Government & Politics

Rashad Hussain faces Senate committee on historic nomination The former Obama administration official’s confirmation would make him the first Muslim to hold the position.

(Religion News) A Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Tuesday (Oct. 26) considered the nomination of Rashad Hussain to be President Joe Biden’s ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. Hussain’s confirmation would make him the first Muslim to hold the position. Hussain held […]

Government & Politics

New poll reveals how much we presume about Muslim Americans’ politics Two decades after 9/11, Americans are still getting to know their Muslim neighbors. New data may help.

(Religion News) Twenty years ago, Americans hardly gave their Muslim neighbors a thought. Then came 9/11, and our opinions suddenly blossomed. Two decades later we may be past assuming that Muslims want to topple the American government, but other supposed givens — […]

Government & Politics

‘Politics is power’: American Muslim groups ramp up voting drives ahead of upcoming general elections American Muslims are becoming an important voting bloc, but engagement needs to be an ongoing habit, not just for general elections, say advocates.

(New Arab) America’s general election was less than a year ago, but with local, state and midterm elections fast approaching, and with early voting already well underway, Muslim groups are wasting no time in getting their community out to vote. “We’re often […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

Trump is gone, but Muslim federal workers say reforms are still needed Muslim Americans in Public Service has published a set of 12 recommendations to improve working conditions for Muslims in public service.

(Religion News) Muslim federal employees who say they felt discriminated against under President Trump are advocating for new federal policies to prevent workplace bias, with many backing a new initiative from Muslim Americans in Public Service aimed at getting the Biden administration to […]

Crime

Anti-Muslim hate crimes fell during Trump’s last year in office, FBI data shows Lawmakers and rights groups have criticised the findings as fewer local law enforcement agencies participated in data collection

(Middle East Eye) The number of reported hate crimes targeting Muslims in the US fell by more than a third in 2020, according to newly published data by the FBI. According to the federal agency, the number of reported hate crimes against Muslims in […]

Government & Politics

Rep Ilhan Omar posts photo of 9/11 attacks after deadliest day in a decade for US military In the now-deleted tweet, the progressive 'Squad' member Omar shared a New York Post cover that called her out for her comments on 9/11.

(Post Millennial) Late Thursday night, following a day which saw the deaths of 13 US service members in a terrorist attack in Kabul, the deadliest day in a decade for US military in Afghanistan, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) posted a photo of […]

Legal

Second Circuit orders tougher sentence for Islamic State supporter A three-judge panel agreed with federal prosecutors that Sinmyah Amera Ceasar’s two-year sentence for supporting the Islamic State terrorist group was too lenient.

(Courthouse News) A federal appeals court vacated the sentence of an Islamic State supporter on Wednesday after federal prosecutors argued she got off too easy. Sinmyah Amera Ceasar, a U.S. citizen also known by her online nom de guerre Umm Nutella — […]

Government & Politics

Trump barred from Twitter, but Taliban spokesman tweets away The Taliban swept into Afghanistan’s capital Sunday after the government collapsed

(Fox) Twitter’s standards were called into question on Sunday after users pointed out that a key Taliban spokesman has been using the platform to give updates about the group’s advance within the country while former President Trump’s account remains permanently suspended. Zabihullah […]

Government & Politics

Belarus migrant arrivals could reach 10,000 in weeks, warns Lithuanian minister Gabrielius Landsbergis urges EU to ‘step up’ pressure on Belarus as well as countries of migration origin like Iraq.

(Politico) The number of migrants crossing into Lithuania from Belarus could top 10,000 by the end of the summer, Lithuania’s foreign minister warned as he urged the EU to “step up” actions to stop the arrivals. Gabrielius Landsbergis told POLITICO’s Brussels Playbook […]

Internet

Jihadists flood pro-Trump social network with propaganda GETTR, the new platform started by members of the former president’s inner circle, is awash with beheading videos and extremist content.

(Politico) Just weeks after its launch, the pro-Trump social network GETTR is inundated with terrorist propaganda spread by supporters of Islamic State, according to a POLITICO review of online activity on the fledgling platform. The social network — started a month ago […]

Discrimination & “Islamophobia”

White House announces new religious affairs leaders, first Muslim religious freedom ambassador Biden will nominate Rashad Hussain, who served in other roles under the Obama administration, as his U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

(Religion News) The White House announced Friday (July 30) a slate of nominations and appointments for top religious affairs roles, including the first Muslim American nominated to be the U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. President Biden will select Rashad Hussain as […]

Clothing

As Muslim Advocates founder resigns, former staffers allege hostile workplace A group of former Muslim Advocates workers has come forward with allegations of workplace harassment and abuse by the civil rights organization's former management.

(Religion News) On the day in June when Muslim Advocates announced it had been selected for a high-profile donation from MacKenzie Scott, the philanthropist and former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the nonprofit touted “the tremendous work and accomplishments of our […]

Government & Politics

Biden expected to visit NYC’s 9/11 memorial site for 20th anniversary of attacks The president will mark two decades since that grim day and the full drawdown of troops in Afghanistan.

(Politico) President Joe Biden is expected to attend the 9/11 memorial in New York City to mark the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, four sources with knowledge of his plans told POLITICO. The White House recently indicated to officials in New […]

Government & Politics

Terry McAuliffe touts endorsement from anti-Israel group Endorsement from pro-BDS activist group raises questions about VA Dem's approach to Israel

(Free Beacon) Virginia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Terry McAuliffe welcomed an endorsement from an activist group that staunchly defends the anti-Israel boycott movement, calling into question his past opposition to the campaign. In a June tweet, McAuliffe said he was “tremendously grateful” to […]