Omar Sacirbey

Omar Sacirbey is a Boston-based correspondent for Religion News Service and other publications.

All Stories by Omar Sacirbey

Bosnian Muslims thrive in U.S. despite unease over homeland

By Omar Sacirbey — November 28, 2012

BOSTON (RNS) Despite their relatively short time in America and the traumas of war, Bosnian Muslims are thriving in American society. Success, however, hasn’t diminished the sense of injustice that many feel over how the bloody war ended, or concerns that their trials could be too easily forgotten. By Omar Sacirbey.

U.S. dominates list of world’s ‘500 Most Influential Muslims’

By Omar Sacirbey — November 28, 2012

(RNS) There are more Muslims from America than any other country on this year’s “The Muslim 500: The World’s 500 Most Influential Muslims,” compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, a respected think tank in Jordan, including two in the top 50. By Omar Sacirbey.

American Muslims celebrate defeat of congressional critics

By Omar Sacirbey — November 8, 2012

(RNS) American Muslims are celebrating the ouster of two Tea Party congressmen known for their anti-Islamic rhetoric, and heralding the outcomes as a sign that Muslim voters are a political force to be reckoned with. By Omar Sacirbey. 

Hawaii Democrat poised to be first Hindu in Congress

By Omar Sacirbey — November 1, 2012

(RNS) Hindu Americans have succeeded as engineers, doctors and lawyers in America, but one profession has been out of reach: Congress. That could change next week as Democrat Tulsi Gabbard looks poised to win a seat in Hawaii. By Omar Sacirbey.

Muslims back Obama, but by smaller margin than in 2008

By Omar Sacirbey — October 29, 2012

(RNS) While fewer Muslims are supporting Obama this year, Muslim support for Mitt Romney, at 7 percent according to a recent poll, is more than triple the 2.2 percent of Muslims who voted for John McCain in 2008. By Omar Sacirbey.

Activists say religion is key in combating female genital mutilation

By Omar Sacirbey — October 26, 2012

(RNS) Because of its severity and prevalence, female genital mutilation is arguably one of the most important human rights issues in the world. But the practice remains poorly understood, both by supporters who assert it is mandated by Islam, and opponents who, according to some activists, do more to sustain the practice than end it. By Omar Sacirbey.

Pork-free vaccine wins cheers from Hajj pilgrims

By Omar Sacirbey — October 18, 2012
(RNS) The nearly 3 million Muslims who will make next week’s annual hajj pilgrimage to the sacred Saudi Arabian city of Mecca are required to be vaccinated against meningitis. Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis claims to have developed, in 2010, the first anti-meningitis vaccine without pork, which Muslims are forbidden to consume under Islamic law. Many […]

Muslim women bridge differences to help refugees resettle in U.S.

By Omar Sacirbey — October 11, 2012

LYNN, Mass. (RNS) Iman Shati and Ayfer Abed Aljabar come from two different countries, two different cultures and even two different sects of Islam. Yet they're working together to help Iraqi refugees adjust to life in the U.S. by obtaining health insurance, driver's licenses and even laptops with Arabic letter keys. By Omar Sacirbey.

Shiite Muslims quietly establish a foothold in U.S.

By Omar Sacirbey — October 2, 2012

QUINCY, Mass. (RNS) Until recently, the overwhelming share of U.S. Muslims were Sunni. That's changing as Shiite Muslims flee persecution in their homelands and set up mosques in the U.S., presenting another face of American Islam and bringing overseas tensions within Islam to U.S. shores. By Omar Sacirbey.

Shariah or not, Muslim divorces can get tricky

By Omar Sacirbey — October 1, 2012

(RNS) Islamic marriages typically include a basic marriage contract -- but when it comes time to divorce, some judges see the dowry as a simple contract, others as a prenuptial agreement, and others as a strictly religious matter in which they don’t want to get involved. By Omar Sacirbey.

Muslim parents wrestle with passing on Islamic values

By Omar Sacirbey — September 24, 2012

BOSTON (RNS) Muslim immigrants frequently worry whether their children will be able to maintain their Islamic identity in a country reputed to be rampant with vice and promiscuity. Muslim family experts advise parents to help their children make Muslim friends, and fully participate in American culture without compromising their Islamic values. By Omar Sacirbey.

What Obama should say to Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi

By Omar Sacirbey — September 20, 2012

(RNS) President Obama and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi have a lot to talk about, Muslim-Americans say, from Islamophobia and human rights for religious minorities to Islamic extremism and cooperation. By Omar Sacirbey.

U.S. Muslims, Copts appeal to rioters to drop violence

By Omar Sacirbey — September 18, 2012

(RNS) Muslim and Coptic Christian leaders in the U.S. are pledging not to let a spate of violent protests in some 20 Islamic countries derail recent efforts to improve the sometimes troubled relations between the two communities. By Omar Sacirbey.

Can you be a good Muslim and still have a dog?

By Omar Sacirbey — September 14, 2012

(RNS) It's "Walk your Dog In Front of a Mosque Day,'' and it's not meant as a joyous occasion. Muslims’ alleged canine-phobia is often cited by critics of Islam as an example of how Western values and the faith are incompatible. Yet many Muslims the world over have dogs, and dogs figure prominently is some Islamic countries. By Omar Sacirbey.

U.S. Muslims worry about fall-out from Libya attacks

By Omar Sacirbey — September 12, 2012

(RNS) After a mob of Islamic fundamentalists attacked American embassies in Egypt and Libya, leaving at least four Americans dead, Muslim Americans said the violence abroad would increase hostilities against them in the U.S. By Omar Sacirbey.

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