by ADEEL MALIK and BASSEM AWADALLAH for PROJECT SYNDICATE on MAY 8, 2013: OXFORD – The wave of revolts that swept across the Arab world two years ago were fueled by demands for freedom, bread, and social justice. But, although the revolutions toppled dictators and transformed societies, these core objectives remain as distant as ever. [...]
by AZEEM IBRAHIM for INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL POLICY AND UNDERSTANDING on MAY 8, 2013: (Summary Excerpt) Leaders in Tunisia and Egypt have acknowledged Turkey as a potential model for their emerging democracies due to its ability to balance Islam and democracy. Rashid Ghannouchi, leader of Tunisia’s Ennahda Party, views Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party [...]
by HIND MAKKI for THE NEW YORK TIMES “ROOM FOR DEBATE” on APRIL 24, 2013: Defending a woman’s right to choose what she does or does not wear on her head is a noble, if misguided, fight. The freedom to choose how you appear in public is part of a constellation of basic human rights that [...]
via PEW FORUM ON RELIGION & PUBLIC LIFE on APRIL 30, 2013: (Executive Summary excerpt) A new Pew Research Center survey of Muslims around the globe finds that most adherents of the world’s second-largest religion are deeply committed to their faith and want its teachings to shape not only their personal lives but also their societies [...]
by JULIE POUCHER HARBIN, EDITOR, ISLAMiCommentary, on APRIL 30, 2013: For more than 10 years the annual Building Bridges Seminar has brought together a range of internationally recognized Christian and Muslim scholars for intensive study. Texts from the Christian and Islamic traditions are used as the basis for discussion in an annual program that includes public [...]
Banu Gökarıksel on ReOrienting the Veil
by BANU GÖKARIKSEL for ISLAMiCommentary on May 6, 2013: The veil is a piece of fabric that is politicized like no other. It is the persistent topic of fiery political debates and possibly the most stigmatized, praised, banned, and enforced article of clothing. And it continues to be one of the most misunderstood, stereotyped, and contested [...]
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