Government & Politics

Dem leaders defend freshmen Tlaib, Omar

(Hill) House Democratic leaders on Tuesday defended progressive freshman Reps. Rashida Tlaib (Mich.) and Ilhan Omar (Minn.) against GOP accusations of anti-Semitism for their views toward Israel. The two freshmen have drawn ire from Republicans for their support of the boycott, divestment […]

Academics & Education

Brooklyn Historical Society hosts panel on Muslim leadership in city schools Dr. Debbie Almontaser’s new study forms basis for BHS winter series

(Brooklyn Eagle) “We want to be provocative — but in the best possible way,” said Brooklyn Historical Society President Deborah Schwartz as she introduced the latest entry in the organization’s winter events: a roundtable discussion featuring Dr. Debbie Almontaser, founding principal of […]

Legal

Texan captured in Syria brought back to U.S., charged with trying to aid ISIS Warren Christopher Clark was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces earlier this month and transferred to U.S. custody this week.

(NBC) Warren Christopher Clark, a Texas man recently captured with ISIS fighters in Syria, has been brought back to the U.S. by law enforcement and faces charges of aiding ISIS. Clark was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a largely Kurdish militia, […]

Government & Politics

Omar, Tlaib come under fire from GOP

(Hill) Freshman Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar (Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), the first two Muslim women elected to Congress, are drawing fire from Republicans in their first weeks since taking office. House GOP leaders condemned the appointment of Omar, a Minnesota progressive, […]

Government & Politics

Pro-Israel groups take issue with appointment of Omar to House Foreign Affairs Committee While several pro-Israel groups criticized the appointment of Rep. Ilhan Omar, who has endorsed BDS, as a 'dangerous development,' others expressed confidence in the pro-Israel leadership of the committee to counter her. J Street contends the attacks on her are 'bigoted and deeply wrong.'

(JNS) It didn’t take long for Jewish and Israel-related groups to react to the appointment of anti-Israel Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Along with several other new members of Congress, Omar has gained considerable attention as part of […]

Demonstrations

Women’s March releases agenda that blasts pro-Israel legislation Progressive group calls anti-Boycott, Divestment Sanctions bills threat to free speech

(Washington Times) The Women’s March kicked off Saturday in Washington, D.C., shortly after leaders released a sweeping policy document that includes opposition to legislation targeting the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. The 71-page Women’s Agenda took a stand against anti-BDS bills, […]

Government & Politics

Freshman lawmaker calls Israel a ‘regime,’ secures coveted committee seat She spoke to CNN and defended a tweet she posted in 2012 that claimed that 'Israel has hypnotized the world.'

(Jerusalem Post) Ilhan Omar, a newly elected Democratic congresswoman from Minnesota, secured a seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday, bringing to that high-level forum experience as a Somali refugee, perspective as one of the first two Muslim women elected […]

Government & Politics

Rashida Tlaib blasts ‘right wing media’ after coverage of get-together with pro-Hezbollah activist Tlaib: 'I am Muslim and Palestinian. Get over it.'

(Washington Times) Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Michigan Democrat, accused “right wing media” Tuesday of picking on her for being Muslim after she was slammed for hosting a pro-Hezbollah activist at her congressional swearing-in ceremony in Detroit. “Right wing media targeting me again rather […]

News: North America

American ISIS member Warren Clark says he wanted to see ‘what the group was about’ 'I’m from the United States, from Texas. They like to execute people, too. So I really don’t see any difference,' he said in an exclusive interview.

(NBC) A Texan who says he offered to work as an English teacher for the Islamic State and was captured earlier this month in Syria by U.S.-backed forces said he witnessed executions and crucifixions during the more than three years he spent […]

Children & Teens

These two women want to bring accountability to local mosques Abuse in the Muslim community is rarely discussed. But Alia Salem and Huma Yasin want to change that — starting with resources for victims.

(D Magazine) In August of 2017, Alia Salem and Huma Yasin decided to launch something for Muslim parishioners to go for help. They’d seen enough. An imam in Irving had been accused of “sexually grooming” an 18-year-old congregant, beginning when she was […]

Demonstrations

Southern Poverty Law Center quietly joins the roster of big groups walking away from the Women’s March The SPLC calls the Nation of Islam a hate group. The leaders of the Women’s March kept praising its leader.

(Daily Beast) The Southern Poverty Law Center will not partner with the Women’s March this year, the Daily Beast has confirmed. Jen Fuson, a spokeswoman for the SPLC, said “other projects were a priority,” but added they would continue to be involved […]

Government & Politics

‘People who look like me’: US Muslims celebrate Tlaib and Omar victories Supporters of the first Muslim congresswomen in US history say they see themselves reflected in Congress for the first time in their lives

(Middle East Eye) Ilhan Omar had four hours to decide whether to run for Congress. Last June, Keith Ellison, then a representative for Minnesota and the first Muslim elected to Congress, made a late-hour entry into the state’s attorney general race, leaving […]

Clothing

‘You look scary’: Muslim family describes discrimination at Virginia hospital A prominent Muslim family went to a hospital after the birth of a newborn baby. They say the staff humiliated them

(WRC) A Muslim family went to a hospital in Northern Virginia to celebrate a joyous occasion: the birth of a newborn baby. But they say hospital staff humiliated them by telling them they looked “scary,” and threatened to kick them out. Visiting […]