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Articles by subject: Islam

No more lies (by Alom Shaha, May/June 2012 ): In his powerful new book, The Young Atheist’s Handbook, Alom Shaha challenges young Muslims to be honest if they don’t believe, and calls on organised atheism to broaden its appeal beyond an intellectual elite. Here he explains why he wrote it
Q&A: Shazia Mirza (by Editorial Staff, May/June 2012 ): Taboo-busting comic Shazia Mirza has combined an international reputation for close-to-the-bone gags with a belief in Islam. But now she faces her greatest challenge as she submits to New Humanist’s very own inquisition
A time to sow (by Paul Sims, January/February 2012 ): After a year of revolts in the Arab world, is the region reaping the rewards of freedom? Paul Sims talks to veteran Middle East watcher Fuad Nahdi
The last Crusade (by Kenan Malik, November/December 2011 ): The claim that Christianity provides the bedrock of Western culture might serve the interests of extremists, but it is a betrayal of a far more complex history, argues Kenan Malik
Crossing the line? (by Paul Sims, November/December 2011 ): Did the Met’s anti-terrorism unit end up in bed with Muslim extremism? Paul Sims meets Robert Lambert, the ex-Special Branch man fighting accusations of collusion
The rise of the female suicide bomber (by Mia Bloom, November/December 2011 ): Al-Qaeda leaders are increasingly in favour of using women in terrorist attacks, reports Mia Bloom
Aftershock: 9/11 ten years on (by Stephen Howe, September/October 2011 ): A decade after the destruction of the Twin Towers, the greatest change to the world has been the reinvention of Islam, says Stephen Howe
Egypt's three revolutionary fronts (by Austin Mackell, September/October 2011 ): As Egypt prepares for post-Mubarak elections, could the activists of Tahrir Square be in danger of losing out to more reactionary forces? asks Austin Mackell
Demonising Muslims (by Paul Sims, July/August 2011 ): When does criticism of religion cross the line into racism? Paul Sims investigates
A Fatah-Hamas truce is good for Palestinians (by Sami Zubaida, July/August 2011 ): The Arab Spring is aiding political reconciliation in Gaza, explains Sami Zubaida
No ifs, no buts (by Padraig Reidy, May/June 2011 ): Qur’an burning is senseless, but we shouldn't be afraid to speak up for free speech, says Padraig Reidy
Long road to renewal (by Jim Al-Khalili, May/June 2011 ): The Islamic world needs to recover its scientific spirit, says Jim Al-Khalili
Book review: Pakistan: A Hard Country by Anatol Lieven (by Stephen Howe, May/June 2011 ): Stephen Howe discovers the best book to be written on modern Pakistan
Is it racist to criticise religion? (by Paul Sims, March/April 2011 ): As the Conservative chair Sayeeda Warsi suggests Islamophobia has become acceptable, Paul Sims assesses the boundaries of free speech
Faultline (by Eliza Griswold, March/April 2011 ): From the Philippines to West Africa the tenth parallel, the line of latitude 700 miles north of the equator, is a geographical frontline between Christianity and Islam. Eliza Griswold has researched the resulting conflict for seven years. This is her dispatch from Nigeria
Bad Faith Awards 2010 (by Paul Sims, January/February 2011 ): Who gave the silliest sermon or pious pronouncement of the past year? Thousands of you voted and the results are in
It's the faith, stupid! (by Caspar Melville, January/February 2011 ): Social scientist Olivier Roy has been tracking religion for three decades. Caspar Melville talks to him about his new book Holy Ignorance
Faith in schools? (by Jim Mulligan, November/December 2010 ): Thanks largely to immigration, religious belief is making a comeback in our schools. Should we be concerned? Jim Mulligan visits Ed Miliband’s old school to find out.
