Muslim News Digest, March 2026

MUSLIM NEWS DIGEST, MARCH 2026

EID AL-FITR:

Israel to keep Al-Aqsa Mosque closed through Eid al-Fitr and beyond. Middle East Eye. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/exclusive-israel-keep-al-aqsa-mosque-closed-through-eid-al-fitr-and-beyond

In photos: Eid al-Fitr service reflects Milwaukee's expanding Muslim community united in prayer. Wisconsin Muslim Journal. https://wisconsinmuslimjournal.org/in-photos-eid-al-fitr-service-reflects-milwaukees-expanding-muslim-community-united-in-prayer/

More than 25,000 strong county's growing Muslim community gathers for Eid al-Fitr. Prince William Times, Virginia. https://www.princewilliamtimes.com/localnews/more-than-25-000-strong-countys-growing-muslim-community-gathers-for-eid-al-fitr/article_825651f7-75d7-405b-958a-67317c59c47d.html

Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world amid the shadow of war. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2026/3/20/photos-muslims-celebrate-eid-al-fitr-around-the-world-amid-shadow-of-war
 
Canada Post issues octagon-shaped Eid stamps in 3 designs. Linn's Stamp News. https://www.linns.com/news/us-stamps-page/canada-post-issues-octagon-shaped-eid-stamps-in-three-designs

USA NEWS:

We, the American people, have had enough of endless wars. Hussam Ayloush. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2026/3/8/we-the-american-people-have-had-enough-of-endless-wars

How can America heal? Eboo Patel says through pluralism. Deseret. https://www.deseret.com/faith/2026/02/25/eboo-patel-interfaith-democracy-national-cathedral/

Marquette University's new Muslim Chaplain has two missions. Wisconsin Muslim Journal. https://wisconsinmuslimjournal.org/marquette-universitys-new-muslim-chaplain-has-two-missions/

Berwyn mosque became Midwest's first geared toward Latino Muslims. WBEZ Chicago. https://www.wbez.org/religion/2026/03/05/latino-muslims-ojala-islamic-center

A Texas student turns an abandoned school into a mosque in 45 days. RNS. https://religionnews.com/2026/02/27/a-texas-student-turns-abandoned-school-to-mosque-in-45-days/

'We're not strangers': How a Baltimore's masjid's relatable videos led to Instagram fame. RNS. https://religionnews.com/2026/03/25/were-not-strangers-how-a-baltimore-masjids-relatable-videos-led-to-instagram-fame/

Nabeela Syed wins Illinois State Senate District 26 primary election unopposed. Chicago Tribune. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/17/2026-primary-day-election-results-illinois-state-senate-district-26/

The home of 'the richest girl in the world' is an Islamic art museum. Cair Scene. https://cairoscene.com/Home/The-Home-of-The-Richest-Girl-in-the-World-is-an-Islamic-Art-Museum

Judge blocks Governor DeSantis from designating Muslim group a 'terrorist organization.' Miami Herald. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/state/florida/article314929363.html

Texas, Florida face pushback over efforts to exclude Islamic schools from school voucher programs. Hill.  https://thehill.com/homenews/education/5783162-texas-florida-face-pushback-over-efforts-to-exclude-islamic-schools-from-school-voucher-programs/

A call on the Republican Party to affirm religious freedom for all Americans including Muslims. CAIR. https://www.cair.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CAIR-Letter-to-Cong.-GOP-A-Call-on-the-Republican-Party-to-Affirm-Religious-Freedom-for-All-Americans-Including-Muslims-3-13-26.pdf

Federal jury awarded $667,000 to Muslim inmates pepper-sprayed during prayer. St. Louis Today. https://nationaltoday.com/us/mo/st-louis/news/2026/03/10/federal-jury-awards-667k-to-muslim-inmates-pepper-sprayed-during-prayer/

Philadelphia prisons approve hijabs for correctional officers. Philadelphia Tribune. https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphia-prisons-approve-hijabs-for-correctional-officers/article_046a564b-f578-4b73-8549-a3c4e44e5a6e.html

Palestinian protester Leqaa Kordia released from ICE custody after a year in a Texas detention facility. Fox4 News. 
https://www.fox4news.com/news/leqaa-kordia-released-ice-custody-north-texas-detention-facility

Christian coalition condemns Allen's 'anti-Muslim rhetoric.' Alabama Reporter. https://www.alreporter.com/2026/03/27/christian-coalition-condemns-allens-anti-muslim-rhetoric/

Muslims in sports: How far we've come and what's yet to be done. Islamic Horizons. https://islamichorizons.net/muslims-and-sports/

A groundbreaking video game brings the Muslim Golden Age to life. Desert Sun. https://www.desertsun.com/press-release/story/112317/a-groundbreaking-video-game-brings-the-muslim-golden-age-to-life/

Oscars 2026: Stars display Iran war and Gaza messages on red carpet. National News. https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/film-tv/2026/03/16/oscars-2026-stars-display-iran-war-and-gaza-messages-on-red-carpet/

Joe Kent, top counterterrorism official, says Iran posed no imminent threat as he resigns over Trump's war. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/joe-kent-top-counterterrorism-official-says-iran-posed-no-imminent-threat-as-he-resigns-over-trumps-war 

