German-Saudi relations on the rocks over weapons sales, missionary activities

Germany has prolonged a temporary ban on weapons exports to Saudi Arabia until the end of March. While the question of whether to sell arms to authoritarian regimes in the Middle East has sprung up repeatedly in German public debates over the years, the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has put it back in the…

Share Button
Read More

The case of Saudi teen refugee Rahaf Al-Qunun who finds asylum in Canada after international twitter campaign seen as another example of ‘saving the Muslim woman’ trope

At a time in which there is the global migrant crisis has rendered refugees ‘faceless strangers’, the case of Rahaf Al Qunun captured worldwide attention, resulting in an international twitter campaign to #SafeRahaf. Undoubtedly, the high-profile nature of the case ensured swift acceptance into Canada, where she was greeted at the airport by Canada’s minister…

Share Button
Read More

Hajj and globalisation: How Saudi Arabia is adapting, and could adapt, to the challenges of modernity to pilgrimage

With demand for Hajj increasing, Saudi Arabia has had to adapt the infrastructure of the pilgrimage, and faces further challenges in terms of regulating the Hajj tour-operating industry which operates worldwide.

Share Button
Read More

A secular Muslim’s guide to drinking alcohol during Ramadan

Writing in the Washington Post, Khaled Diab offers his guide to drinking alcohol during Ramadan for secular Muslims. While alcohol is considered prohibited by the majority of Muslims, a significant minority of Muslims do consume it, and interestingly, a number of Muslim-majority countries top the global rankings for alcohol consumption, meaning Muslims living in them often outdrink their Western counterparts.

Share Button
Read More

#OurZakatBelongsHere: The Case for the Local Distribution of Zakah

Mamnun Khan has recently examined the way in which British Muslims give zakah, a very relevant topic for Ramadan. He argues for the local distribution of zakah as it is not only more effective, but also in accordance with Islamic theology.

Share Button
Read More