Muslim News Digest, June 2026

AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY:

Muslim Americans: A vital part of America's success. Wisconsin Examiner. https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2026/05/28/muslim-americans-a-vital-part-of-americas-success/

We the People, Advancing an Unfinished Promise. Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC). https://www.mpac.org/250th-anniversary

MPAC unveils new Times Square billboard. video. http://bit.ly/MPACYouTube     

How enslaved African Muslims resisted bondage through their faith and writing. Conversation. https://theconversation.com/how-enslaved-african-muslims-resisted-bondage-through-their-faith-and-writing-276967

The day 200,000 Americans took Shahada. Sound Vision. https://www.soundvision.com/article/the-day-200000-americans-took-shahada#sthash.iZyKUzka.2JhllhW9.dpbs

Muslims were part of America's story long before the republic began. Conversation. https://theconversation.com/muslims-were-part-of-americas-story-long-before-the-republic-began-285895

What does it mean to belong in America? Ep. 1, Eboo Patel. RNS. Video 2:34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SbA0vVgUuc 

Remembering Jefferson's Quran as the nation turns 250. Minnesota Post. https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2026/06/remembering-jeffersons-quran-promise-religious-freedom/

America at 250: Are we still free to worship without fear? Faisal Kutty, Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/america-at-250-are-we-still-free-to-worship-without-fear-opinion-12086166

Religious liberty for all: Celebrating this Founding Freedom at America 250. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/religious-liberty-for-all-celebrating-this-founding-freedom-at-america-250/

America at 250: Faith communities can help heal divisions. Fairfax County Times. https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/america-at-250-faith-communities-can-help-heal-divisions/article_7a284901-f1a4-44d0-b239-3832ae251d63.html

New poll: 250 years in, Americans prefer religious diversity. RNS. https://religionnews.com/2026/06/17/new-poll-250-years-in-americans-prefer-religious-diversity/

USA NEWS:

Muslim community celebrates Salah Sarsour's freedom. Urban Milwaukee. https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2026/06/19/muslim-community-celebrate-sarsours-freedom/

Muslim women-led nonprofits are engaging in advocacy despite facing a surge in Islamophobia. RNS. https://religionnews.com/2026/05/19/victims-killed-in-san-diego-mosque-remembered-as-men-of-courage-sacrifice-and-faith/

New Islamic Center location opens in South Lansing, Michigan. WLNS News. https://www.wlns.com/news/new-islamic-center-location-opens-in-south-lansing/

Memphis Islamic Center holds an open house, takes questions. Action News5. https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/06/15/memphis-islamic-center-holds-open-house-takes-questions/

Yale University awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree to Dr. Ingrid Mattson. https://yale2026.yale.edu/hd-recipients/ingrid-mattson/

One month after the deadly attack, the San Diego Muslim community looks toward healing and recovery. Daylight San Diego. https://www.daylightsandiego.org/one-month-after-deadly-attack-san-diego-muslim-community-looks-toward-healing-and-recovery/

Reassigned Muslim FWISD educator sues, wants principal job back. Fort Worth Report. https://fortworthreport.org/2026/06/19/reassigned-muslim-fwisd-educator-sues-wants-principal-job-back/

San Jose California State University must reinstate professor fired over pro-Palestinian activism, arbitrator rules. Mercury News. https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/06/24/san-jose-state-ordered-to-give-professor-back-her-job-after-firing-found-to-be-excessive/

Muslim families look to Arabic immersion education to give their children a foundation in faith and identity. Chicago Sun-Times. https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2026/05/29/chicago-muslim-families-arabic-immersion-education-faith-identity-bridgeview-quran-mas-blossoms

Best practices for Mosque and Community Safety. CAIR. https://www.cairwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CAIR_Mosque_Safety_Guide.pdf

Sky of Hope: The British Pakistani artist, Idris Khan, who designed the most audacious part of the Obama Presidential Center. American Kahani. https://americankahani.com/lead-stories/sky-of-hope-the-british-pakistani-artist-who-designed-the-most-audacious-part-of-the-obama-presidential-center

Sal (Salman) Khan of Khan Academy has teamed up with Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey to build an AI degree that could rival Harvard... Fortune. https://fortune.com/2026/04/15/sal-khan-ceo-khan-academy-google-microsoft-ted-ets-higher-education-institute-bachelors-applied-ai-gen-z-college-upskilling/

As the Supreme Court clears the way to deport Haitians and Syrians, faith leaders grieve, prepare for what's next. RNS. https://religionnews.com/2026/06/25/as-supreme-court-clears-way-to-deport-haitians-and-syrians-faith-leaders-grieve-prepare-for-whats-next/

Aber Kawas poised to become the first Palestinian Muslim woman in the New York state legislature. Maktoob. https://maktoobmedia.com/post?id=115785&slug=aber-kawas-poised-to-become-first-palestinian-muslim-woman-in-new-york-legislature

Palestinian American Ruwa Romman wins runoff in Georgia as progressive leads in the DC mayoral primary. New Arab. https://www.newarab.com/news/palestinian-american-ruwa-romman-wins-runoff-georgia

'My mayor Muslim': Mamdani reacts to viral Knicks chant after title win. NBC New York. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/new-york-city/knicks-chant-my-mayor-muslim-nyc/6513336/

Frisco, Texas voters reject anti-Muslim candidate for mayor. American Bazaar. https://americanbazaaronline.com/2026/06/17/texas-voters-reject-anti-muslim-candidate-for-mayor-483019/

