next week Observing Muslims are getting ready to fast from dawn to dusk
(CBC) Ramadan begins one week from today. This means observing Muslims are getting ready to fast from dawn to dusk and abstain from other temptations for one month. It’s an important time for those who follow Islam as they dedicate 30 days […]