Islam

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Pope Francis and Ahmed el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, signed a joint declaration on human fraternity during an interreligious meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Feb. 4, 2019.

Pope Francis signs peace declaration on ‘Human Fraternity’ with Grand Imam

Feb 4, 2019

By Mary Farrow

Catholics, Muslims and all who believe in God must work together to build a culture of love, peace and human... Read more

Pope Francis embraces Ahmed el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, in Cairo, April 28, 2017.

Popes in the Middle East: Highlights of papal outreach in the region

Feb 2, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis is set to celebrate the first papal Mass on the Arabian peninsula next week during his Feb. 3-5... Read more

Pope Francis at a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 17, 2015.

Pope Francis to visit Abu Dhabi in February 2019

Dec 6, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis will travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates Feb. 3-5 to participate in an international interfaith... Read more

European Court of Human Rights.

European court upholds conviction of woman accused of insulting Muhammed

Oct 26, 2018

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) this week upheld a conviction against an Austrian woman who called the Islamic... Read more

Iceland's possible circumcision ban raises religious liberty questions

Feb 19, 2018

An Icelandic bill that would bar circumcision for non-medical reasons has given rise to opposition from various religious groups, including... Read more

Bishop Matthew Kukah.

Nigerian bishop condemns “cries of shrill Islamization”

Jan 11, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Matthew Kukah has decried “cries of shrill Islamization across the land,” enabled by government corruption, according to a Jan.... Read more

Cardinal Bechara Rai.

Analysis: Cardinal Rai begins strategic call for Saudi religious freedom

Nov 28, 2017

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The first cardinal to be officially invited to visit Saudi Arabia, Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch, has... Read more

How can Saudi Arabia counter violent extremism? Religious freedom, expert says

Oct 26, 2017

By Kevin J. Jones

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has suggested a turn towards moderate Islam, especially among younger Saudis who want... Read more

Candle Vigil.

Imams, religious leaders voice 'utter disgust' after London attack

Jun 6, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

More than 130 imams and religious leaders throughout the UK have joined voices in strongly condemning recent terrorist attacks in... Read more

Pope Francis greets Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi, director of the General Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society, at the Vatican April 5, 2017.

Dialogue is essential, Pope Francis tells British Muslim leaders

Apr 5, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis met Wednesday with a delegation of Muslim leaders from Great Britain along with Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster... Read more

Nasir Mosque.

Priest: We need to praise what is good, true in the Muslim faith

Feb 28, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Not only is there a good deal in common between Muslims and Christians, but Catholics are called to respect and... Read more

Sunni Tehreek supporters protest in favor of Mumtaz Qadri, convicted killer of Salmaan Taseer, during a rally at Mall road in Lahore, Oct. 1, 2011.

In Pakistan, mass arrests halt rally backing blasphemy law

Jan 6, 2017

Supporters of Pakistan’s strict blasphemy law attempted to march in Lahore on Wednesday, but were thwarted when police made more... Read more

Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja "Ahok" Purnama (L) meets with the Australian ambassador to Indonesia, March 3, 2016.

In Indonesia, Christian governor rejects blasphemy charge

Dec 16, 2016

The Christian governor of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, could face stiff penalties if convicted of insulting the Quran –... Read more

The site where the Christian couple were lynched at a brick factory in Pakistan's Punjab province in November 2014. Photo courtesy of Legal Evangelical Association Development.

In Pakistan, 13 sentenced over lynching of Christian couple

Nov 30, 2016

Five men in Pakistan's Punjab province were sentenced to death last week for their leading role in the November 2014... Read more

A Muslim chaplain at prayer.

For religious freedom advocates, a 'Muslim registry' is inconceivable

Nov 24, 2016

By Matt Hadro

The incoming Trump administration’s immigration policy must avoid a religious registry or any “stigmatizing” of religious groups, religious freedom advocates... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the grand imam Sheik Ahmed Muhammad Al-Tayyib at the Vatican May 23, 2016.

Vatican bishop lays out 'roadmap' for dialogue with Islam

Nov 8, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

There is a roadmap for dialogue with Islam, and its three landmarks are peace, justice and education, says a leading... Read more

A nuclear bomb explosion at the Nevada Test Site, April 18, 1953. Photo courtesy of National Nuclear Security Administration/Nevada Site Office.

Catholic and Shia Muslim leaders unite to condemn WMDs, terrorism

Aug 29, 2016

Shia Muslim religious leaders from Iran and U.S. Catholic bishops say they have a common fight against weapons of mass... Read more

Muslims in France, Italy attend Mass in solidarity with Fr Hamel

Aug 1, 2016

Following the murder of Fr. Jacques Hamel by terrorists who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, Muslims across France and... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the grand imam Sheik Ahmed Muhammad Al-Tayyib at the Vatican May 23, 2016.

Pope Francis disagrees with identifying Islam as violent

Jul 31, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis has questioned the claim that Islam should be identified with violence, in contrast to the Islamic State militant... Read more

Pope Francis at the Divine Mercy Vigil in St. Peter's Square, April 2, 2016.

Pope takes new step in relaunching dialogue with Al-Azhar

Jul 13, 2016

By Elise Harris

Less than two months after one of Sunni Islam’s highest authorities came to the Vatican following several years of icy... Read more