News and Analysis (7/14/15)

A nuclear deal with Iran has been reached and will now be voted on in Congress. The deal has stirred up heavy opposition from the Israeli government and Christian Zionist in Congress:

• Iran Deal Reached, Obama Hails Step Toward ‘More Hopeful World’ (Reuters)

The reason Scotland’s Muslims are less likely to support extremism than their English counterparts seems to be because they are not as marginalized by the government:

• Good Community Relations Mean Young Muslims in Scotland Eschew Extremism (Guardian)

… Meanwhile, Islamophobic laws along with deep socioeconomic problems within the Muslim community in Tajikistan leads to fear of radicalization:

• New Russian Migration Law Boosts Islamic State Recruitment in Tajikistan (Guardian/Washington Post)

A 23-year-old man with a history of mental problems has been arrested after FBI equipped him with weapons, bringing one’s thoughts to Trevor Aaronson’s TEDtalk on how the FBI is “creating terrorists”:

• Boston Police Captain’s Estranged Son Reportedly Arrested in FBI Terror Sting (Huffington Post)

A video shows that the teen who was shot dead by Israeli military on July 3 was not posing a threat. This leads Israeli Human Rights group B’Tselem to question Israel’s ability to investigate its own military:

• Video in Death of Palestinian Seems to Rebut Israeli Military (New York Times)

The Mecca live story on Snapchat generates positive reactions – “I’m ecstatic that Snapchat showcased this special and momentous occasion, because for the vast majority of the world’s Muslims, THIS is what Islam is all about!” – says Muslim scholar Yasir Qadhi:

• Snapchat Honors Muslim Holiday With Live Video Feed (Huffington Post)
• Mecca Worshippers Stream Their Stories Live on Snapchat (Guardian)

Muslim women are “calling out” Muslim events with no women represented. “One of the most egregious and hilarious examples recently was a fundraiser for a social service organization to — wait for it — empower women!”:

• Who “Forgot” to Include Them — and It’s a Conversation that Needs to Be Had (Bustle)

“Plans by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a U.S.-based Jewish organization, to open a museum adjacent to the site also angered Palestinians, who said the project violated its stated mission of promoting tolerance”:

• Jerusalem To Turn Medieval Palestinian Muslim Cemetery Into Commercial Site Despite Protests (International Business Daily)

Eva Forslund