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Shared space of faith: The entrance to the Abrahamic Family House. Photo: Kibo Ngowi

The Abrahamic Family House and the fragility of coexistence

In Abu Dhabi, a space built for coexistence raises difficult questions about religion, power and the violence unfolding across the region

Hit: Smoke rising from the Thai bulk carrier, Mayuree Naree, near the Strait of Hormuz after an attack in March 2026. Photo: Royal Thai Navy

Iran war and Greater Israel Project

The US-Israel war on Iran is disrupting oil trade, pushing up petrol prices and raising concerns over the growing use of religion to justify war

Pope Francis

Leverage Pope Francis’s example to combat extremism that threatens world peace

It would be a tragedy if the pontiff left this world with the current global leadership crisis, where greed and egos escalate crises

Diversity, equity and inclusion threatens a dominant narrative — whiteness, heterosexuality, patriarchy

Diversity, equity and inclusion kills: Why we need to stop advocating for it

If power and accountability remain unchanged, inclusion efforts do not create equity — they reinforce vulnerability

Pray away: Muslim women pray the first Taraweeh evening prayer on the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan at the Nizamiye Mosque in
Midrand, Johannesburg, but the author laments the lack of equitable spaces for women in many of the city’s mosques. Photo: Gulshan Khan/AFP

Joburg’s mosques need to be more open

These are community spaces and should be available to all

Beliefs: Matters such as Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people and the role of women in society are among the issues that will decide where Muslim voters place their crosses in May’s elections. Photo David Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

Who will Muslims vote for?

Few parties align with my beliefs as a follower of Islam and a South African, writes Ozayr Patel

Disputed: The Ram Mandir was consecrated in January. The Hindu temple is built on a site believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. In 1992, Hindu nationalists demolished the Babri Mosque on the same site, the site of another temple in the 16th century. Photo: Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images

God edition: Hindu nationalism clangs temple bells

We should question the politics using the Hindu religion and we must reject it if it is wrong

Imtiaz Suliman, Head of Shari’ah, Sentio Capital Management

The practical, religion-agnostic world of Shari’ah financial services

A differentiated segment of financial solutions available to all consumers

Futile: Palestinians live among the wreck and rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza. Photo: Abed Rahim Khatib/Anadolu/Getty Images

South African lawyers seek ‘blood money’ to compensate Gaza victims

They want the UK and US to pay for damages for their alleged role in assisting the Israeli military to commit war crimes and genocide

Purifying: Children play in the grounds of the Badi Masjid on the banks of the River Ganges during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The Prophet speaks of not wasting or polluting water and the importance of sharing it. Photo: Sanjay Kanojia/Getty Images

Every Muslim must look after the Earth

There is a duty to show kindness, preserve life, care for the natural environment and not waste water

Refugee: Like Seven of Nine (above), the heroine in ‘Star Trek’, Said Shaiye, the author of ‘Are You Borg Now?’, admits to a limited emotional range.

An inner dialogue about a Somali in America

Said Shaiye’s memoir refuses vulnerability in favour of macho, compelling inner dialogue

In a country with high levels of poverty, betting is a crucial source of last resort income.

Forbidden in Islam, but gambling wins in Senegal

In a country with high levels of poverty, betting is a crucial source of last resort income. It’s also forbidden in Islam

Swedish artist Lars Vilks.    (BJORN LINDGREN/AFP via Getty Images)

Celebrating the death of Lars Vilks diminishes our humanity

We are at our best when we feel hurt but resist the impulse to exact revenge

Humanitarian crisis: Water is heavily rationed to Yemenis who have been displaced by the war in the country. It is only available during one-hour windows.

The orchestrators of the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in Yemen

As the crisis continues to unfold, the biggest threat may be the vested interest in maintaining the civil war Therefore, with no end in sight to the conflict plaguing the nation,…

Keeping faith: People pray at the 23rd Street mosque in Mayfair, Johannesburg, last week. Most mosques have since closed ahead of the lockdown, on advice from the Jamiat ul Ulema South Africa. (Michele Spatari/AFP)

The solitary choreography of solo prayer

Covid-19 transmissions in mosques and churches have complicated our relationships with them

The ‘Enemy’: India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the help of his henchman, the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, has pushed through the Citizenship Amendment Act that discriminates against Muslims.  (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Democracy and charisma: A dangerous liaison

In India and the Philippines, strongmen have consolidated immense power through democratic means. How do we explain this?

Africa has the world’s third largest Catholic population, after the Americas and Europe. Nearly one out of every five Africans — 19.2% — is Catholic. (Reuters/Yara Nardi)

Africa’s Catholic churches face competition and a troubled legacy as they grow

Pope Francis’ recently completed tour of needs to be understood in the context of the church’s long history in Africa and its modern-day difficulties

Another popular chant at Anfield describes Salah as a “gift from Allah”. (Jose Breton/NurPhoto)

Mo Sa-la-la-la-lah reduces Islamophobia

Salah’s popularity is particularly notable. One popular chant heard around Anfield these days goes like this: ‘Mo Sa-la-la-la-lah, Mo Sa-la-la-la-lah’

Six candidates are vying to succeed President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who is standing down after a decade in power. (AFP)

Rivalry and revelry mark Mauritania election campaign

After a campaign rich in colour and steeped in desert traditions, voters in Mauritania will choose on Saturday among six candidates

While the authors say that sharia does not necessarily represent the core of Islamic identity — which is very diverse — today’s Muslims have to study the timeless ethical principles at its base. (Reuters)

BOOK REVIEW: Understanding Sharia Islamic law in a globalised world

This book is a must read for those seeking to understand an important worldview that no longer remains hidden in the sands of the desert