INTERNATIONAL:

War in the Middle East ensnares many Muslim pilgrims in travel chaos. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/iran-war-saudi-arabia-muslim-pilgrims-travel-668bb795399e8a4e6822e91e628c3851

When the bombs fall on other people's children. RNS. https://religionnews.com/2026/03/05/when-the-bombs-fall-on-other-peoples-children-iran-minab-girls-school/

'We give what we love': How Kashmir's 'Little Iran' is giving generous aid to Tehran. Middle East Eye. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-kashmir-little-iran-giving-aid-tehran

Pakistan prepares to host U.S.-Iran talks in 'coming days' as Trump weighs deploying ground troops. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/29/bahrain-aluminum-giant-says-iranian-attack-targeted-its-facilit.html

Modernization is making South-East Asia more Islamic. Economist. https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/02/25/modernisation-is-making-south-east-asia-more-islamic

From job rejections to City Hall: How Vera Celik became Zurich, Switzerland's first hijab-wearing councilor. Muslim Network News. https://www.muslimnetwork.tv/from-job-rejections-to-city-hall-how-vera-celik-became-zurichs-first-hijab-wearing-councillor/

Israel's settlement expansion drives mass displacement in the West Bank. United Nations Human Rights Report. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2026/03/israels-settlement-expansion-drives-mass-displacement-west-bank-un-report

Land Day and the Palestinian struggle after 30 months of genocide. New Humanitarian. https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/2026/03/30/land-day-palestine-struggle-30-months-genocide

South Asia gains the spotlight as Islamic animation hotspot. Salaam Gateway. https://salaamgateway.com/story/south-asia-gain-spotlight-as-islamic-animation-hotspot

Spanish man revives centuries-old horseback pilgrimage to Mecca. Daily Sabah. https://www.dailysabah.com/life/religion/spanish-man-revives-centuries-old-horseback-pilgrimage-to-mecca

Is AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) one of the debt free halal stocks to buy? msn. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/topstocks/is-abbvie-inc-abbv-one-of-the-debt-free-halal-stocks-to-buy/ar-AA1YzraB

INSPIRATION::

Why the number of Islamic schools in Canada is soaring. Economist. https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2026/03/23/why-the-number-of-islamic-schools-in-canada-is-soaring

How to stay sane in a world full of war, lies, and darkness? IslamiCity. https://www.islamicity.org/106420/how-to-stay-sane-in-a-world-full-of-war-lies-and-darkness-light-upon-light-by-islamicity-episode-44/

Hundreds of Qur'an, prayer items donated to Muslim inmates at ICE prison in NJ. Patch. https://patch.com/new-jersey/newarknj/hundreds-qur-ans-prayer-items-donated-muslim-inmates-ice-prison-nj

Saudi Arabia opens domestic Hajj 2026 and steps you need to know. TOI. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-opens-domestic-hajj-2026-registration-eligibility-dates-and-steps-you-need-to-know/articleshow/128750314.cms

Rare giant Quran gifted to Ottoman Sultan Bayezid-I unveiled in Turkiye. Turkiye Today. https://www.turkiyetoday.com/culture/rare-giant-quran-gifted-to-ottoman-sultan-bayezid-i-unveiled-in-turkiye-3216204
 
From darkness to light: how Islam changed a Dutch woman's life. Daily Sabah. https://www.dailysabah.com/life/religion/from-darkness-to-light-how-islam-changed-a-dutch-womans-life

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ISLAMIC DATES: https://fiqhcouncil.org/calendar/
Apr 18. 1st of Dhul Qi'dah
May 18. Dhul Hijjah
May 26. Hajj, Day of Arafat
May 27. Eid al-Adha
Jun 16. 1st of Muharram 1448 AH
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS, NATIONAL:
Apr 3-4. MAS CON Texas. https://masconventiontx.ticketspice.com/texas-mascon-2026
Apr 3-5. MYNA Spring Camps. https://www.myna.org/camps
Apr 3-5. Chicago. ISNA Education Forum. https://hq.isna.net/upcoming-events
Apr 4. Chicago. ISNA Matrimonial Banquet. https://isna.tfaforms.net/32
Apr 13. Sacramento. Muslim Day at the Capitol of California. https://ca.cair.com/advocacy/muslim-day-at-the-capitol/
Apr 20, 21. Washington DC. USCMO National Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill. https://fill.formnx.com/f/16tm73
Apr 30. ISNA Scholarship. Last date to apply. https://isna.net/scholarships
May15. Washington DC. CSID-MPAC 24th Annual Conference. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/csid-mpac-24th-annual-conference-a-world-order-without-democracy-tickets-1985730196472
May 23-25. Baltimore. ICNA-MAS Convention 2026. https://icnaconvention.org/
Jun 28-Jul 19. MYNA Hira Intensive. https://www.myna.org/hira-main
Jul 25-27. Washington DC. World Children's Festival. https://icaf.org/programs/world-childrens-festival
Sep 4-7. Detroit. 63rd Annual ISNA Convention. https://hq.isna.net/annual-convention
Sep 12. Washington DC. CAIR National Policy Conference. https://action.cair.com/a/notify-when-registration-opens
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