By Reza Aslan Every time I hear about how Sen. Barack Obama is going to “re-brand” America’s image in the Middle East, I can’t help but think about Jimmy Carter’s toast. When the idealistic Democrat came to Iran in 1977 to ring in the new year with Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the country’s much-despised despot,…
The city of Ourense recently premiered its first butcher shop offering various meats slaughters according to Muslim rites. Merbah Abdelouahab Chorti, an Algerian in Ourense who decided to open up the shop after his own dissatisfaction of not being able to find permissible meat to cook with and eat in the town. His halal shop…
Italy and Libya have agreed to jointly patrol the Mediterranean Sea to stop illegal immigration from Libya to Italy. In the deal, Italy will supply Libya with six patrol boats to help officials from both countries increase their watch at ports and beaches that serve as popular departure points. The deail will save many human…
The UGT union denounced the situation faced by Muslim minors living in the La Esparanza center in Tenerife, in the town of El Rosario. The company, which manages the catering, was denounced – citing the responsibility to take into account the religious needs of minors. Among the citations included the serving of pork, instead of…
Six mosques have been officially recognized in northern Belgium; the mosques will receive state subsidies and get their wages from state funds. In Belgium imams only qualify if they can show that they are integrated and can speak Dutch fluently, and are familiar with Flemish society. Starting in 2008, authorities in Flanders will pay 30%…
