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.
The Muhammad Cartoons: Complete Set
The original set of Muhammad cartoons images that exploded in controversy in 2006, after publication in Denmark's Jyllands-Posten newspaper.
The original set of Muhammad cartoons images that exploded in controversy in 2006, after publication in Denmark's Jyllands-Posten newspaper.
Nicolas Sarkozy, France and Islamic Dress
Islam and the West: Nicolas Sarkozy, France and the wearing of the Islamic veil, or burqa.
Islam and the West: Nicolas Sarkozy, France and the wearing of the Islamic veil, or burqa.
Michael Jackson in Bahrain: Pop Meets Islam
When Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, re-dicovered Islam in Bahrain to escape the glare of child molestation publicity.
When Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, re-dicovered Islam in Bahrain to escape the glare of child molestation publicity.
Why Sunni Arab Regimes Fear Democracy in Shiite Iran
Why Sunni Arab regimes, avowed enemies of the Shiite regime in Iran, fear democracy in Iran even more.
Why Sunni Arab regimes, avowed enemies of the Shiite regime in Iran, fear democracy in Iran even more.
Obama Declares an End to Clash of Civilizations
Speaking in Istanbul, Barack Obama declared an end to the Clash of Civilizations, the thesis invented by Samuel Huntington that gave Bush's war on terror its language and rationale.
Speaking in Istanbul, Barack Obama declared an end to the Clash of Civilizations, the thesis invented by Samuel Huntington that gave Bush's war on terror its language and rationale.
Netanyahu, Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock
Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem Day: Using the rhetoric of an undivided city to further divide Palestinians and Israelis over the Tenple Mount and the Dome of the Rock.
Benjamin Netanyahu and Jerusalem Day: Using the rhetoric of an undivided city to further divide Palestinians and Israelis over the Tenple Mount and the Dome of the Rock.
Melkite - Melkites
Brief definition and history of the Melkites (eastern-church Catholics) of the Middle East.
Brief definition and history of the Melkites (eastern-church Catholics) of the Middle East.
Christians of the Middle East
Country by Country Facts and Figures on Christians of the Middle East, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Iraq and Egypt.
Country by Country Facts and Figures on Christians of the Middle East, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Iraq and Egypt.
Who Are Egypt's Copts and Coptic Christians?
Brief explanation and history of Egypt's Copts and Coptic Christians, minus the misconceptions and misapplications of the terms.
Brief explanation and history of Egypt's Copts and Coptic Christians, minus the misconceptions and misapplications of the terms.
Can Ayatollah Khomeini's Revolution Survive? - Religion and Reality i…
Striking contradictions undermine the roots of Ayatollah Khomeini's Iranian Revolution, not least of which the joining of temporal (or political) and spiritual leadership under one "Supreme Leader." Can the revolution survive without force?
Striking contradictions undermine the roots of Ayatollah Khomeini's Iranian Revolution, not least of which the joining of temporal (or political) and spiritual leadership under one "Supreme Leader." Can the revolution survive without force?
What's a "Supreme Leader"?
Shiite Islam, the Iranian Revolution and the Concept of Supreme Leader: an invention of Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini.
Shiite Islam, the Iranian Revolution and the Concept of Supreme Leader: an invention of Ayatollah Ruholla Khomeini.
Afghanistan's "Rape Law" and Women's Protests
What Afghanistan's rape law says and how women got stoned protesting it in Kabul.
What Afghanistan's rape law says and how women got stoned protesting it in Kabul.
Why Afghanistan Is the Wrong War: Blasphemy of Human Rights
Blasphemy after blasphemy of human rights, women's rights and civil rights show why Afghanistan is the wrong war. Yet Barack Obama persists in escalating American troops and staking his future on protecting Afghanistan. Why?
Blasphemy after blasphemy of human rights, women's rights and civil rights show why Afghanistan is the wrong war. Yet Barack Obama persists in escalating American troops and staking his future on protecting Afghanistan. Why?
Lebanon's Ayatollah Fadlallah, Shiites' (and Hezbollah's) Spiritual Leader
Beyond stereotype: Lebanon's Ayatollah Fadlallah, Hezbollah's spiritual leader. An analysis of the interview with the Wall Street Journal.
Beyond stereotype: Lebanon's Ayatollah Fadlallah, Hezbollah's spiritual leader. An analysis of the interview with the Wall Street Journal.
What Was the 1977 Hanafi Siege in Washington, D.C.?
Brief history of the Hanafi siege and kidnapping by 12 Black Muslim gunmen of 134 hostages at three locations in Washington, D.C. on March 9-11, 1977.
Brief history of the Hanafi siege and kidnapping by 12 Black Muslim gunmen of 134 hostages at three locations in Washington, D.C. on March 9-11, 1977.
Learning to Live With Radical Islam
Newsweek's Fareed Zakaria argues that learning to live with radical Islam is the only way to neutralize its deadlier mutant, bin Ladenism and terrorism. Is Zakaria right?
Newsweek's Fareed Zakaria argues that learning to live with radical Islam is the only way to neutralize its deadlier mutant, bin Ladenism and terrorism. Is Zakaria right?
Learning to Live With Radical Islam
Newsweek's Fareed Zakaria argues that learning to live with radical Islam is the only way to neutralize its deadlier mutant, bin Ladenism and terrorism. Is Zakaria right?
Newsweek's Fareed Zakaria argues that learning to live with radical Islam is the only way to neutralize its deadlier mutant, bin Ladenism and terrorism. Is Zakaria right?
Profile: Iran's Mohammed Khatami, Reformist Cleric
Iran's Mohammed Khatami: Profile of a Reformist Philosopher-Cleric and Iranian President (1997-2005).
Iran's Mohammed Khatami: Profile of a Reformist Philosopher-Cleric and Iranian President (1997-2005).
