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December 2, 2008 3:50:22 AM CST

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Ramadan

Ramadan news stories

13 Stories

Holy Season for Two Faiths Intersects in Jerusalem

Jewish new year coincides with Muslim month of Ramadan in city special to both

New York Times New York Times Sep 29, 08 11:42 AM CDT
(Newser) - This year’s intersection of Jewish new-year holidays and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan—a rarity due to Islam’s changing calendar—is felt particularly keenly in Jerusalem, a sacred city for both religions, Ethan Bronner notes in the New York Times . Night has become “a kind of monotheistic traffic jam,” with devout Jews praying at the Western Wall while Muslims break their fast. More »

More about:  Israel • Islam • Jews • Jerusalem • holiday • Muslims • Judaism • Islamic Sharia law • Ramadan • Dome of the Rock • lunar new year • Western Wall

 38 Iraqis Killed 
 in Bloodiest 
 Ramadan Day 

Bombs wreak havoc in central Baghdad

CNN CNN Sep 29, 08 3:59 AM CDT
(Newser) - At least 20 people were killed yesterday when a suicide bomber detonated a vest of explosives amid a crowd of onlookers that had gathered after an earlier car bomb exploded in central Baghdad. A total of 34 people were killed in attacks in Baghdad and another four died in Dayala Province, reports CNN. It was the bloodiest day in the Iraqi capital during this year's holy month of Ramadan.   More »

More about:  Baghdad • car bomb • Ramadan

Saudi Judge:
Kill Offending Broadcasters

Sheik urges fatwa on owners of channels
with 'corrupt beliefs'

Guardian (UK) Guardian (UK) Sep 12, 08 4:45 PM CDT
(Newser) - The highest judge in Saudi Arabia says “it is permissible” to murder owners of satellite TV networks that broadcast questionable material during Ramadan, the Guardian reports. When a caller to his radio show asked about channels featuring “bad programs,” Sheik Saleh al-Lihedan responded, “What does the owner of these networks think, when he provides seduction, obscenity and vulgarity? … Certainly it’s permissible to kill them.” More »

More about:  Saudi Arabia • censorship • Islamic Sharia law • Ramadan • satellite TV • fatwa

Ancient Ritual Blends Faith, Technology

Muslim holy month starts on sighting of crescent moon

Washington Post Washington Post Aug 31, 08 6:29 PM CDT
(Newser) - Telescopes are tilted skyward throughout the Muslim world tonight, hunting for the first glimpse of a crescent moon that signals the start of Ramadan. In an age-old mix of science and religion, astronomers and clerics gather each year to monitor the moon and announce the beginning of Islam’s holiest month. The 4 weeks of fasting and celebration will likely begin tomorrow, the Washington Post reports. More »

More about:  Islam • astronomy • Muslims • moon • Ramadan • religious rites • Prophet Muhammed

Islamic Rituals Face a
Celestial Test

Scholars send astronaut aloft with guide to following Koran in orbit

Guardian (UK) Guardian (UK) Oct 10, 07 1:44 PM CDT
(Newser) - He wasn’t the first Muslim in space, but Malaysia's Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor will be the first to follow customized guidelines for religious observance in orbit, the Guardian reports. Praying toward Mecca and fasting between sunrise and sunset seemed impossible until scholars spent a year bringing the challenges down to Earth ahead of Shukor's blastoff today for the International Space Station. More »

More about:  Islam • Ramadan • Mecca • spaceflight

US, Iraqi Death Tolls Plummet

September stats are lowest since summer of 2006

Associated Press Associated Press Oct 1, 07 3:11 PM CDT
(Newser) - The death tolls among US soldiers and Iraqi civilians both fell significantly in September, hitting their lowest levels since the summer of 2006. Civilian deaths dropped 50% to 988, compared to 1,975 in August. The American death toll in September was 64, the fewest casualties since July 2006, the AP reports. More »

More about:  Iraq • al-Qaeda • Baghdad • violence • death toll • Ramadan

Iraqi al-Qaeda Group to Track Down 'Traitors'

