islam

January 27, 2012

Boko Haram 3

More articles related to Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Read more →
January 10, 2012

Boko Haram 2

A Storified collection of articles about Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria.

Read more →
August 9, 2011

The Mystery of the Veil: the other side

Jaim Booth Cundy, “The Mystery of the Veil,” Psychology Today. Cundy takes a look at the growing ban-the-veil laws in Europe and explores the issue from the other side: what about women who freely choose to wear the veil as an expression of their religious faith? What is the difference between forcing a woman to wear a veil, and forcing her not to wear one? Chillingly to me: a woman who repeatedly insists on wearing a veil in public can, in Belgium, be forced to attend re-education classes. Consider Ed Stetzer’s related comment (on the banning of mosques): “My concern is simple: [...]

Read more →
August 9, 2011

On Iftar waste and ideas of bounty in the midst of a fast

Muby Asger, “What a waste: Iftar excess,” Gulf News examines wasted food around the iftar. Background: Iftar is the breaking of the Ramadan fast. What most fasters do is fast during the day and then, after sundown, they break their fast with an extravagant meal. Although the article is mostly focused on the waste, there are some intriguing cultural notes inside the article. “Contrary to what the norm is during daylight hours, this is a month of extravagance when it comes to iftar food. Culturally, people expect their iftar table to be packed with a variety of dishes. It’s irrelevant whether [...]

Read more →
July 29, 2011

Muslims, non-Muslims dislike each other: the church should be the 10% to shift this

In “Issue: Muslims, non-Muslims dislike each other” (The Jakarta Post), we learn what most people would think is fairly obvious. The study was conducted by Pew and found that there have been some improvements but negative views of each other persist. Whenever we have a culture that promotes a negative stereotype of someone else, we will eventually have outlier behavior. The outlier behavior may eventually be violent, and the superempowered outlier can have a great destructive capacity. Yet we’ve also read that just 10% of the population can be enough to shift attitudes. The Bible tells us those who are [...]

Read more →
July 28, 2011

Carl Medearis: Why evangelicals should stop evangelizing

Carl Meadearis writes a guest post on CNN’s Belief Blogs. No, he’s not calling for evangelicals to stop talking about Jesus. That doesn’t stop him from making some very good points. My take: when we think of “evangelization” and “conversion” as “us vs them” and “who’s in or out” and a score-board kind of conversion, rather than “evangelization” as “sharing good news” with an emphasis on whole-life discipleship rather than one-time hand-raising, we get onto a very slippery slope. Worth the five minutes or so it takes to read the article.

Read more →
July 22, 2011

Boko Haram

A new fundamentalist Islamic group is becoming well known in northern Nigeria. It has a very long official name but locals call it “Boko Haram,” a name which apparently means something on the order of “Western or non-Islamic education is a sin.” It seeks sharia law in northern Nigeria and has been active since 2002, but became well known internationally after violent attacks in 2010 and 2011. Boko Haram rejects virtually everything to do with Western thinking. In addition to attacks on various governmental buildings and people, Boko Haram has bombed beer gardens and on July 10 bombed the All [...]

Read more →
July 22, 2011

Mistaken Monotheism: Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God?

It is perhaps one of the more controversial and challenging subjects, and not one which I can claim to be an expert on. But today The Gospel Coalition has up a post called “Mistaken Monotheism,” by Chris Bruno, which takes on the issue in light of a new book by Miroslav Volf, “Allah: A Christian Response.” Bruno thinks that without God’s self-revelation, it is impossible to know him. Fair enough. But he goes on to assert that, if you are worshiping a God other than through the path of Biblical revelation, either God is “unknown” (as he was to the [...]

Read more →
July 11, 2011

Relatives of Islamic leaders attracted to Christianity

It’s long been whispered, and this is one of the first public articles I’ve seen on the subject: The Iranian Christian News Agency on “Family members of the Islamic Leaders are attracted to Chrsitainity“: “One of the greatest concerns of the Islamic Republic leaders is the ever-increasing interest of the Iranian population, inside and outside of Iran, to Christianity and this interest has reached the family members of these leaders.” H/T Karen Hatley.

Read more →
July 8, 2011

Trends in North Sudan: War, and us ignoring them

We can all celebrate the new freedom for South Sudan. It’s a great thing–for them. The way forward will be difficult and perhaps tense at times, but at least they will have a chance. However, the downside of this is: the majority of those opposed to the policies of the north have now left. This means that the north is now free to fully implement its policies in its remaining territory, to the detriment (perhaps) of the small minority remaining there who disagree with Khartoum. The place to watch in this regard is the Nuba Mountains.

