Turkey’s government is showing that an “Islamist” party can become a force for democracy and progress, challenging so many of our usual assumptions about Muslims, terrorism and the Middle East.
Islamic law
What if we fail in Afghanistan?
It’s time to start asking: what happens if the US and its allies can’t prevent the Afghani Taliban from taking control of the country and restoring a second Islamic Emirate? Steve Coll explores some hypothetical outcomes (spoiler: none of them are good).
Letter from...: Aceh: the only Jew in the village
This Indonesian province takes its Islam very seriously. The provincial parliament of Aceh recently passed a criminal bylaw that supported the death penalty, stoning and flogging for homosexual acts and adultery.
Malaysia’s image takes a hit over caning
32-year-old Malaysian mother of two Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno is soon set to face six lashes with a cane for drinking beer in a bar, as mandated by the country’s Islamic laws. The case calls Malaysia’s reputation as “moderate” Muslims into question, says the WSJ.
