Muslim nations criticise Israel for Al-Aqsa Mosque Ramadan closure Eight Islamic and Arab countries on Thursday condemned Israel for keeping the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem closed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar called it "illegal and unjustified". In a joint statement, they said the continued closure of the mosque was "a flagrant violation to international law...
High court rules in favour of journalist Owen Jones in libel case Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 10:49 The case revolved around an article by Jones, which cited BBC journalists who pointing to BBC Middle East online editor Raffi Berg as playing a 'key role in a wider BBC culture of 'systematic Israeli propaganda' Off London's High Court has ruled in favour of journalist Owen Jones on key issues in a libel case brought by Raffi Berg, BBC news online's Middle East Editor, over an article alleging that he is biased towards Israel. The cases revolved around an article by Jones, published by the news outlet, Drop Site News, which cited BBC journalists who pointed to Berg as playing a "key role in a wider BBC culture of 'systematic Israeli propaganda". The court rejected Berg's lawyers' core argument that Jones' reporting presented him as "a rogue journalist and editor who deliberately disregards and breaches the duties of accuracy and impartiality that he knows are required of him as an Editor for BBC News online, with the purpose of presenting news reports falsely favourable to Israel that are intentionally biased and that deliberately ignore contrary evidence".
Qatar launches emergency aid for displaced families in Lebanon Qatar has launched an urgent humanitarian response to support more than 40,500 families displaced by escalating military violence in Lebanon, the Embassy of Qatar in Lebanon said. “In light of the sharp military escalation in the sisterly Republic of Lebanon and the resulting massive displacement, the State of Qatar has announced an urgent humanitarian response to support affected families,” the embassy said in a statement. The aid, provided through the Qatar Fund for Development with Qatar Charity and the Qatar Red Crescent Society, includes more than 12,000 food baskets as well as blankets, mattresses and hygiene kits.
UK government loses appeal over Kneecap terror charges Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 03/11/2026 - 16:16 Singer Liam Og O hAnnaidh had been accused of showing support for Hezbollah at a London gig Liam Og O hAnnaidh (R) arrives for a press conference with bandmate JJ O Dochartaigh (L) at the Conway Mill in Belfast on 11 March 2026 (AFP) Off The British government has lost an appeal against a court's decision to throw out a terrorism charge against a member of the Irish rap group Kneecap. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, whose stage name is Mo Chara, was initially charged over allegations that he waved the flag of Hezbollah during a concert in London in November 2024. The Lebanese group is a proscribed organisation in the UK and the 28-year-old was charged last May under the Terrorism Act, which says it is a criminal offence to display an article which arouses reasonable suspicion that someone supports a proscribed organisation.
'If I don't work, I go hungry': The migrant workers risking their lives to keep the Gulf running Submitted by Areeb Ullah on Wed, 03/11/2026 - 13:54 Migrant workers from across the Gulf share the experience of having no choice but to work despite the threat posed by Iranian missile strikes Migrant workers sit on a wall against the backdrop of the city skyline as they take a break in Dubai on March 11, 2026 (AFP) Off The day after the missiles struck the Gulf, a Bangladeshi delivery rider in Dubai was back on his bike. The roads were quieter than usual, but the tips were better. But for a Pakistani rider who has spent four years working 12-hour shifts in the same city, there was never really a choice.
Advocacy groups sue Trump administration to maintain temporary visas for Somalis Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 03/10/2026 - 17:28 The temporary protected status programme is scheduled to end on 17 March A view of the sign in front of the US Department of Homeland Security in southeast Washington, DC, on 15 February 2026 (Ken Cedeno/Reuters) Off Advocacy groups on Monday filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's shutdown of the temporary protected status (TPS) programme for Somalis in the US. Three Somali TPS holders, one Somali TPS applicant, and the groups African Communities Together and Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans said in their complaint that Somalia is "currently facing a humanitarian crisis with roots that stretch back decades". "In recognition of ongoing armed conflict and other extraordinary conditions threatening the safety of Somali nationals, the United States government designated Somalia for TPS in 1991," they wrote.
Half of UK news articles about Muslims are biased, landmark study finds Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 03/10/2026 - 12:14 Study of 40,000 articles from across 30 media outlets finds 'Muslims are systematically portrayed through lenses of conflict, threat, and controversy' A photograph taken on 16 June shows the website of British opinion-oriented television and radio news channel GB News (AFP) Off A new study of 40,000 articles from across 30 media outlets in Britain has found that almost half published about Muslims in the UK contained a "high degree of bias", and 70 percent associated Muslims or Islam with negative aspects or behaviours. The Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM), a nonprofit organisation analysing the media's portrayal of Muslims, says in its report published on Monday that "Muslims are systematically portrayed through lenses of conflict, threat, and controversy" in the media. The report defines "bias" in terms of the "presence of negative associations with Islam or Muslims, use of broad generalisations rather than specific attribution, instances of misrepresentation, omission of contextual information or diverse perspectives, and quality of headlines".
Pro-Israel US congressman says ‘Muslims don’t belong in America’ Submitted by Elis Gjevori on Tue, 03/10/2026 - 07:09 Democrats condemn Islamophobic remarks by US lawmaker Andy Ogles amid a surge in anti-Muslim rhetoric online since the Israeli-US war on Iran began Andy Ogles walks through the US Capitol on February 03, 2026 in Washington, DC (Heather Diehl/Getty Images via AFP) Off A Republican member of the United States Congress has sparked widespread condemnation after declaring on social media that Muslims have no place in American society. Andy Ogles wrote on X on Monday that “Muslims don’t belong in American society,” adding in the same post that “Pluralism is a lie. ” It was not immediately clear what prompted the remarks.
