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Articles on Shiite Muslims

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Giving a portion of one’s wealth annually is part of the spiritual practice in Islam. gahsoon/E+ via Getty Images

What is Zakat? A scholar of Islam explains

Zakat, or charity, is a fundamental practice within the Islamic faith.
A late 19th-early 20th century painting by Abbas Al-Musavi depicting the Battle of Karbala, which occurred in 680. Gift of K. Thomas Elghanayan in honor of Nourollah Elghanayan, Photo: Brooklyn Museum

What is the Islamic New Year? A scholar of religion explains

The Islamic New Year marks the first day of Muharram, a sacred month of prayer and annual reflection.
Hilye, or calligraphic panel containing a physical description of the Prophet Muhammad made in 1718 in the Galata Palace, Istanbul. Dihya Salim al-Fahim, (1718), via Wikimedia Commons

Muslims have visualized Prophet Muhammad in words and calligraphic art for centuries

Visual depiction of Prophet Muhammad is a sensitive issue for many Muslims. Islamic literature shows how Muslims used textual imagery to give a vivid picture of the prophet.
Entrance to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, burial place of the founder of the Bahá’í faith, near Acre, Israel. Bahá’í World News Service © Bahá'í International Community

Who are the Baha'is and why are they so persecuted?

The Baha'i faith originated in Iran and today has 100,000 communities across the globe, including the United States. Here is their history.
The Saudi king presents Trump with The Collar of Abdulaziz Al Saud medal on May 20, 2017. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Trump, Saudi Arabia and yet another arms deal

Shared economic and security interests have kept Saudi Arabia and the US close over the decades despite dramatic differences in the way the two countries are governed.
Tensions between cattle herders and crop-farming communities in Nigeria have escalated in the past few months. Reuters/Akintunde Akinleye

Nigeria faces new security threat fuelled by climate change and ethnicity

Escalating clashes between herders and farmers in Nigeria threaten the country’s national and food security. A response based on innovation, sustainability and political will is urgently needed.
Hazaras have long been persecuted in Afghanistan, but those returned from countries like Australia are in particular danger of being tortured and murdered. Wikimedia Commons/ISAF Public Affairs Office

Australia’s folly returns Afghan Hazaras to torture and death

It has been a bad time lately for Afghan Hazaras with Australian connections. In late September, the shocking news came through that the Taliban had tortured and murdered an Australian of Afghan background…

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