This article responds to U.S. President Obama´s speech to the Muslim World in Cairo, particularly his defense of Muslim women wearing the headscarf in Western countries. Obama noted that he rejected the positions of some Western nations and that to cover her hair does not mean that a woman is unequal, a position contrary to…
Included below is the beginning of the transcript from United States President Barack Obama’s speech in Cairo on June 4, 2009 on America’s relationship with Muslim communities around the world. PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you very much. Good afternoon. I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two…
The Council on American-Islamic Relations released an open letter to President Obama and the Muslim world offering specific policy recommendations for the president’s historic address in Cairo, on June 4th. In the open letter, Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) wrote in part: “As you prepare for your…
“Radio Muezzin,” a one-act documentary style play conceived by Swiis director Stefan Kaegi, was deemed too politically touchy an undertaking for Egyptians to embrace openly, according to the play’s promoters. While it cannot be seen in Cairo – the actual setting of the play itself – a performance was recently put on in Germany, funded…
Imams have a strong influence on Muslims living in Germany. One of their tasks is the issuing of fatwas — religious opinions on Islamic law which can serve as behavioral guidelines for Muslims in specific situations. For years now, the teachings of imams in Germany have been hotly debated. The vast majority (90 percent) are…
