Muslim News Digest, aPRIL 02, 2025.

Editor: Zulfiqar Malik, Overland Park, Kansas, USA.

EID-UL-FITR:

• See how Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world. National Geographic. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/eid-al-fitr-ramadan-celebrations-around-the-world
• Eid al-Fitr around the world. IslamiCity. https://www.islamicity.org/81058/eid-al-fitr-around-the-world/?referer=ecast
• Eid al-Fitr in color for Muslims in Africa. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/longform/2025/3/28/ramadan-in-colour-how-muslims-in-africa-celebrate-the-holy-month-and-eid
• Eid al-Fitr 2025 around the world- in pictures. Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2025/mar/31/eid-al-fitr-2025-around-the-world-in-pictures
• Eid al-Fitr: An introspective celebration. Wisconsin Muslim Journal. https://wisconsinmuslimjournal.org/https-www-islamicity-org-9011-eid-al-fitr-an-introspective-celebration/
• More than 40,000 gather at Cal Expo for Eid al-Fitr celebration. KCRA3 California. https://www.kcra.com/article/sacrmento-cal-expo-eid-celebration-2025/64332033
• Eid moves one step closer to becoming a Washington state holiday. KUOW. https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-state-lawmakers-legislature-vote-recognize-muslim-holidays-eid

RAMADAN

• The Ramadan tent  supports Muslim community, delivers over 20,000 meals to the needy. Daily Cougar, University of Houston.  https://thedailycougar.com/2025/04/02/ramadan-tent-supports-muslim-community-delivers-over-20000-meals-to-the-needy/
• In pictures: Muslims around the world observe Ramadan. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/01/world/gallery/ramadan-2025/index.html
• Two Holy Mosques welcome over 122 million visitors in Ramadan. msn. https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/two-holy-mosques-welcome-over-122-million-visitors-in-ramadan/ar-AA1BZVke
• How does fasting benefit your brain? Sound Vision. https://www.soundvision.com/article/how-does-fasting-benefit-your-brain
• A Ramadan of resilience: Faith in a world on fire. RNS. https://religionnews.com/2025/02/28/a-ramadan-of-resilience-faith-in-a-world-on-fire/
• ‘Coming close to God through sacrifice.’ 3 Kansas City Muslims share how they celebrate Ramadan. KCUR. https://www.kcur.org/podcast/up-to-date/2025-03-06/coming-close-to-god-through-sacrifice-3-kansas-city-muslims-share-how-they-celebrate-ramadan
• Islamic Center of McLean County observed Ramadan in a new masjid. WGLT. Illinois. https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-04-01/islamic-center-of-mclean-county-observed-ramadan-in-a-new-masjid
• Vatican Ramadan message: Christians and Muslims called to ‘walk side-by-side.’ Vatican News. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-03/ramadan-and-lent-coincide-dicastery-interreligious-koovakad.html
• President Trump hosts an iftar dinner at White House. C-SPAN. https://www.c-span.org/program/white-house-event/president-trump-hosts-iftar-dinner-at-white-house/657792
• ‘Amazing atmosphere’ at Windsor Castle Iftar event. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9849q3jd2po
• Football Association Cup ties to pause for fasting Muslim players during Ramadan. BBC Sport. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/crknng7307zo
• Why Muslims trade sleep for serenity in the last 10 nights of Ramadan. RNS. https://religionnews.com/2025/03/26/why-muslims-trade-sleep-for-serenity-in-the-last-ten-nights-of-ramadan/
• Ramadan 2025: Which countries grow the most dates? Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/12/ramadan-2025-which-countries-grow-the-most-dates

  The benefits of eating dates in Ramadan and beyond. Sound Vision. https://www.soundvision.com/article/the-benefits-of-eating-dates-in-ramadan-and-beyond

PALESTINE NEWS:

• International students deserve equal free speech protections. L. Ali Khan, Jurist News. https://www.jurist.org/commentary/2025/03/international-students-deserve-equal-free-speech-protections/
• Miami Beach mayor withdraws bill to evict theater for screening ‘No Other Land.’ Reason. https://reason.com/2025/03/19/miami-beach-mayor-withdraws-bill-to-evict-theater-for-screening-no-other-land/
• Illinois man convicted of murder and hate crimes in stabbing of 6-year-old Palestinian American boy. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/joseph-czuba-murder-hate-crime-verdict-wadee-alfayoumi-rcna194199
• Why NJ Rep. Bonnie Coleman brought a doctor who worked in Gaza as her guest to Trump’s speech. Democracy Now. https://www.democracynow.org/2025/3/5/trump_speech_gaza_palestine_omission
• Noor & Mahmous: Young hearts be free tonight, time is on your side. Michael More. https://www.michaelmoore.com/p/noor-and-mahmoud-young-hearts-be
• Gaza: U.N. relief chief demands ‘answers and justice’ following killing of first responders. United Nations. https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/03/1161721
• Pakistani architect Dr. Yasmeen Lari refuses Israel’s Wolf Prize over Gaza genocide. Express Tribune. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2533691/pakistani-architect-dr-yasmeen-lari-refuses-israels-wolf-prize-over-gaza-genocide

