Misery memoirs: why is it different for Muslim women?

Samira Ahmed writes in this post why women writing about suffering in Islamic states are slated for supporting a patronising attitude towards those societies. The success of harrowing true stories of abuse and poverty led to a special label for books such as Dave Pelzer’s A Child Called It or Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes. But…

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A Helping Hand from Saudi Arabia

Giacomo Galeazzi 4/17/2013 King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud sent a message to the Pope through the Saudi ambassador in Italy. The message explained important strides the Saudi government has taken allow for religious diversity, including the creation of an international center for inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue. However, despite recent steps, the author points out that…

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The Undivided Past: history beyond our differences, By David Cannadine

David Cannadine, a leading historian makes a spirited case for harmony against the myths of identity politics according to the writer of this book review published in The Independent. the historian Sir David Cannadine seeks an understanding of the past that finds its focus in our age-old conversations and collaborations, rather than in conflict. Emperor…

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Book Review: ”The Daughters of Allah” by Nedim Gürsel

Allah’s Disempowered Daughters In 2008, the renowned Turkish author Nedim Gürsel was charged with insulting Islam in his novel The Daughters of Allah. He was later acquitted. The novel has now been translated into German. Stefan Weidner read the book Upon reading this book, it at last becomes apparent what has always been missing –…

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Pope Francis has a model for Muslim engagement in St. Francis of Assisi

(RNS) Just as many Catholics have connected Pope Francis’ humility and austere lifestyle with that of St. Francis of Assisi, those seeking clues on the new pontiff’s approach to Christian-Muslim relations see another example in the iconic namesake. In a little known episode in 1219, St. Francis left the camp of the crusaders besieging the…

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