News and Analysis 5/15/23

The cease fire that to Israeli-provoked violence that killed 33 Palestinians and two Israelis is mostly holding …

• Ceasefire Ends Five Days of Gaza Escalation (Electronic Intifada)
• Gaza Ceasefire Largely Holds as Palestinians, Israelis Count Deadly Cost (France 24)
• What Is Behind the Latest Israel-Gaza Violence? (Israel-Palestine News)

… but Netanyahu has plans for new provocations:

• Netanyahu Vows Contentious Jerusalem Flag March Will Again Go Through Muslim Quarter (Ties of Israel)

Erdogan “holds a momentary lead over his challenger but has fallen short of outright securing a third decade”:

• President Erdogan Leads Turkey’s Election, Headed into Runoff (Christian Science Monitor)

“For the first time in history, the United Nations is officially commemorating the Nakba,” while Israel calls on “U.N. member states to boycott the event“:

• The U.N. is marking the 75th anniversary of Palestinians’ displacement (NPR)

“I hold the highest regard for every individual regardless of their personal preferences, gender, religion or background[,] … but it also encompasses respect for my own personal beliefs”:

• 5 Muslim Players Excluded from French League over Refusal to Wear LGBT Colours (Siasat Daily)

“There are many LGBTQ+ Muslim who have strong faith in religion but they cannot remain in the religion because the surrounding pressures keep telling them they are wrong” — Nazmadih Mateem Nujan:

• First Muslim Takes Local Gay Crown (Bangkok Post)

The “granddaughter of Palestinian refugees … jokes about the similarities between Arab culture and Southern culture, saying both are focused on hospitality, family, and religion”:

• Ruwa Romman, Georgia Lawmaker, Is the First Muslim Woman and Palestinian American in the Statehouse (Teen Vogue)

Prof. Colin Turner, Founder and Head of Academic Research, International Foundation for Muslim Theology, UK … emphasized on the urgent need of differentiating science proper, scientism, pseudo-science and missionization”:

• IUST Organizes Lecture on Islam and Modern Science (Brighter Kashmir)

“Allah created mankind in diversity of cultures, tribe, race and ethnicity not for the purpose of wars and conflict but rather so that mankind could acknowledge and be helpful to each other” — Dialog Chair, Ghana’s National Imam:

• Catholic, Muslim Leaders Echo Interfaith Tolerance (Graphic Online)

“[W]e strive for a single state where all citizens have equal rights: — Mustafa Barghouti:

• A Just and Democratic Society that Benefits All: That’s What Palestinians are Fighting for (The Guardian)

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