USA NEWS:

• Mosque grand opening brings the Woodland California community together. Pakistan Link. https://pakistanlink.org/Community/2025/March25/07/01.HTM
• Governor Shapiro announces $5 million grant to a Muslim organization in Pennsylvania. Capital-Star. https://penncapital-star.com/briefs/shapiro-announces-largest-grant-to-a-muslim-organization-in-pennsylvania/
• Mohamd El-Sokkary named Olympia, Washington Classified School Employee of The Year. https://osd.wednet.edu/news/district_news_archive__2024-25_/o_s_d_classified_school_employee_of_the_year
• Illinois first state to mandate availability of halal, kosher meals in schools, hospitals, prisons. WGN TV. https://wgntv.com/news/illinois/illinois-faith-by-plate-kosher-halal-meals/
• Columbus Community Shelter Board fires employee with anti-Muslim YouTube page. Columbus Dispatch. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2025/03/18/columbus-community-shelter-board-employee-anti-islam-youtube-thaddeus-billman/82516271007/
• Florida man convicted of threatening Muslims in metro Detroit sentenced. Detroit News. 
  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/03/21/florida-man-convicted-of-threatening-to-kill-muslims-in-metro-detroit-sentenced/82588108007/
• Zohran Mamdani: Championing progressive change in New York state politics. Stewardship Report. https://stewardshipreport.org/zohran-mamdani-championing-progressive-change-in-nys-politics/
• CAIR releases ‘Travel and Free Speech Guidance…..’ https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-releases-travel-and-free-speech-guidance-during-the-trump-administration/
• Express Newark unveils ‘Ritual’ exhibitions of contemporary Muslim art. Rutgers. https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/news/express-newark-unveils-ritual-exhibitions-contemporary-muslim-art

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

• Myanmar earthquake: Islamic Relief allocates funds and prepares to respond as the death toll rises. https://islamic-relief.org/news/myanmar-earthquake-islamic-relief-allocates-funds-prepares-to-respond-as-death-toll-rises/
• Saffron Kingdom (Kashmir independence struggle) set to release… Georgia Entertainment. https://www.georgiaentertainment.com/2025/02/georgia-lensed-saffron-kingdom-set-to-release-after-festival-circuit-wins/
• Hajj 2025: Saudi agencies readied for pilgrimage season. Gulf News. https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/saudi/hajj-2025-saudi-agencies-readied-for-pilgrimage-season-1.500068337
• Touring the Islamic food world with Nadiya Hussain. Conde’ Nast Traveller. https://www.cntraveller.com/article/touring-the-islamic-world-with-nadiya-hussain
• Hong Kong halal bazaar? New attractions among ideas to lure more Muslim visitors. South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3301615/hong-kong-halal-bazaar-new-attractions-among-ideas-lure-more-muslim-visitors
• Moosa Harraj makes history as the fourth Pakistani to win Oxford Student Union Presidency. Daily Pakistan. https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/09-Mar-2025/moosa-harraj-makes-history-as-fourth-pakistani-to-win-oxford-student-union-presidency
• Brazilian Muslims seek return of enslaved uprising leader’s skull from Harvard. RNS. https://religionnews.com/2025/03/26/brazilian-muslims-seek-return-of-enslaved-uprising-leaders-skull-from-harvard/
• Former boxer hailed ‘hero of humanity’ for foiling airport bomb threat. VN Express, Kazakhstan. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/crime/former-boxer-hailed-hero-of-humanity-for-foiling-airport-bomb-threat-4858980.html
• Islamic Arts Biennale 2025: And All That Is In Between. Brooklyn Rail. https://brooklynrail.org/2025/04/artseen/islamic-arts-biennale-2025-and-all-that-is-in-between/
• Iraq’s potential as an Islamic, cultural tourism hotspot. Salaam Gateway. https://salaamgateway.com/story/iraqs-potential-as-a-islamic-and-cultural-hotspot
• Iran qualifies for the 2026 World Cup with Uzbekistan draw. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/iran-qualify-2026-world-cup-with-uzbekistan-victory-2025-03-25/

