Muslim World
Islamic Finance Contracts Explained: Murabaha, Ijara, Mudaraba, Musharaka and More
An Islamic bank does not lend money and charge interest — it earns through contracts of trade, leasing, or partnership. Here are the main Islamic finance contracts — murabaha, ijara, mudaraba, musharaka, salam, istisna, and qard hasan — explained in plain language.
Islamophobia ramps up before Texas midterms as Muslims push to vote
Texas lawmakers' 'Sharia-free Texas' caucus has drawn 38 members in the 150-seat chamber and the congressional 'Sharia-Free America' caucus 68; Governor Greg Abbott has vowed to ban Sharia while Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued to dissolve CAIR. Muslims are under 2% of the Texas population.
Sunni and Shia Islam: Their Differences, Historical Origins, and Schools
Islam's two main branches — Sunni and Shia — grew out of the question of who should lead the community after the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Here are the history of that split, the main theological and legal differences, the schools, the rough global distribution, and the situation in Uzbekistan and Central Asia — set out neutrally and respectfully.
Qatar-mediated US–Iran talks continue in Doha: what we know
Iranian negotiators met Qatari mediators in Doha for a third day; Trump said the talks were "going fine," while Iran favoured diplomacy but said it was ready to respond to any attack.
Uzbekistan adopts Islamic finance roadmap: 2026–2030, 39 measures
The Central Bank approved a roadmap of five areas and 39 measures; 11 microfinance organizations already offer interest-free services, and Open Bank received the first Islamic banking licence.
Islam Makhachev: 'My next fight is one of the last in my career'
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev spoke on October 31 about his retirement plan. His record, his last fight and his next opponent — verified facts only.
How Waqf (an Islamic Endowment) Works: An Explainer
A waqf is a way of dedicating property permanently to a charitable or public purpose: the underlying asset is preserved while the income it generates flows continuously to a good cause. Here is how it is set up, its main types, its historical role, and why it matters for Uzbekistan.
'Muslims burned five churches in France' is fake news, fact-checkers find
A France 24 Observers and Observatory for Religious Heritage check: no church fire during the October 17 unrest was linked to Muslims. Here is how the false claim spread, who spread it and what actually happened — verified facts only.
Bangsamoro elects its first chief minister: former rebel Abdulraof Macacua takes office
The parliament of the Philippines' autonomous Muslim-majority region chose Abdulraof Macacua as its first elected chief minister on October 30. Who he is, the vote figures and what it means — verified facts only.
Saudi ambassador compares the Houthis to ISIS, calls for a broad coalition
Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the US, Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, compared the Houthis to ISIS in a New York Times op-ed published after a deadly attack on Riyadh's airport.
IISS: Gulf states must rethink their trillion-dollar defence after the war
According to the IISS Strategic Dossier "The Gulf at War," the 2026 war exposed the weakness of the Gulf states' US-weapons-reliant defence.
France: Trappes shooting suspect admits he chose victims by religion and race
A gun attack on October 23, 2026 in Trappes and La Verrière near Paris killed one person and wounded seven. According to the anti-terrorism prosecutor, the 39-year-old suspect admitted deliberately targeting people who appeared Muslim or of African origin.
Trappes attack suspect admits deliberately targeting Muslims and Africans — French prosecutor
The suspect in a shooting near Paris that killed one person had initially denied a racist motive; he now admits targeting people who appeared Muslim, African or North African, and that the attack was premeditated.
US: Donald Trump escalates attacks on Abdul El-Sayed, a Muslim candidate for the Senate
If Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed wins, he would become the first Muslim US senator. President Donald Trump called him a "jihadist"; the candidate dismissed the remarks as a "distraction."
How the Hijri (lunar) calendar works: how months are set and why Ramadan shifts each year
The Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar of 12 months based on the Moon's motion. This reference explains its structure, why Ramadan and the two Eids move about 11 days earlier each year, how a month begins (crescent sighting vs. calculation), the origin of the Hijri era, and the key religious dates, on the basis of sources.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian: 'Muslims should unite rather than split into two camps'
In an Al Jazeera interview, Iran's president spoke about Muslim unity, his readiness to join a 'Mecca alliance', and regional security.
