Why are victims of COVID19 in England disproportionately from BAME? The appointment of Trevor Phillips to inquiry into this sensitive issue draws criticism

The appointment of Trevor Phillips to provide support to an inquiry into why victims of the coronavirus are disproportionately from BAME backgrounds has been criticised by British Muslim groups and individuals, as well as other minority groups. According to NHS England data, the first 12,600 deaths in hospitals in England has shown that they make

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American Muslims left with little choice after favourite Bernie Sanders drops out of presidential race

Many American Muslims consider themselves with little choice but to support Democratic candidate Joe Biden after favourite Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders conceded defeat in the democratic race for presidential nomination. Sanders had garnered American Muslim support unlike any other candidate, with many appreciating the effort Sanders had put into cultivating the American Muslim vote, when

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Ramadan in times of Covid-19 in Germany: new social initiatives, old political fault-lines

Like Christian Easter and Jewish Passover celebrations a few weeks ago, in Germany the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is taking place this year in the shadow of Covid-19. This means that much of the regular festive programme is falling flat: mosques have been closed since mid-March, meaning that believers cannot pray or socialise at

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British Muslims adapt and reflect on the virtues of a Ramadan in isolation

While Ramadan exemplifies the social nature of the Islamic faith, in a time of lockdown and social distancing,  British Muslims have been forced to accept a Ramadan without iftar dinners with family and friends, communal gatherings in mosques for the Ramadan-specific tarawih night prayers and very possibly, restrictions on celebrating Eid at the end of

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How Coronavirus is changing Muslim Funeral Rites

The onslaught of Coronavirus has meant measures have been taken to accommodate the new normal in the midst of this pandemic. For example, a Birmingham mosque has turned its car park into a temporary morgue holding up to 70 bodies at a time. Other measures have been taken to minimise the the risk of the

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