News and Analysis (6/7/16)

Ali pioneered a new path in this country’s religious life, they said, marrying an all-American bravado with an unapologetic embrace of Islam…. [A] coalition of national groups … have urged Muslims to honor the late boxer this week with special prayers at local mosques” …

• Why Muhammad Ali Was ‘the Greatest’ American Muslim (CNN)

… “[T]he image of Muhammad Ali isn’t the same as it was for most Americans 50 years ago. And that says something good about US progress on race relations and religious tolerance… [B]efore there could be a ‘Hamilton’ there had to be an Ali”:

• Muhammad Ali: ‘I Am America’ (Christian Science Monitor)

He was involved in the planning, execution and justification of “the intentional killings of their colleagues…. If the Newseum had wanted to foster ‘debate,’ it would presumably have invited Palestinian journalists, human rights defenders or experts on the laws of war to take part”:

• Journalists Urge Newseum to Disinvite Avital Leibovich (electronic intifada)

In criminal proceedings from which reporters were barred, a former judge and “Egypt’s former top auditor who exposed massive corruption in the country has gone on trial on charges that include spreading ‘false news’ … [and] ‘disturbing’ the country’s security”:

• Egypt Puts Former Auditor on Trial for Exposing Corruption (AP /abc News)

The Saudi cabinet has approved a plan to introduce “a value-added tax (VAT), so-called ‘sin taxes’ on sweet drinks and tobacco, and additional fees imposed on the private sector … [and] to reduce the value of public salaries and wages …, and cut water and electricity subsidies”:

• Saudi Reform Plan Aims for Revenue Surge, Salary Clamp-down (Reuters)

Critics charge that “a system of guardianship of women in Saudi Arabia” can force a woman “to get … divorced on the grounds that they have have married ‘outside their lineage’” but “Islam took away these ignorant and racist traditions and you are resurrecting them” :

• When Saudi Women Marry Foreigners (BBC)

As the U.S. and Russia press harder on the self-styled “Islamic State,” the plight of the civilian population gets worse:

• U.S.-backed Syria Force Closes In on IS-held City; Slow Iraq Advance Causes Rift (Christian Science Monitor)
• Allegations of Human Rights Violations in Fallujah Fight (AP / abc News)
• Thousands Displaced as US-backed Syrian Forces Move on ISIS-held Manbij (Christian Science Monitor)

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