Iran says it shot down a US drone over the Strait of Hormuz; the claim is unverified
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on 20 October they intercepted a US MQ-9 drone over the Strait of Hormuz — its claimed 54th US drone. The US did not confirm it; CENTCOM says the strait stays open to trade.
UAE re-enters the Yemen war: Saudi Arabia provides air cover as Houthis strike Riyadh
The United Arab Emirates has agreed to resume funding southern anti-Houthi forces in exchange for Saudi air support. Fighting in Yemen has intensified since the 2022 UN ceasefire collapsed in July.
Uzbekistan calls for peaceful conflict resolution at the OIC session in Baghdad
The 52nd session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers was held in Baghdad; Uzbekistan's delegation was led by First Deputy Foreign Minister Bakhromjon Aloyev.
How takaful (Islamic insurance) works: tabarru', wakala and mudarabah models
Takaful is a Shariah-compliant insurance system in which participants contribute to a common fund with the intention of mutual help (tabarru'). It is considered free of the riba (interest), gharar (excessive uncertainty) and maysir (gambling) elements that scholars identify in conventional commercial insurance. This explainer sets out what takaful is, the models it runs on, and its history, on the basis of sources.
Houthi attacks put Pakistan in a tough choice between Saudi Arabia and Iran
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia are testing Pakistan's ability to keep its security partnership with Riyadh while preserving ties with neighbouring Iran. Analysts warn Islamabad's military involvement could sharpen tensions with Tehran.
What halal certification is and how to verify halal food in the US: marks, agencies and zabiha
In the United States halal food is certified not by the government but by private, independent certification bodies. This explainer sets out the concepts of halal and zabiha, the main US certifiers (IFANCA, ISA, AHF, HMS), how to check that a product is genuinely halal, and the halal system introduced in Uzbekistan — as sourced facts only.
Uzbekistan plans to restore monuments linked to Uzbek scholars in Afghanistan
A delegation of Uzbekistan's Agency of Cultural Heritage studied historical sites linked to Uzbek scholars and thinkers in four Afghan provinces — Balkh, Takhar, Sar-e Pul and Faryab. A cooperation memorandum with Afghanistan's Ministry of Information and Culture is planned.
Uzbekistan presents its Center of Islamic Civilization at UNESCO
On 7 October at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Uzbekistan put forward an international initiative to preserve Central Asia's scientific and spiritual heritage. More than 300 scholars and diplomats took part.
Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry condemns the attack on Riyadh airport
On 10 October, Yemen's Houthis struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with a missile; 12 people were killed and more than 300 injured. Uzbekistan called the attack a serious violation of international law.
How to perform wudu, ghusl, and tayammum: the basics of ritual purity
Ritual purity (tahara) is a condition for prayer and many acts of worship. This reference explains, simply and chiefly according to the Hanafi school and on the basis of the Qur'an and reliable sources: the obligatory and recommended acts of wudu (ablution) and what invalidates it; when ghusl (full washing) becomes obligatory and its essentials; and tayammum, performed with clean earth when water is unavailable. This is general religious information; for specific questions consult a local imam or scholar.
Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of striking Sanaa airport; coalition says it destroyed 136 targets
Houthi-run media claimed Saudi Arabia carried out 4 strikes on Sanaa airport; the Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed 136 Houthi targets. The claim and the official statement are presented separately.
How the five daily prayers work: times, rakʼats and the basic rules
Prayer (salah) is one of the five pillars of Islam and is performed five times a day: Fajr (dawn), Zuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset) and Isha (evening). Below, the number of rakʼats for each (in the common Hanafi reckoning the obligatory counts are 2 Fajr, 4 Zuhr, 4 Asr, 3 Maghrib, 4 Isha), the preconditions of prayer (ablution, qibla, covering, time) and the core components of a rakʼat (takbir, standing and Al-Fatiha, bowing, prostration, sitting/tashahhud, the concluding salam) are described as a reference. This describes the mainstream Sunni/Hanafi practice; the information is based on reputable sources.
Iran steps up hijab enforcement as more women reject the rules
In August 2026 CNN reported that, as more Iranian women go unveiled, authorities are turning to new measures — from closing cafés to technological surveillance. Enforcement of the "Hijab and Chastity" law is suspended, but existing laws remain in force.
