Islam

Zainab Khan, mentor of Muslim Americans: “Muslims are not x, y and z. We are not a monolith”

Zainab Khan defines herself as “a human being” who happens to be a mother, a wife, a sister, a daughter, a mentor, a Muslim… Someone for whom her heritage is “very important, because that’s the story I’m able to preserve”. Her father was from Afghanistan, her mother was Indo-Pakistani and she was born and raised in the US, so she feels like a “third spacer”.

Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Like U

Three religions under the same roof: this is Berlin’s next revolution

Kristin Bohner is Christian and admits certain envy every time she sees Muslims prostrate themselves on a rug to pray, without using a bank. Cagatay Caliskan is Muslim and admires the wealth of traditions Jews have. Esther Hirsch is Jewish and recognizes that she did not know all the things that Jews and Muslims had in common. All three of them live in Berlin. They are part of a team that is working to build the first great sacred place that will host three religions and all the others which want to take part, welcoming atheists or agnostics as well. The doors of ‘House of One‘ will be wide open to everyone.

Library

Mona Eltahawy: “If you voted for Donald Trump, you are a racist”

The outspoken journalist and activist Mona Eltahawy thinks everyone has the “right to offend”, just like everyone has the right to “protest offence”. She suffered censorship crudely enough in the past, and therefore defends tackling white supremacism as well as patriarchy by fighting back. Peacefully.

Islamophobia

Expert warns about more terror attacks against Muslims in Europe if politicians don’t tackle Islamophobia

Islamophobia is the new normal, also among politicians of any ideology, co-editor of the European Islamophobia Report, Enes Bayrakli, says. He warns this -which he considers “anti-Muslim racism” threatens the very foundations of democracy in Europe, with possible new terror attacks but also from within the institutions.

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Alicia and Aladdin, the beautiful love story of a Catholic and a Muslim

Alicia cannot stop smiling. Aladdin makes jokes and laughs. They have such an energy that nobody would say it has been only ten days since they became parents. Amelia sleeps peacefully next to her parents while they chat with Salam Plan in a cafe in Madrid on a cold January morning. They gladly share their love story for Valentine’s Day.

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Ramia Schannel, the Muslim YouTuber from Spain who advised the European Commission

She is always smiling and has a natural gift to speak in front of the camera, although she assures to be shy and feel “stressed” when she is surrounded by many people. That is why she gets nervous when someone recognizes her on the street. This young lady from Barcelona (Spain) who graduated in Business Management has more than 38,000 followers on her YouTube channel, Ramia Schannel.

Islamophobia

A cross-party commission agrees on the definition of Islamophobia to tackle it in the UK

“Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of muslimness or perceived muslimness.” This definition is the result of half a year of investigation and consultation directed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims.

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Sannah Hussain, the Scottish boxer who fights Albinism and discrimination

“Without my illness, I don’t think I would have the same drive.” Sannah Hussain would love to be a professional boxer, but she suffers from Albinism and an auto-immune condition which do not let her see well or have the physical strength she might need. Nevertheless, she does not give up and already took part in an exhibition fight last Septembre, after just about half a year of training. Another one is planned for next March.

Islamophobia

Meet the two first Muslim women elected to Congress in the US: Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib

Ilhan Omar y Rashida Tlaib have made history in these Midterm elections in the United States by becoming the first two Muslim women to be elected to Congress. The first one arrived as a Somali refugee at the age of 8 after fleeing the civil war in her native country; the second, was born in Detroit as the daughter of Palestinian immigrants.

Arts & Crafts

Sinead O’Connor converts to Islam and changes her name to Shuhada

“This is to announce that I am proud to have become a Muslim,” Irish singer formerly called Sinead O’Connor tweeted on October 19th. Now called Shuhada Davitt assured she feels “very, very, very happy.”