Islam

Despite the negative messaging nowadays about the Qur’an (the scripture of the Muslims) among the haters, it is a book replete with love, mercy, warmth and peace (to the extent that Muslims are bewildered by the odd opinions of it among outsiders–most of whom have never read it). My new book, out October 9, explores […]

Featured

Surprise! On how Muhammad never preached “Jihad”

Juan Cole

There is no ‘holy war’ in the Qur’an and ‘jihad’ means trying to be a good person

Buddhism

Army of Buddhist Burma made ‘Systematic’ Crackdown Plan for Muslim Rohingyas

AFP

‘Fortify Rights’ conducted months of study in Myanmar and Bangladesh

Islam

New Light on the Arabian Religious Background of Islam?

Juan Cole

Aside from the Qur’an itself, all the sources we have were written down after the Abbasid Revolution of 750 against the Umayyads

Antisemitism

On how there is no Tradition of anti-Semitism in Islam

Peter Wien

The history contradicts media stereotypes

Featured

Muslim Clerics condemn Suicide Bombing, Targeting Civilians as Violations of Islamic Law

Juan Cole

Indonesia hosted a conference of 70 prominent Muslim clergymen from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indonesia to combat extremism

Music

Pakistan’s Sufi music fights to be heard after singer’s Killing

AFP

Extremist Muslims cast a pall on spiritual tradition

Judaism

Tunisia: Muslim Religious Right endorses Jewish Candidate for Parliament

AFP

Slama says al-Nahda is a civil party now and Jewish Tunisians’ fears are beginning to be allayed

Islam

Peace in Islam: Qur’an 73:10 on Patience as Tolerance

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Chapter 73 of the Qur’an, “The Robed” (Al-Muzammil), contains what is probably the earliest Islamic injunction to turn the other cheek. 8 Remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him wholeheartedly– 9 the Lord of the East and the West. There is no god save He, so […]