Read more →
June 22, 2011

Muslim Demographics in America

Robert Hunt goes against the old drum that Muslims are taking over America. And he’s absolutely right: It ain’t gonna happen–not in America, nor in Europe. Stop beating the drum. Stop fearing an Islamic invasion. Reach out in love instead.

Read more →
May 2, 2011

Investigating Global Religious Dynamics of Christians and Muslims

Comparing and analyzing the growth rates of Christianity and Islam globally and for each of the six continents.

Read more →
April 29, 2011

LinkJournal: Europe and the Burqa 2011

4/29 NYT: Belgium: Parliament Passes Burqa Ban. The lower house backed the law overwhelmingly; it must pass the senate. 4/25 Eurasia Review: France’s Burqa Ban: French Secularism Or Colonial Mindset? Questioning whether banning the burqa (worn by fewer than 2,000 of the 5 million Muslims in France) is to reimpose republican values or seek political gain. 4/21 CSM: Letter to the Editor from French Ambassador. A response to a commentary piece about France’s new law banning the burqa and comparing it to the Holocaust. 4/21 NPR: France’s Burqa Ban Adds To Anti-Muslim Climate. How Muslims and French feel about the [...]

Read more →
April 20, 2011

Survey of policies on Muslim scarves and veils in Europe

Another important Factbox via Reuters: France’s ban on full face veils, a first in Europe, went into force on Monday, making anyone wearing the Muslim niqab or burqa in public liable to a fine of 150 euros ($216) or lessons in French citizenship. This article contains a summary of policies in various European countries on the Muslim veil. See also: CSM Opinion from one Muslim: France’s burqa ban: A brave step that we Muslims should welcome

Read more →
January 10, 2011

Need volunteers to help with transcription for the strategic Fruitful Practices Initiative

An international mission research team is seeking volunteers to transcribe tapes from interviews with field workers. Volunteers for this project are asked to commit to transcribe at least 10 hours of taped interviews over the next 18 months (more would be appreciated). If you would like to find out more about this project, please contact Daniel Hoskins at 870-834-4453 or dhoskins@fruitfulpractice.org. Although I can’t say much more than that, please know that this is a rather strategic initiative for work among the unreached.

Read more →
January 7, 2011

Egypt’s Muslims attend Coptic Christmas mass as “human shields”

What a wonderfully heartwarming set of articles, at least to me: Egypt’s Muslims attend Coptic Christmas mass, serving as “human shields” (read this article, it’s the one that made my eyes water, from Ahram Online) An Egyptian Blogger’s Account of a vigil in Cairo (NYT) Egyptian Muslims act as “human shields” for Coptic Christmas mass (Washington Post) Egypt’s Muslims support Coptic Christians on religious holiday (CNN)

Read more →
September 20, 2010

2010 Podcast No. 5: Fouad Masri and the Crescent Project

Today I talked with Fouad Masri of The Crescent Project. He was born and raised in the Middle East, but after he came to faith in Christ his entire outlook changed. Today his ministry helps to build bridges between Christians and Muslims: his main passion is helping Christians to reach out and love their Muslim neighbors. In this interview you’ll hear a bit about his life story, how the Crescent Project works in America, and how you can be part.

Read more →
September 17, 2010

2010 Podcast No. 4: Greg Livingstone: “Little Sowing, Little Reaping.”

Today’s interview is with Greg Livingstone, who is passionate about reaching Muslims. Greg tells the story of how he was called to Muslims at an all night prayer event (“what in the world do you have to pray for that takes all night?”), and goes on to share some powerful thoughts about reaching the Muslim world (“little sowing means little reaping”–among many others), insider movements, and the importance of praying less about where you should go and more about who you should go with. Greg was with Operation Mobilization for many years, eventually founded Frontiers, and today still works with [...]

Read more →
September 15, 2010

Evangelists Say Muslims Coming to Christ at Historic Rate

via Charisma Magazine: several stories coming out of Iran recounting the ministries of Yeghnazar, Father Zakaria, and dreams and visions of Jesus.

Read more →
September 14, 2010

Justice Stephen Breyer: Is Burning Koran ‘Shouting Fire In A Crowded Theater?’ – George Stephanopoulos’ Bottom Line

via George Stephanopoulos’ Bottom Line. One man’s action could lead to a situation where freedoms are reduced because they use them irresponsibly. This is an area to walk very carefully in. There is a line between protest and libel and encitement to violence. On the other hand, I really don’t fear these kinds of things too much. Why? Because the Fruit of the Spirit is… [list the 9.] “And against such there is no law.” Hard to make a law against loving your Muslim neighbors as you love yourself, or turning the other cheek, or bringing a cup of cold water [...]

Read more →

← Previous Entries