Uzbekistan's Religious Revival: The Return of Mosques, the Hajj and Religious Education (1989–1992)
A fact-based article on the revival of Islam in Uzbekistan during the late Soviet and early independence years — roughly 1988–1992: the reopening of mosques, the resumption of the Hajj, the revival of religious education and the reorganization of the muftiate. Verified facts only; contested figures are given with attribution.
The 'Mecca Pact' is activated for the first time: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye against the Houthis
The three-nation collective-defence pact signed on 7 August was activated in Riyadh on 5 October. Meanwhile, a Saudi-led coalition has launched an operation in Yemen.
Palestinian Education Ministry: more than 800 teachers killed in Gaza since the war began
Ahead of World Teachers' Day, the ministry says more than 800 teachers and education staff have been killed since October 7, 2023, over 3,300 injured and more than 170 detained. The figures are the ministry's count; Israel disputes some tallies.
How the Qurbani (Eid al-Adha sacrifice) is performed: rules, conditions and meaning
Qurbani (Arabic: udhiyah) is the sacrifice of a designated animal for the sake of God on the days of Eid al-Adha. It commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim. Below, when and on whom it is due, which animals qualify, how the meat is distributed and the differences between the schools are explained using broadly accepted sources, primarily the Hanafi school.
How fasting in Ramadan works: rules, exemptions and fidya
Fasting in Ramadan (sawm) is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is obligatory for able, adult Muslims. It runs from true dawn (subh) to sunset (maghrib). Below, the rules of the fast, who is exempt, and the make-up fast (qada), compensation (fidya) and expiation (kaffara) are explained using broadly accepted sources, primarily the Hanafi school. Where the legal schools differ, this is noted.
Uzbekistan's Declaration of State Sovereignty (20 June 1990)
On 20 June 1990 the Supreme Soviet of the Uzbek SSR adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty — not independence itself, but a decisive step toward it. The declaration proclaimed the primacy of republican law. This piece sets out its content, the context of the Soviet “parade of sovereignties” (1988–1990), the election of Islam Karimov as the first president on 24 March 1990, the 1989 language law, and the road to full independence on 31 August 1991.
Pakistan Strikes 10 Sites Inside Afghanistan; At Least 4 Civilians Killed
After strikes hit Kandahar, Paktia and Khost provinces, cross-border gunfire continued along the frontier.
The Basics of Islamic (Halal) Finance: What Riba Is and How the System Works
A facts-based explainer on the prohibition of riba (interest), the core principles and instruments of Islamic finance — murabaha, ijara, mudaraba, sukuk — its global scale, and Uzbekistan's steps in this direction.
Mahmoud Khalil Files Suit Against Columbia University, Alleging Failure to Protect Students From Doxxing
The complaint was filed in federal court in Manhattan on Sept. 14. It accuses the university of failing to protect students harassed because of their Arab or Muslim background.
Houthis Seize Two More Strategic Islands in the Red Sea; Saudi Arabia Carries Out Strikes
The Greater and Lesser Hanish islands have been brought under control. Roughly 12 percent of world trade passes through the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
Pezeshkian at the BRICS Summit: “Unilateral Sanctions Directly Affect Food Security”
At the summit in New Delhi, Iran's president called for expanding trade in national currencies and said international mechanisms need reform.
25 Years Since 9/11: The New York Ceremony and the Debate Over Muslim Americans
Four former presidents attended the memorial service at Ground Zero. The presence of Zohran Mamdani, the city's first Muslim mayor, drew debate of its own.
Dispute Over Iran Sanctions at the UN Security Council: An 11-to-2 Vote
The Council discussed the work of the 1737 Committee on Sept. 10. Russia and China voted against the agenda. On Sept. 8, Britain introduced legislation imposing new sectoral restrictions on Iran.
Tensions Around the Strait of Hormuz: U.S. Destroys Three Tankers, Iran Promises a “Harsher Response”
On Sept. 5, U.S. forces struck oil tankers linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard. Tehran warned it would step up attacks on U.S. warships.
The Iran War Reignites in September: U.S. Strikes and Attacks on Bases in Kuwait and the UAE
The U.S. carried out new strikes on Iranian territory on Sept. 1; four people were killed at a wedding in Sirik, Hormozgan. On Sept. 3, the Iranian army attacked military bases in Kuwait and the UAE. The SCO summit condemned the strikes.