Abdul Khabeer wins reelection in Irving Texas City Council race for District 3. KERA News. https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-06-13/khabeer-wins-reelection-in-irving-city-council-race-for-district-3

Surging in the Michigan Senate Primary, El-Sayed is best positioned to beat Republican: Polls. Common Dreams. https://www.commondreams.org/news/el-sayed-polling

Texas issues statewide ban on Quran-burner Jake Lang. Roya News. https://en.royanews.tv/news/70941/Texas-issue-statewide-ban-on-Quran-burner-Jake-Lang

There is no evidence Plano Texas mosque applies 'Sharia Law' in its funeral practices, a federal judge says. KERA News. https://www.keranews.org/government/2026-06-29/east-plano-islamic-center-texas-funeral-service-commission-lawsuit-ruling

Minnesota man found liable for targeting Muslim homebuyers. KSTP News. https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/minnesota-realtor-found-liable-for-targeting-muslim-homebuyers/

Maryland man sentenced to 15 months for threats against black and Muslim communities. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/maryland-man-sentenced-15-months-threats-against-black-muslim-communities-2026-06-29/

I left my $450,000 tech job to open a halal BBQ restaurant in Texas. It made over 2 million in its first year. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/left-450k-tech-job-open-bbq-joint-living-off-savings-2026-6

Ten Pakistanis are among the founders of America's billion-dollar companies. Pediastan.  https://www.pediastan.com/articles/pakistani-founders-of-us-billion-dollar-companies

The Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump proposed limits. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-birthright-citizenship-trump-immigration-c73cf0c70bb550ebf0a55fafddbd935c

Islamic Center brings joy through World Cup watch parties. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfeed/2026/6/30/islamic-centre-brings-joy-through-world-cup-watch-parties#flips-6399809125112:0
 
US Council of Muslim Organizations internship sign up form. https://fill.formnx.com/f/internship-application-49wf62

INTERNATIONAL:

I Want My Country Back. AI Short Film. ilmfeed. video 4:44. [Warning: may hint an intended violence] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD0wvr5vNj8
 

Ms. Rachel, Lady Zaynab and the power of empathy to fight injustice. RNS. https://religionnews.com/2026/06/29/ms-rachel-lady-zaynab-and-the-power-of-empathy-to-fight-injustice/ 

Barzani Grand Mosque project launched in Erbil as a major religious and cultural landmark. Kurdistan 24. https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/921252/barzani-grand-mosque-project-launched-in-erbil-as-major-religious-and-cultural-landmark

Azhar Azeez, CEO of ISNA interviewed on BBC regarding Hajj. Video 4:08. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzpsL2n_hQs

How Muslim footballers are bringing sujood to the World Cup stage. hyphen. https://hyphenonline.com/2026/06/24/sujood-world-cup-yamal-salah-muslim-footballers/

Muslim stars shine for non-Muslim nations at the 2026 World Cup. Muslim Network TV. https://www.muslimnetwork.tv/muslim-stars-shine-for-non-muslim-nations-at-the-2026-world-cup/

Pakistan-made football floats in space in NASA science test. Minute Mirror. https://minutemirror.com.pk/pakistan-made-football-floats-in-space-in-nasa-science-test-576732/

New WWE champion Sami Zayn reflects on journey to his title win in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. National News. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/pop-culture/2026/06/28/sami-zayn-wwe-undisputed-champion-riyadh/

The Muslim TechFest gave me hope for the future. ilmfeed. https://ilmfeed.com/muslim-tech-fest-2026/

Malaysia tops global Muslim travel rankings as halal tourism booms. 5 Pillars. https://5pillarsuk.com/2026/06/29/malaysia-tops-global-muslim-travel-rankings-as-halal-tourism-booms/

Desert express: UAE launches first national passenger rail network. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/30/travel/uae-first-passenger-rail-scli-intl

A guide to history city breaks this summer. hyphen. https://hyphenonline.com/2026/06/25/guide-islamic-muslim-history-city-breaks-summer-europe-holidays/

INSPIRATION:

Friday prayers in UAE to warn of 'deadly poison' of drug abuse. National News. https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/06/25/friday-prayers-in-uae-to-warn-of-deadly-poison-of-drug-abuse/

Rare 400-year-old Quran manuscript showcases golden age of Islamic art in Mecca. Gulf News. https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/rare-400-year-old-quran-manuscript-showcases-golden-age-of-islamic-art-in-mecca-1.500578871#google_vignette

How injustice can inspire Islamic practice in youth. Sound Vision. https://www.soundvision.com/article/how-injustice-can-inspire-islamic-practice-in-youth#sthash.Ruw8R71Q.dpbs

Exploring AI policies for American Islamic schools. Islamic Horizons. https://islamichorizons.net/exploring-ai-policies-for-american-islamic-schools/

Why does this evangelical pastor reject fear of Shariah? RNS. https://religionnews.com/2026/06/09/why-this-evangelical-pastor-rejects-fear-of-shariah

Life of Muhammad (Pbuh), founder of Islam. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/video/Top-questions-answers-Muhammad/-245049

'Breaking Bad' star Giancarlo Esposito embraces Islam while filming a new project in Saudi Arabia. Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2614364/breaking-bad-star-giancarlo-esposito-embraces-islam-while-filming-new-project-in-saudi-arabia

Congratulations! You have graduated. What's next? Canada Today Youth. video 28:49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcSlEkDdNgk&list=PLNvUnX-ZxjJGNEUifSHhguz309zCZYvCx&index=4

How to be happy in tough times. IslamiCity. https://www.islamicity.org/106779/how-to-be-happy-in-tough-times-light-upon-light-by-islamicity-episode-56/