Islamic State of Iraq vows to kill those
who align with US

Associated Press Associated Press Sep 15, 07 11:31 AM CDT
(Newser) - Thursday's assassination of a Sunni tribal leader was the first in what an al-Qaeda front group warns will be the fate of all who cooperate with the US, reports the AP. The Islamic State of Iraq announced on Islamist websites that "special security committees" will track down "traitors" who support the Shiite-led government. More »

More about:  Iraq • al-Qaeda • insurgents • assassination • Sunni • Anbar • Ramadan • Islamic State of Iraq • Abdul Sattar Abu Risha

US Freeing
Iraqi Detainees
for Ramadan

50-80 Sunnis and Shiites will be released each day of holy month

Reuters Reuters Sep 13, 07 3:37 PM CDT
(Newser) - As Ramadan began, the US military today began freeing some of its 23,000 Iraqi detainees—between 50 and 80 will be released each day of Islam's holy month, Reuters reports. Military brass stress that Sunnis and Shiites alike will be considered for release. "This will be a completely non-sectarian, non-political process," said one US general. More »

More about:  Iraq • United States • Shiite • Sunni • detainee • Ramadan • Tariq al Hashemi

Fatah, Hamas Unite for Ramadan

Despite shared start date for holy month, tensions still run high

Associated Press Associated Press Sep 13, 07 2:12 PM CDT
(Newser) - Ramadan this year will mark a brief expression of unity for the rival Palestinian governments of Hamas, in Gaza, and Fatah, in the West Bank. The holy month begins today or tomorrow—and deciding the date can cause tension between factions across the Muslim world, the AP reports. And despite the agreement this year, Hamas-Fatah tension remains high. More »

More about:  Hamas • Palestine • Mahmoud Abbas • Gaza • West Bank • Fatah • Palestinian civil war • Ramadan • Ismail Haniyeh

45 Taliban Die in Battle on Ramadan Eve

Month-long surge in fighting in Afghanistan expected to continue

Associated Press Associated Press Sep 13, 07 12:43 PM CDT
(Newser) - Forty-five Taliban insurgents were killed in a clash with coalition and Afghan troops in Afghanistan today. The Taliban attacked a joint patrol; the Afghan forces responded, with help from coalition airstrikes. The skirmish comes at the beginning of Islam's holy month of Ramadan More »

More about:  Afghanistan • Taliban • insurgents • airstrike • Ramadan • Afghan Army

Key US Ally in Iraq Killed in Bomb Attack

Sheik opposed Al-Qaeda, helped stabilize Anbar province

Reuters Reuters Sep 13, 07 11:25 AM CDT
(Newser) - A key US ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda was killed in a bomb attack today in Ramadi. Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, the most influential of the Sunni leaders helping American and Iraqi forces fight the terror network, met with President Bush 2 weeks ago during his visit to Anbar province, once one of the country’s most dangerous regions. More »

More about:  Iraq • Iraq war • al-Qaeda • Sunni • Anbar • Ramadan • alliance • Abdul Sattar Abu Risha • Ramadi

Israel Delays Prisoner Release

Negotiations dragged out

Ynetnews.com Ynetnews.com Sep 10, 07 7:37 AM CDT
(Newser) - Israel is unlikely to release up to 100 prisoners scheduled for release, Yediot Aharonot reports. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are in meetings today in advance of a summit in Washington. Israel normally releases some non-violent prisoners as a goodwill gesture at Ramadan, but officials say the release is tenuous this year. More »

More about:  Israel • Palestine • Ehud Olmert • Mahmoud Abbas • Fatah • Jerusalem • Ramadan

Petraeus: Give Me Six More Months

Wants Congress to postpone decision on bringing troops home

New York Times New York Times Sep 10, 07 4:36 AM CDT
(Newser) - The commander of US forces in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, wants to postpone a decision to significantly reduce troop levels there for another six months, reports the New York Times . The general, who is scheduled to begin testimony before Congress today, has told the president he is willing to withdraw one brigade—4,000 soldiers—as early as December, the Times reports. More »

More about:  Iraq • Congress • Pentagon • David Petraeus • insurgents • troop withdrawal • Iraq government • Ramadan

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