INSPIRATION:

• A simple illustrated guide to zakat, answers to 7 common questions. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/23/a-simple-illustrated-guide-to-zakat-answers-to-7-common-questions
• New Woodbridge Islamic Academy is a ‘labor of love.’ Prince William Time, Virginia. https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/news/new-woodbridge-islamic-academy-is-a-labor-of-love/article_c2c0145c-22d7-442f-be9e-24cdc3f028eb.html
• Thousands convert to Islam in prison each year: “I recovered my humanity.” CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/islam-conversion-prison-state-of-spirituality/
• Japanese ex-adult film star announces conversion to Islam after Malaysia trip. Mothership. https://mothership.sg/2025/03/japanese-ex-adult-film-star-convert-islam/
• From doubt to faith: Italian chef’s life-changing journey to Islam. Daily Sabah. https://www.dailysabah.com/life/religion/from-doubt-to-faith-italian-chefs-life-changing-journey-to-islam
• Local Dublin Ohio woman seeks to inspire daughters with online hijab business. Columbus Dispatch. https://www.dispatch.com/picture-gallery/entertainment/local/2025/03/09/local-dublin-woman-runs-online-hijab-business-to-preserve-culture/79306601007/
• ‘People are dating willy-nilly, and not enough’: Muslim matchmaker Yasmin Elhady on the relationship crisis. Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/09/yasmin-elhady-muslim-matchmaker-dating
• U.S. and Kenya lead in Islamic conversions, reveals Pew Research. Walaw News. 
• https://sport.walaw.press/en/articles/us_and_kenya_lead_in_islamic_conversions_reveals_pew_research/GMMPRMGLXFXQ
• Muslim population to be more than Christian in the next 15 years in the U.S.? … India. https://www.india.com/news/world/muslim-population-christian-hindu-sikhs-united-states-donald-trump-pew-research-center-jewish-community-us-afghanistan-bangladesh-pakistan-iran-iraq-gaza-kashmir-7686798/

ISLAMIC CALENDAR: 

• ISLAMIC DATES: https://fiqhcouncil.org/calendar/
  Apr 29. 1st of Dhul Qi’dah
  May 28. 1st of Dhul Hijjah
  Jun 5. Hajj at Makkah
  Jun 6. Eid al-Adha
  Jun 26. 1st of Muharram 1447
  Jul 5. Ashura Muharram

CALENDAR OF EVENTS, NATIONAL:

Apr 5. Washington, DC. March for Palestine. 1 pm ET. https://marchforpalestine.org/
Apr 11-20. MYNA Spring Camps. https://www.myna.org/camp
Apr 12. Louisville. Feel The Thunder at Muhammad Ali Center. https://alicenter.org/events/thunder-mac-2025/
Apr 13. Washington, DC. USCMO Advocacy Day. https://uscmo.org/8th-annual-national-muslim-advocacy-day/
Apr 13-15. Chicago. IFANCA 22nd International Halal Food Conference. https://ifanca.org/announcing-the-ifanca-22nd-international-halal-food-conference/
Apr 18-20. Chicago. 26th ISNA Education Forum. https://isna.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/isna/event.jsp?event=99&19- 
Apr 19. Chicago. ISNA Matrimonial Event. https://hq.isna.net/upcoming-events
Apr 28. Sacramento, CA. Muslim Youth Day at the Capitol. https://ca.cair.com/advocacy/muslim-day-at-the-capitol/youth-day-registration/
Apr 28-29. Washington, DC. USCMO 10th National Muslim Advocacy Day. https://uscmo.org/etn/10th-national-muslim-advocacy-day-on-capitol-hill/   
May 24-26. Baltimore. 50th Annual ICNA Convention. https://icnaconvention.org
May 26-Aug 1. Congressional Leadership Development Program. https://cldp.org/
Jul 6-27. Flint, Mi. MYNA Hira Intensive. https://www.myna.org/hira-main
Aug 1-3. Philadelphia. Imam W.D. Mohammed: 50 Years of Legacy Celebration. https://www.iwdmcommunity.com/
Aug 29-Sep 1. Chicago. 62nd Annual ISNA Convention. https://isna.net/

DISCLAIMER

This newsletter is a free service to communicate the news and events for information and research purposes. Opinions expressed and the events are not necessarily endorsed by the sender. Thanks to all news sources. 
We safeguard our list-serve and do not sell, rent or permit the use of our list by others, at any time, for any reason. We hope that you will want to continue receiving the Muslim News Digest.