News and Analysis (3/8/20)

MbS shuts down the pilgrimage sites …

• Saudi Empties Islam’s Holiest Site for ‘Sterilisation’ (AFP / Yahoo)

… and arrests potential political challengers:

• Four Prominent Saudi Royals Arrested in Apparent Bid by Crown Prince to Consolidate Power (Washington Post)

Israel army snipers bragging about shooting dozens of unarmed Palestinian in the knee, many of them children; one sniper condemned the crackdown:

• ’42 Knees in One Day’: Israeli Snipers Open Up About Shooting Gaza Protesters (Haaretz)

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin who signed the letter opposing Trump’s peace plan said the plan is one-sided that would not move the peace process forward, and the Palestinian reaction is predictable:

• Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin on Antisemitism, White Supremacy, BDS and Iran (Algemeiner)

Video clips of medical staff, in economic sanction and coronavirus-hit Iran, dancing through it all to lift the spirit of patients:

• Hospital Dance Clips Lighten Virus Gloom in Hard-Hit Iran (The Times of Israel)

What were they thinking?

• Biden Campaign Urged to Remove ‘Modi Supporter’ as Muslim Outreach Coordinator (Middle East Eye)

Fear over COVID-19 spread, urges the Islamic world, Sunni and Shiite, to ban Pilgrimage and Friday prayers:

• Virus Halts Pilgrimages to Mecca, Friday Prayers in Iran (WCTI12)

How US sanction impacted Iran’s capability of developing a coronavirus vaccine:

• Iran’s IRGC Claims It’s Close to Producing Coronavirus Vaccine (Al-Monitor)

Delaware Muslim Cemetery to reopen after a cease-and-desist issued for not meeting traffic safety was lifted:

• Delaware’s Only Muslim Cemetery Can Resume Burials After Cease-and-Desist Order Lifted (WHYY)

Jill D’Alessandro of Fine Art Museum of San Francisco said Modest Muslim fashion often left out and misunderstood is now a major influence on global fashion:

• Modest Fashion, on Display (The Cut)