Should Britain ban the burqa? (by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Kenan Malik, September/October 2010 ): Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and Kenan Malik debate whether the UK should follow the French
Fun-loving Muslims (by Theodore Dalrymple, July/August 2010 ): Islamic dating sites reveal Muslims to be just as shallow as everyone else, says Theodore Dalrymple
Book review: Hamas by Beverley Milton-Edwards and Stephen Farrell & Hizbullah by Naim Qassem (by Stephen Howe, May/June 2010 ): When it comes to the two big Islamic political parties in the Middle East, should we fight or engage, asks Stephen Howe
Our own worst enemy (by Sherry Jones, November/December 2009 ): Self-censorship is handing victory to the extremists, says Sherry Jones
The Arabs: A History by Eugene Rogan (by Stephen Howe, November/December 2009 ): Stephen Howe on a new history of the Arabs
Jihad jokes (by Roger Davidson, November/December 2009 ): Who dares make fun of Islam? Canadian television, apparently. Roger Davidson tunes in
The Fall of the Imam by Nawal El Saadawi (by Philip Womack, July/August 2009 ): Philip Womack praises a formidable Egyptian novel
Mills and minarets (by Paul Sims, May/June 2009 ): The proving grounds for the government's policy to prevent home-grown Jihad are the industrial towns of the North. Paul Sims investigates
Shadow boxing (by Kenan Malik, May/June 2009 ): Cultural relativism and Western chauvinism share one basic principle, claims Kenan Malik: a loss of faith in universal values
From Fatwa to Jihad by Kenan Malik (by Lindsay Johns, March/April 2009 ): Lindsay Johns is impressed by Kenan Malik's take on Rushdie and race
Before the dawn (by Nasrin Alavi, January/February 2009 ): Thirty years after the revolution consumerism and political apathy dominate Iran. But a new generation may change that, says Nasrin Alavi
Muslim metal (by Mark LeVine, January/February 2009 ): As Egyptians bravely protest their government, we thought it a good moment to represent this piece about the Muslim metal scene which has incubated resistance. Across the Islamic world young people are flocking to the sounds of hardcore rock and death metal. Mark LeVine reports from Cairo
Deep trouble (by Kerem Oktem, November/December 2008 ): Will Turkey take the Yugoslavia option? Kerem Oktem on a country caught between Islam and ultra-nationalism
Beyond Terror and Martyrdom: The Future of the Middle East by Gilles Kepel (by Michael Binyon, November/December 2008 ): Michael Binyon is impressed by Gilles Kepel's analysis of Jihad
Diary: Heard the one about the ex-Muslim? (by Nick Doody, September/October 2008 ): It's fine to laugh at religion, just don't pander to the knee-jerk bigots, says Nick Doody
Forked tongue (by Doug Ireland, May/June 2008 ): Doug Ireland examines the reputation of Tariq Ramadan, the man widely hailed as the saviour of Islam
Drambuie in Damascus (by Winston Fletcher, May/June 2008 ): Forget the booze cruise, Winston Fletcher finds that, with a little patience, you can get sozzled in Syria
Western front (by Peter C Kjaergaard, May/June 2008 ): While secularists sleep well-funded creationists are on the march in Europe says Peter C Kjærgaard
Editorial: Backwards and forwards (by Caspar Melville, May/June 2008 ): With the decline of the old-style Christian Right, are US evangelicals growing up?
Forced to be free (by Joan W Scott, March/April 2008 ): France’s ban on headscarves was hailed as a victory for secularism. But, argues Joan W Scott, its political roots are more sinister
Fall out (by Dave Rich, January/February 2008 ): For many years the government has been in bed with the Islamists of the Muslim Council of Britain. But, finds Dave Rich, the tide is turning
Allah's ambassadors (by Edna Fernandes, November/December 2007 ): Edna Fernandes gains unique access to the ultra-orthodox Deoband madrassa in rural India
Global warning (by Tzvetan Todorov, November/December 2007 ): With cartoon controversies reverberating across the world Tzvetan Todorov, one of the world’s foremost philosophers, considers the after-effects of the Danish images
Campus crusades (by Ebenezer Obadare, November/December 2007 ): Ebenezer Obadare reports on the rise of Nigeria’s student zealots
Making Islam Democratic: Social Movements and the Post-Islamic Turn by Asef Bayat (by Sami Zubaida, September/October 2007 ): Sami Zubaida questions Islamic democracy
Napoleon in Egypt by Paul Strathern (by Michael Binyon, May/June 2007 ): In 1789 Napoleon set off to conquer the East. We're still living with the fallout, says Michael Binyon
Ban the Pope (by Fred Halliday, January/February 2007 ): Fred Halliday, who died on 25 April 2010, showed himself typically ahead of the curve in this article from 2007. The Vatican has power without accountability, an archaic structure and is launching an assault on secularism. Time to abolish it, says Fred Halliday
Who turned off the light? (by Abdelwahab Meddeb, January/February 2007 ): Abdelwahab Meddeb considers why radical thinking has failed to penetrate the Arab world
Walking the tightrope (by Ramin Jahanbegloo, September/October 2006 ): Ramin Jahanbegloo, one of Iran's pre-eminent intellectuals, was released on bail on August 30, after being held for more than four months in Tehrans notorious Evin prison. He is accused of fomenting a velvet revolution. Here he explains why he feels compelled to champion liberalism
