Afia R Fitriati sums up the five pillars that make up the foundation of being a Muslim. Every activity of a Muslim can – and should – be an act of worship to God. There are five obligatory duties, also known as the five pillars of Islam, that are required of every Muslim as a framework … Read more
Farina So’s gripping monograph of the memories of Cham Muslim women after the Khmer Rouge opens Sya Taha’s eyes to their experiences. Stories of gender-based violence, especially in times of conflict, is nothing new. But what pulled me towards this book was the geopolitical situation and demographics of conflict: the Khmer Rouge regime (also known as Democratic … Read more
Alayna Ahmad explores the roots of the term, how it has changed over the centuries, and why understanding its deeper meaning is vital in today’s world. The world consists of 1.6 billion Muslims, a number that grows daily. Most people will acknowledge that the word ‘Muslim’, which occurs in the Qur’an 90 times*, means one who … Read more
ANKARA, September 30, 2013. By Fulya Ozerkan (AFP) – Turkey on Monday announced it would lift a ban on women wearing headscarves in most public offices, following other measures critics say are aimed at Islamising the staunchly secular country. In a major speech to introduce political reforms, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that, with a few … Read more
GENEVA, April 15, 2014 (AFP) – The United Nation’s refugee agency said yesterday it was partially lifting a call to stop returning asylum seekers to Bulgaria because conditions there had improved. Under current rules, European countries must return asylum seekers to the first country on the continent they arrive in. But in January, the UN urged … Read more