News & Analysis (07/23/16)

Although the motives of the Munich attacker are still unknown, Munich’s police chief thinks a “link between the new attack and Friday’s fifth anniversary of [Anders] Breivik’s attacks in Norway is ‘obvious’”:

• Munich Gunman “Obsessed with Mass Shootings” (BBC)

Though scores of civilians were killed, the US believes its bombing of ISIS targets to be worth it:

• US Insists Airstrikes Against Syria’s Manbij Will Continue (Antiwar.com)

The Taliban has condemned, but ISIS has claimed, the deadly attack on the Hazara community in Kabul:

• Kabul Explosion: Islamic State Admits ‘Attack on Hazara Protest’ (BBC)

“The voting booth was simply the most feasible way to dismantle the postcolonial, secular systems that, in the eyes of their followers, had failed to bring justice or development to ordinary Muslims:”

• The Crisis of Political Islam (Wall Street Journal)

The Sultan of Sokoto in Nigeria has reminded Muslims of the Qur’anic principle of no compulsion in religion, as well as that they should avoid fighting with anyone unless attacked directly:

• Don’t Fight, Force, Anyone to Join Islam, Sultan Warns Muslims (Vanguard Nigeria)

The High Court in Lagos state, Nigeria has ruled that the legality of the wearing of hijabs in schools:

• Nigeria’s Muslims Applaud Lifting of Hijab Ban in Lagos Schools (BBC)

This author is of the opinion that Muslims need to take action against ISIS. Many other Muslims and Muslim organizations share this sentiment:

• Your Letters: Stop Using Islam to Brutalize Islam (Jakarta Post)

Jeta Luboteni