Religion & Sectarianism: Islam's Many Reformations
The Middle East's principal religions and sects, how they differ, how and why they clash. Learn about the role of religion in politics, law and society, the difficulty of separating religion from politics, how religious differences have fueled numerous wars, and what it is about Sunnis and Shiites that has them reenacting the Reformation--with Arabic subtitles.
Glossary: Hijab, or Veil (Burqah, Chador)
A definition of the many meanings and applications of the Arabic word hijab, or veil, in the Middle East and the Islamic world.
A definition of the many meanings and applications of the Arabic word hijab, or veil, in the Middle East and the Islamic world.
Glossary: Mahdi Army
Definition of the Mahdi Army, the Shiite militia founded by Iraq's Muqtada al-Sadr in August 2003.
Definition of the Mahdi Army, the Shiite militia founded by Iraq's Muqtada al-Sadr in August 2003.
Images and the Prophet Muhammad: What Do the Koran and Islam Say?
Muslim tradition generally prohibits the representation of the human figure in art. But does the Koran actually ban representations of Muhammad or others?
Muslim tradition generally prohibits the representation of the human figure in art. But does the Koran actually ban representations of Muhammad or others?
Al-Qaeda, Al Jazeera, and the Muhammad Cartoons Controversy
Danish newspapers' decision to reprint a cartoon depicting Prophet Muhammad with a bomb in his turban re-ignites the controversy. Al-Qaeda and Al-Jazeera weigh in, with ominous results.
Danish newspapers' decision to reprint a cartoon depicting Prophet Muhammad with a bomb in his turban re-ignites the controversy. Al-Qaeda and Al-Jazeera weigh in, with ominous results.
The False Seductions of Wafa Sultan
The more serious problem with Sultan is how she has taken her fame — based on some necessary observations about present-day Islam — and turned it into a sword that sees Islam and the Koran as exclusively evil, backward, repressive.
The more serious problem with Sultan is how she has taken her fame — based on some necessary observations about present-day Islam — and turned it into a sword that sees Islam and the Koran as exclusively evil, backward, repressive.
Malcom X in Mecca
It was in mecca that Malcolm X experienced the epiphany that would change his worldview, away from hatred for whites and toward a more universal brotherhood of men--but a brotherhood possible only under Islam.
It was in mecca that Malcolm X experienced the epiphany that would change his worldview, away from hatred for whites and toward a more universal brotherhood of men--but a brotherhood possible only under Islam.
Glossary: Ihram
Definition of Ihram, the state of purity required of Muslim pilgrims before conducting the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Definition of Ihram, the state of purity required of Muslim pilgrims before conducting the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Does the Quran Require Women to Wear the Veil?
The veil is one of the most contentious issues in Islam and the Western world. But is the veil, or any form of head covering, actually required by the Quran, or is it an Islamic convention?
The veil is one of the most contentious issues in Islam and the Western world. But is the veil, or any form of head covering, actually required by the Quran, or is it an Islamic convention?
Iraq: The Kurdish Question
What is Kurdistan? Who are the Kurds? Where are they located? What are they after? And is Iraqi Kurdistan the first step toward an independent Kurdish nation?
What is Kurdistan? Who are the Kurds? Where are they located? What are they after? And is Iraqi Kurdistan the first step toward an independent Kurdish nation?
Return of Repression in Afghanistan - Afghanistan's Taliban-Lite Repression
The ouster of Afghanistan's brutal Taliban regime in 2001 was supposed to usher in freedom and democracy respectful of civil liberties and human rights. Reality is proving assumptions wrong.
The ouster of Afghanistan's brutal Taliban regime in 2001 was supposed to usher in freedom and democracy respectful of civil liberties and human rights. Reality is proving assumptions wrong.
The Muslim Veil and the Law in Europe, the United States and Canada
A country-by-country look at where the Islamic veil may be worn in public schools and universities, and where it's banned or restricted.
A country-by-country look at where the Islamic veil may be worn in public schools and universities, and where it's banned or restricted.
Glossary: Mujahidin, Mujahid
Definition of the Arabic word for "one who engages in jihad," or "warrior of God."
Definition of the Arabic word for "one who engages in jihad," or "warrior of God."
Glossary: Jihad
A definition of the Arabic word for "holy war," one of the most mis-applied and misunderstood words in the Islamic lexicon.
A definition of the Arabic word for "holy war," one of the most mis-applied and misunderstood words in the Islamic lexicon.
Glossary: Surah
Definition of the Arabic word [i]surah[/i], or "chapter."
Definition of the Arabic word [i]surah[/i], or "chapter."
Glossary: Wahhabism, or Wahhabiyah
A definition of Wahhabism, founded by Muhammad Ibn al-Wahhab, the rigid interpretation of Islam that dominates Saudi Arabian society.
A definition of Wahhabism, founded by Muhammad Ibn al-Wahhab, the rigid interpretation of Islam that dominates Saudi Arabian society.
Glossary: Ashura
Definition of Ashura, day of the commemoration of the martyrdom of Husayn, Muhammad's grandson and the third imam of Shiite Islam.
Definition of Ashura, day of the commemoration of the martyrdom of Husayn, Muhammad's grandson and the third imam of Shiite Islam.
Glossary: Sharia or Shariah
A definition of Sharia, or Islamic law, with background on historical and contemporary practices
A definition of Sharia, or Islamic law, with background on historical and contemporary practices
The Difference Between Sunnis and Shiites
The difference between Sunni and Shiite Islam, the origins of the split between the two sects, and demographics about the two sects throughout the Middle East.
The difference between Sunni and Shiite Islam, the origins of the split between the two sects, and demographics about the two sects throughout the Middle East.
The Muhammad Cartoons Controversy
In 2005, a Danish newspaper published a dozen cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. The cartoons were of astonishingly bad taste. The newspaper's point was to test freedom of expression. The Islamic world didn't see it that way. Repercussions have been far-reaching.
In 2005, a Danish newspaper published a dozen cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. The cartoons were of astonishingly bad taste. The newspaper's point was to test freedom of expression. The Islamic world didn't see it that way. Repercussions have been far-reaching.
Official Web Site of A Common Word
138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals have unanimously come together to declare common grounds between Christianity and Islam, with an open letter to the world's churches. Every denomination and school of thought in Islam is represented, as is every major Islamic country. This is the movement's Web site.
138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals have unanimously come together to declare common grounds between Christianity and Islam, with an open letter to the world's churches. Every denomination and school of thought in Islam is represented, as is every major Islamic country. This is the movement's Web site.
How to Understand Islam
A review essay by Malise Ruthven, author of several books on Islam, covering several new books on Islam and secularism, Islam's ongoing reformation, and the anti-Islamism of Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
A review essay by Malise Ruthven, author of several books on Islam, covering several new books on Islam and secularism, Islam's ongoing reformation, and the anti-Islamism of Ayaan Hirsi Ali.