UK government unveils new definition of anti-Muslim hatred Submitted by Areeb Ullah on Mon, 03/09/2026 - 16:41 Steve Reed tells House of Commons that new definition will extend to those who are perceived to be Muslim Britain's Housing and Communities Secretary Steve Reed speaks during a televsion interview on the first day of the annual Labour Party conference in Liverpool, northwest England, on 28 September 2025 (AFP) Off The UK government has introduced a new definition of anti-Muslim hate after months of consultation and controversy surrounding the process. Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, Communities Secretary Steve Reed unveiled the plan to parliamentarians. "Religious hate crimes targeted at Muslims are also at record levels, with almost half of these crimes targeted towards the Muslim community and many living in fear that they will be targeted because of how they look or assumptions over where they come from," Reed said in the House of Commons.
Turkish man in London Quran burning case was apparently convicted of wife’s killing Submitted by Ragip Soylu on Fri, 03/06/2026 - 12:44 Hamit Coskun, hailed in UK as a free speech champion, was jailed in Turkey for strangling his wife, according to court documents Hamit Coskun, pictured during an interview on GB News in June 2025 following his conviction which was overturned on appeal (YouTube) Off A Turkish man hailed as a champion of free speech in the UK after being cleared of criminal charges over the burning of a copy of the Quran outside his country’s London embassy was previously convicted of killing his wife, according to court documents seen by Middle East Eye. Hamit Coskun, 51, was sentenced to 16 years in prison by an Istanbul court in 2007 after being found guilty of aggravated homicide over the death of Vesia Coskun in September 2002, according to the Turkish court documents. Coskun, who is half Kurdish and half Armenian, was released in 2009, having spent nearly seven years in prison following his arrest in 2002.
Israel used white phosphorus in Lebanon: Report Human Rights Watch said on Monday that the Israeli military fired white phosphorus munitions over residential areas in southern Lebanon earlier this month which is illegal under international law. According to the rights group, the incident occurred on March 3 in the town of Yohmor. Investigators said they verified and geolocated seven images showing airburst white phosphorus munitions detonating above a populated neighbourhood.
Unicef says reports indicate 180 children killed in Iran The UN children’s agency says reports indicate that nearly 180 children have been killed in Iran since the conflict escalated. Unicef said the figures also suggest many more children have been wounded during the violence. "We urgently call on all parties to abide by their obligations under international law and ensure the protection of civilians.
Judge blocks Florida governor from labelling Cair a terrorist organisation Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/05/2026 - 17:32 Such a move infringes on a US-based group's ability to exercise its rights, the judge said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, left, and US President Donald Trump speak to reporters outside the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida, on 1 July 2025 (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP) Off A federal judge has decided that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis cannot unilaterally designate the largest Muslim-American civil rights organisation as a "terrorist" group because it infringes on First Amendment rights. The temporary injunction on Wednesday blocks DeSantis's executive order signed in December , designating the Council on American Islamic Relations (Cair) as a terrorist organisation, and opening up a potential pathway for state prosecutions of anyone believed to be supporting them. “The question before this Court is whether the Governor can, in a non-emergency situation, unilaterally designate one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in America as a ‘terrorist organization’ and withhold government benefits from anyone providing material support or resources to the group,” judge Mark Walker wrote in his order.
Is Francesca Albanese being punished for being principled? Submitted by Ahmed Abu Artema on Fri, 02/27/2026 - 06:51 Falsely accused of antisemitism over a doctored clip, the UN rapporteur remains under attack for demanding sanctions and accountability for Israel's genocide in Gaza United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, attends a press conference at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, on 15 September 2025 (Pierre Albouy/Reuters) Off On 11 February, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot issued a statement demanding the resignation of Francesca Albanese , the United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories since 1967. He claimed that Albanese described Israel as the " common enemy of humanity ".
Open University reverses UKLFI-influenced 'ancient Palestine' ban Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 13:52 UK Lawyers for Israel said the term 'ancient Palestine' could create a 'hostile or offensive learning environment for Jewish and Israeli students' The Robert Hooke Building at the Open University campus in Milton Keynes, spring 2013 (Wikimedia Commons) Off The Open University (OU) has appeared to reverse a commitment it made to pro-Israel lobby group UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) to stop using the term "ancient Palestine", Novara Media reported. According to the report, on 30 November 2025, UKLFI wrote to the OU complaining that the term "ancient Palestine" could create a "hostile or offensive learning environment for Jewish and Israeli students". UKLFI claimed the OU could be breaching the Equality Act.
Rights group says over 1,000 civilians killed in Iran since Israeli-US attacks began At least 1,097 civilians have been killed across Iran since the Israeli-US war began, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The organisation said the toll includes 181 children under the age of 10. Human Rights Activists News Agency added that investigators are still examining hundreds of additional deaths and injuries reported from across the country.
'How can I move on? ': Palestine Action's Fatema Rajwani on life after prison Submitted by Katherine Hearst on Fri, 02/20/2026 - 14:42 Rajwani is the youngest of six defendants cleared of aggravated burglary over break-in at Israeli arms factory " class="video-embed-field-lazy container-element"> Fatema Rajwani speaks to Middle East Eye, 17 February, London (MEE) Off Fatema Rajwani turned 20 the day before she broke into an Israeli -owned arms factory on 6 August 2024. Then a film student at Goldsmiths University in London, she was living at home with her family, not spending more than a couple of months away from them at a time.
