Anti-Muslim bias in British media is off the charts. Will anyone step in? Submitted by Faisal Hanif on Wed, 03/11/2026 - 23:04 In a study examining more than 40,000 articles, a stunning 70 percent framed Islam or its practitioners in a negative light GB News ranked among the worst across every bias indicator, according to a new study from the Centre for Media Monitoring (Screenshot/GB News) Off Let us dispense with the polite fiction that British journalism treats Muslims fairly.
Red Cross Society of China to provide $200,000 to Iran for humanitarian assistance China’s foreign ministry said it will continue to provide assistance needed “in the spirit of humanity” to support the Iranian people in overcoming difficulties. The ministry added that the Red Cross Society of China will provide $200,000 to the Iranian Red Crescent.
Exclusive: Sole Muslim woman on Trump religious committee resigning in protest Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 19:31 Sameerah Munshi's decision follows White House's firing of Carrie Prejean-Boller, who insisted Catholicism and Zionism are not compatible Sameerah Munshi speaks at the Baccalaureate Ceremony at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island on 31 May 2023 (supplied) Off The only Muslim woman on US President Donald Trump's religious freedom committee is resigning, Middle East Eye can reveal. Sameerah Munshi served on the Advisory Board of Lay Leaders on the Religious Liberties Commission , and is leaving the role "in protest" of the White House's decision to remove anti-Zionist Catholic commissioner Carrie Prejean-Boller from the panel, her resignation letter, seen by MEE on Thursday, said. Prejean-Boller revealed on X on Thursday that the president, who appoints all the commissioners, has now fired her for what she believes is her stand against genocide committed by Israel in Gaza, and her pushback against those who call her antisemitic for her anti-Zionist views.
A British tourist facing two years in prison in Dubai for allegedly filming missiles hitting the city View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middle East Eye (@middleeasteye)
Democrats introduce ‘Justice for Hind Rajab Act’ as film about her death gains Oscar buzz Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 15:51 If passed, it would compel the Trump administration to reveal everything it knows about Israel's killing of the child in Gaza A guest holds a portrait of Hind Rajab during the red carpet arrivals for the film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' presented in competition at the 82nd International Venice Film Festival, at Venice Lido, Italy, on 3 September 2025 (Tiziana Fabi/AFP) Off US Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill demanding that the State Department explain exactly what it did to investigate the circumstances of the killing of Palestinian child Hind Rajab, and whether any Americans were involved, The Hollywood Reporter revealed on Thursday. The "Justice for Hind Rajab Act" will have to go through committees and floor debates in both chambers of Congress before it comes to a vote. It undoubtedly faces an uphill battle in a Republican-dominated legislature.
Iceland and Netherlands intervene in ICJ South Africa v Israel genocide case Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 16:57 The move adds to an expanding list of governments weighing in on the high-profile Gaza case before the UN’s highest court President of the International Court of Justice Yuji Iwasawa chairs a hearing in The Hague on 22 October 2025 (AFP) Off Iceland and the Netherlands filed declarations to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday, bringing the number of countries seeking to participate in the proceedings to 18. Both states filed declarations under Article 63 of the court’s statute, which allows countries that are parties to a treaty at issue in a case to intervene in order to present their interpretation of that treaty. The case, brought by South Africa in December 2023, accuses Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention through its military campaign in Gaza since October 2023.
Israeli military drops charges against soldiers accused of raping Palestinian Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 16:18 The five soldiers were indicted for 'severe abuse' after allegedly gang-raping a Palestinian detainee held at Sde Teiman in July 2024 Soldiers lock a gate at Sde Teiman detention facility, after Israeli military police arrived as part of an investigation into the suspected abuse of a Palestinian detainee on 29 July (Reuters) Off The Israeli army has said it is dropping charges against five soldiers accused of raping a Palestinian detainee. In August 2024, Israel’s Channel 12 published leaked CCTV footage purportedly showing a group of soldiers at the notorious Sde Teiman prison gang-raping a Palestinian detainee while forming a human barrier around him. The military announced the move as attention is focused on the war with Iran.
Muslim countries condemn Israel's 'unjustified' closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 13:10 Eight foreign ministers called the ban a 'flagrant violation to international law' and 'the historical and legal status quo' of the Muslim holy site The Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem is pictured on 18 June 2023 (AFP) Off Eight Muslim-majority countries have condemned Israel 's "unjustified" closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, saying Israel has "no sovereignty" over the revered site and must lift the restrictions immediately. In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates criticised Israel's decision to block access to the mosque compound and the surrounding Old City. The ministers said the restrictions constituted a "flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the historical and legal status quo, and the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship".
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.
