A court in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced a man to life imprisonment for forcing a woman to convert to Islam and marry him under false pretenses. The verdict, based on the state’s new anti-conversion law, marks the first life sentence awarded under the amended legislation.
Amsterdam’s Fatih Mosque, a former church transformed into a mosque, is now a key participant in the ‘Largest Museum of the Netherlands’ initiative. This program, spearheaded by the Catharijneconvent National Museum, aims to showcase diverse religious sites across the Netherlands and foster interfaith dialogue. The mosque welcomes visitors with multilingual materials and offers a unique glimpse into Islamic culture within a Dutch setting.
A Hindu religious leader, Ramgiri Maharaj, has been charged in Maharashtra’s Thane district for allegedly making offensive comments against Prophet Mohammad and Islam during a religious event. The video of his remarks went viral, prompting police to file a case against him.
Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, holds immense significance for Muslims worldwide. This month marks the beginning of a new year and is considered sacred, particularly for the commemoration of Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram. This article delves into the historical context and importance of Muharram, focusing on the tragic events of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
A newly discovered Paleo-Arabic inscription in Saudi Arabia, possibly carved by a companion of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, is shedding light on the early days of Islam. Researchers believe the inscription, found near an abandoned mosque in Taif, was created by Hanzalah bin Abi ʿĀmir, a prominent figure in early Islamic literature. The inscription, dating back to the late sixth or early seventh century, provides a rare glimpse into the pre-Islamic Hijaz and the religious landscape before Islam’s rise.
Eid ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is a significant Islamic festival celebrated worldwide. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isma’il, as an act of obedience to God. This festival emphasizes the values of faith, sacrifice, charity, and community unity among Muslims.
Over 1.5 million Muslim pilgrims from around the world have gathered in and around Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, with expectations of surpassing 2 million this year. The pilgrimage commences in Mina, followed by a daylong vigil on Mount Arafat, where Prophet Muhammad delivered his Farewell Sermon. Pilgrims will then move to Muzdalifa and return to Mina for three days to symbolically stone pillars representing the devil. The Hajj culminates with a final circumambulation in Mecca, known as Farewell Tawaf. Despite the ongoing war in Gaza, Palestinian pilgrims traveled to Mecca on direct flights from Damascus, marking a thaw in relations between Saudi Arabia and Syria.
Eid ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, is a significant occasion celebrated by Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham in the Judeo-Christian tradition) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God’s command. However, God provided a ram to sacrifice instead, symbolizing Ibrahim’s unwavering faith and obedience. Celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Eid ul-Adha marks the end of Hajj and is associated with prayers, feasting, and the exchange of gifts.
Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims have arrived in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which begins today, Friday. Pilgrims will perform circumambulation around the Kaaba before moving to Mina, a desert plain outside the city, on the first day of Hajj. The number of pilgrims is expected to grow in the coming months, with hundreds of thousands of Saudis and other residents joining the pilgrimage after it officially begins on Friday.
Saudi Arabia has declared the start of Dhul Hijjah on Thursday, commencing the countdown to the much-anticipated Eid Al-Adha celebration. The first day of Eid Al-Adha is expected to fall on June 16, with most Gulf countries aligning with Saudi Arabia’s moon sighting. However, Oman has announced a different stance, indicating the celebration will take place on June 17.