Fear factor (by Ben Marshall, May/June 2006 ): Ben Marshall embraces his phobia
Continental rift (by Rosemary Bechler, March/April 2006 ): We first reported on Dyab Abou Jahjah, the controversial leader of Belgium's Arab European League, in July 2004. Since then French riots and the cartoon crisis have raised his profile. At a meeting in Rotterdam he debated with equally controversial Muslim advocate Tariq Ramadan. Rosemary Bechler was there
What's in a name? (by Editorial Staff, March/April 2006 ): Jihad Fakhreddine despairs at the strangling of Arab secularism
Gaza Taliban? (by Editorial Staff, January/February 2006 ): On the eve of the Palestinian elections in 2006, Aya Yasmina May asked what we can expect of Hamas
New Brotherhood (by Caspar Melville, September/October 2005 ): The recent London bombings focused attention on Britain's black Muslims. Caspar Melville meets some new converts
Left behind (by Nick Cohen, September/October 2005 ): Nick Cohen reflects on the book that changed his mind about Bush and Blair's war on terror
Champagne Islam (by Sami Zubaida, September/October 2005 ): Until recently, the Middle East enjoyed a culture of tolerance, sensuality and debate. Sami Zubaida celebrates its rich tradition
Death to Deviants (by Ramzi Isalam, March/April 2005 ): My escape from homophobic hell in Algeria, by Ramzi Isalam
Crescent among the stars (by Gilles Kepel, January/February 2005 ): Gilles Kepel asks how Turkey will change the face of Europe
Searching for secular Islam (by Ziauddin Sardar, September/October 2004 ): Ziauddin Sardar proposes new ways to separate religion and politics in the Muslim world
Editorial: L'Etat, c'est quoi? (by Frank Jordans, January/February 2004 ): Jacques Chirac certainly picks his fights
Hammer and Crescent (by Amanda Day, January/February 2004 ): A potential electoral force is emerging from the antiwar movement. But why is a supposedly progressive grouping making room for religious conservatives, asks Amanda Day?
Fighting Shadows (by Michael Binyon, Winter 2002 ): Michael Binyon on Islam's long path to modernity
Was it ever right? (by Hazhir Teimourian, Winter 2002 ): Hazhir Teimourian despairs of Islam
On Islamophobia-phobia (by Piers Benn, Summer 2002 ): Philosopher Piers Benn argues the case for questioning all religions
Stifled Steps: Islam and Education (by Azam Kamguian, Spring 2002 ): Azam Kamguian argues that progressive education is secular education and that Islamic education is predicated on sexual apartheid.
Islam and Intellectual Terrorism (by Ibn Warraq, Winter 2001 ): Turbans of the mind are disallowing and disavowing proper intellectual engagement with Islam.
Liberal Muslims? (by Marilyn Mason, Winter 2001 ): Does Islam allow for liberalism? Marilyn Mason considers the lives of liberal Muslims.
Islam and Armageddon (by Ibn al Rawandi, Winter 2001 ): What are the central tenets of Islam?
Islam and Sexual Apartheid (by Azar Majedi, Winter 2001 ): There can be no compromise on the universality of human rights. And cultural relativism both compromises women's rights and justifies sexual apartheid.
Book review: Reflections on the Revolution in Europe: Immigration, Islam and Europe by Christopher Caldwell (by Kenan Malik, Web Exclusive, July 2009): Caldwell’s argument is timely, powerful and wrong, says Kenan Malik
Iran's green future (by Kerem Oktem, Web Exclusive, November 2009): This week's protests are a sign of the uncontainable anger of the people says Kerem Oktem
Champions of free speech? (by Simon Garnett, Web Exclusive, January 2010): Writing in New Humanist, Sherry Jones says Serbs have embraced the Jewel of Medina because they know the value of free expression. But could the reasons be more profane? asks Simon Garnett
Why Faisal Shahzad bombed Times Square (by Pervez Hoodbhoy, Web Exclusive, May 2010): Blame Pakistan’s simmering anti-Americanism, says Pervez Hoodbhoy
Film review: Of Gods and Men (by Fred Rowson, Web Exclusive, January 2011): This depiction of the last days of seven monks murdered by extremists has been widely celebrated, but its questionable take on Christian devotion is ultimately dissatisfying, says Fred Rowson
“Dear God help me die standing” (by Nasrin Alavi, Web Exclusive, February 2011): As the wave of protest resurfaces in Iran, the desperate regime is setting Ninja thugs on the crowds and murdered activists are being claimed as state martyrs. Nasrin Alavi reports
Renovation not demolition (by Austin Mackell, Web Exclusive, June 2011): As Egypt looks ahead to elections, Austin Mackell meets a representative of one of the Islamic parties vying for control
Freethinking in the Arab Spring (by Max Opray, Web Exclusive, July 2011): Expressing irreligious views can be dangerous in the Middle East but, for the region's largest group of online rationalists, the Egyptian revolution is a cause for optimism, finds Max Opray
A theocracy on the Nile? (by Austin Mackell, Web Exclusive, January 2012): The triumph of the Islamist parties in Egypt's elections has raised fears of a religious takeover of the state. Austin Mackell reports from Cairo