How Israel Helped to Spawn Hamas
Beginning in the 1970s, Israel helped to spawn Hamas in Gaza in an attempt to counterbalance the influence of Fatah and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The gamble failed.
Beginning in the 1970s, Israel helped to spawn Hamas in Gaza in an attempt to counterbalance the influence of Fatah and the Palestine Liberation Organization. The gamble failed.
Profile: Ayman al Zawahiri
Ayman al Zawahiri's evolution from the comforts of middle class life in Cairo to the crags of Afghanistan and Pakistan as Osama bin Laden's and Al Qaeda's ideological compass: A profile of Ayman al Zawahiri
Ayman al Zawahiri's evolution from the comforts of middle class life in Cairo to the crags of Afghanistan and Pakistan as Osama bin Laden's and Al Qaeda's ideological compass: A profile of Ayman al Zawahiri
Twelver Shiites' 12 Imams
A chronology and list of Shiites' Twelve Imams, founders of Islam's Twelver Shiitism, from Ali ibn Abu Talib to the ever-evanescent "mahdi."
A chronology and list of Shiites' Twelve Imams, founders of Islam's Twelver Shiitism, from Ali ibn Abu Talib to the ever-evanescent "mahdi."
Twelver Shiites, or Ithna Ahariyah
Definition of Twelver Shiites, or Ithna ‘Ashariyah or Imamiyah, a major subdivision of of Shiitism's spiritual suburbs.
Definition of Twelver Shiites, or Ithna ‘Ashariyah or Imamiyah, a major subdivision of of Shiitism's spiritual suburbs.
Imam
Definition of Imam, or Khalifah, in Islam.
Definition of Imam, or Khalifah, in Islam.
How Saudi Arabia Discriminates Against Jews
It isn't a secret that Saudi Arabia has long discriminated against Jews, forbidding them to enter the country. Bot for years, the U.S. government complied and enabled Saudi bigotry.
It isn't a secret that Saudi Arabia has long discriminated against Jews, forbidding them to enter the country. Bot for years, the U.S. government complied and enabled Saudi bigotry.
Masjid al-Haram, or the Grand Mosque in Mecca
Definition and brief history of Masjid al-Haram, or the Grand Mosque, the holiest site in Islam, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Definition and brief history of Masjid al-Haram, or the Grand Mosque, the holiest site in Islam, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
What Is the Muslim Brotherhood?
What Is the Muslim Brotherhood, when was it founded, by whom and to what purpose? A quick explanation of the Ikhwan movement founded by Hasan al-Banna and remade by Syed Qutb.
What Is the Muslim Brotherhood, when was it founded, by whom and to what purpose? A quick explanation of the Ikhwan movement founded by Hasan al-Banna and remade by Syed Qutb.
Brigitte Gabriel, Islamophobe
Brigitte Gabriel is a Lebanese-born Christian who's marketing her experiences in war-torn Lebanon into fear-whipping Islamophobia in the United States.
Brigitte Gabriel is a Lebanese-born Christian who's marketing her experiences in war-torn Lebanon into fear-whipping Islamophobia in the United States.
Ayatollah Khomeini's 1989 Fatwa on Salman Rushdie Over "The Satanic Verses"
The actual words Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini spoke in his death sentence fatwa on Indian author Salman Rushdie over Rushdie's "Satanic Verses" in 1989.
The actual words Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini spoke in his death sentence fatwa on Indian author Salman Rushdie over Rushdie's "Satanic Verses" in 1989.
Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses": Excerpts of Controversial Passages
Excerpts, quotes and explanations of some of the most controversial passages from Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses."
Excerpts, quotes and explanations of some of the most controversial passages from Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses."
An Appraisal of Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses"
An appraisal of Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses" on the novel's 20th anniversary.
An appraisal of Salman Rushdie's "Satanic Verses" on the novel's 20th anniversary.
Timeline of the Salman Rushdie Affair Over "The Satanic Verses"
A timeline of the Salman Rushdie Affair over "The Satanic Verses" from 1988 to the present, including Ayatollah Khomeini's fatwa, or death sentence, on Rushdie and its consequences.
A timeline of the Salman Rushdie Affair over "The Satanic Verses" from 1988 to the present, including Ayatollah Khomeini's fatwa, or death sentence, on Rushdie and its consequences.
The Satanic Verses in Islamic History
An explanation of the Satanic verses in Islamic history (as opposed to "The Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie): What were the verses, why did Muhammad utter them? did he really utter them?
An explanation of the Satanic verses in Islamic history (as opposed to "The Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie): What were the verses, why did Muhammad utter them? did he really utter them?
Glossary: Zakat or alms-giving
Zakat, or alms-giving, is one of the five pillars of Islam, the five duties required of every practicing Muslim.
Zakat, or alms-giving, is one of the five pillars of Islam, the five duties required of every practicing Muslim.
What Is Ramadan? A Social and Historical Explanation of Islam's Holy Month
Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month of the Muslim lunar calendar. For those 29 or 30 days, Muslims, as a spiritual exercise designed to bring them closer to God through contemplation and humility, but not without joy and festivities, are required to abstain from food, drink and sex of any sort during daylight hours.
Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month of the Muslim lunar calendar. For those 29 or 30 days, Muslims, as a spiritual exercise designed to bring them closer to God through contemplation and humility, but not without joy and festivities, are required to abstain from food, drink and sex of any sort during daylight hours.
The Five Pillars of Islam
The five pillars of Islam are the five duties required of every practicing Muslim. Sunnis believe in the Five Pillars. Shiites do as well, though they add two or three. An historical explanation.
The five pillars of Islam are the five duties required of every practicing Muslim. Sunnis believe in the Five Pillars. Shiites do as well, though they add two or three. An historical explanation.
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.