Today's religion and world affairs news from the United States and around the globe: United Arab Emirates takes a stand against religious and racial discrimination, decade-old divisions linger in Northern Ireland, and Texas residents oppose plans for a new cemetery.
AROUND THE WORLD
Ignatius and Islam: Uncovering Interfaith Intersections
by Jordan Denari
National Catholic Register
http://ncronline.org/news/spirituality/ignatius-and-islam-uncovering-interfaith-intersections
For the last month, Muslims have been celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, almsgiving, and praying over God’s revelation. For those at Jesuit institutions--schools, parishes, and organizations inhabiting the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola--this July is a celebration of the spirituality of the Jesuit founder, whose feast day is July 31.
UAE, Concerned About Militant Islam, Passes Law Against Race, Faith Hate
New York Times/Reuters
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/07/20/world/middleeast/20reuters-emirates-law.html
In a royal decree pronounced on Monday, United Arab Emirates has outlawed religious and racial discrimination. Though prohibiting insults against all religions, the law is aimed in part at countering Islamist militancy--particularly the practice known as takfir, whereby hardline Muslims label followers of other schools of Islam as unbelievers.
UK's Cameron Offers Plan to Counter Attraction of Extremism
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/07/20/world/europe/ap-eu-britain-extremism.html
In an effort to counter the ideology that has attracted a number of young people to the Islamic State and make Britain a more cohesive nation, Prime Minister David Cameron is launching a five-year plan to defeat Islamic extremism.
In Northern Ireland, 'Terror Gets Old,' But Divisions Linger
by NPR Staff
NPR Religion
http://www.npr.org/2015/07/18/424120157/in-northern-ireland-terror-gets-old-but-divisions-linger
The long and bloody conflict between Catholic Irish nationalists and pro-British Protestants in Northern Ireland formally came to an end with a peace agreement in 1998. Despite the nearly two decades that have passed since, divisions and mistrust still linger in the region today.
Francis: Mining Industry In Need of 'A Radical Paradigm Change'
by Brian Roewe
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/eco-catholic/francis-mining-industry-need-radical-paradigm-change
In keeping with the theme of his encyclical, Pope Francis called for radical changes from the global mining community on Friday, advocating for improvements in the industry's impact on the planet and the poor.
China: The Best and the Worst Place to Be a Muslim Woman
by Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian
Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/07/17/china-feminism-islam-muslim-women-xinjiang-uighurs/
In the officially atheist state, Muslim women either enjoy unprecedented space for religious expression or face more restrictions on their faith than they would almost anywhere else in the world--all depending on who, and where, they are.
DOMESTIC
Chattanooga Stirs U.S. Muslims' Concerns About Radicalization
New York Times/Reuters
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/07/19/us/19reuters-usa-islam-radicalization.html
In the aftermath of a shooting rampage that killed five servicemen in Tennessee, Muslim leaders throughout the nation are imploring worshippers to combat extremist ideology, focusing especially on the dangers facing young people.
Texas Residents Condemn Plan for Muslim Cemetery
by David Warren
Washington Post/AP
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/texas-residents-condemn-plan-for-muslim-cemetery/201...
A proposal to bring a Muslim cemetery to a small Texas town has stoked fears among its residents, who are vehemently trying to convince community leaders to block the project.
Ignatius and Islam: Uncovering Interfaith Intersections
by Jordan Denari
National Catholic Register
http://ncronline.org/news/spirituality/ignatius-and-islam-uncovering-interfaith-intersections
For the last month, Muslims have been celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, almsgiving, and praying over God’s revelation. For those at Jesuit institutions--schools, parishes, and organizations inhabiting the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola--this July is a celebration of the spirituality of the Jesuit founder, whose feast day is July 31.
UAE, Concerned About Militant Islam, Passes Law Against Race, Faith Hate
New York Times/Reuters
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/07/20/world/middleeast/20reuters-emirates-law.html
In a royal decree pronounced on Monday, United Arab Emirates has outlawed religious and racial discrimination. Though prohibiting insults against all religions, the law is aimed in part at countering Islamist militancy--particularly the practice known as takfir, whereby hardline Muslims label followers of other schools of Islam as unbelievers.
UK's Cameron Offers Plan to Counter Attraction of Extremism
New York Times/AP
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/07/20/world/europe/ap-eu-britain-extremism.html
In an effort to counter the ideology that has attracted a number of young people to the Islamic State and make Britain a more cohesive nation, Prime Minister David Cameron is launching a five-year plan to defeat Islamic extremism.
In Northern Ireland, 'Terror Gets Old,' But Divisions Linger
by NPR Staff
NPR Religion
http://www.npr.org/2015/07/18/424120157/in-northern-ireland-terror-gets-old-but-divisions-linger
The long and bloody conflict between Catholic Irish nationalists and pro-British Protestants in Northern Ireland formally came to an end with a peace agreement in 1998. Despite the nearly two decades that have passed since, divisions and mistrust still linger in the region today.
Francis: Mining Industry In Need of 'A Radical Paradigm Change'
by Brian Roewe
National Catholic Reporter
http://ncronline.org/blogs/eco-catholic/francis-mining-industry-need-radical-paradigm-change
In keeping with the theme of his encyclical, Pope Francis called for radical changes from the global mining community on Friday, advocating for improvements in the industry's impact on the planet and the poor.
China: The Best and the Worst Place to Be a Muslim Woman
by Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian
Foreign Policy
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/07/17/china-feminism-islam-muslim-women-xinjiang-uighurs/
In the officially atheist state, Muslim women either enjoy unprecedented space for religious expression or face more restrictions on their faith than they would almost anywhere else in the world--all depending on who, and where, they are.
DOMESTIC
Chattanooga Stirs U.S. Muslims' Concerns About Radicalization
New York Times/Reuters
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/07/19/us/19reuters-usa-islam-radicalization.html
In the aftermath of a shooting rampage that killed five servicemen in Tennessee, Muslim leaders throughout the nation are imploring worshippers to combat extremist ideology, focusing especially on the dangers facing young people.
Texas Residents Condemn Plan for Muslim Cemetery
by David Warren
Washington Post/AP
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/texas-residents-condemn-plan-for-muslim-cemetery/201...
A proposal to bring a Muslim cemetery to a small Texas town has stoked fears among its residents, who are vehemently trying to convince community leaders to block the project.
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