- The United Nations has planned a meeting on the situation in Afghanistan, including the Taliban‘s interpretation and application of Islamic law, at a meeting in Doha where the Taliban forces will not be represented.
- “The UN Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously condemned a ban by the Taliban on Afghan women working for the United Nations in Afghanistan, calling on Taliban leaders to “swiftly reverse” a crackdown on the rights of women and girls.” For more content and context on the recent developments in Afghanistan, consult our Editor-in-Chief, Professor Intisar Rabb’s “Resource Roundup: Afghanistan, the Taliban, and Islamic Law.”
- An Australian tourist in Indonesia‘s Aceh province has been charged on several counts of alcohol consumption and public indecency and could face a punishment involving 40 lashes. “The family […] has been asked to pay $61,000 in compensation to a fisherman who was seriously wounded.” For more content and context on harsh interpretations and applications of Islamic criminal law, consult our Editor-in-Chief, Professor Intisar Rabb’s “Resource Roundup: Islamic Criminal Law.” For more news blurbs relating to harsh applications of Islamic criminal law, consult our “Islamic Criminal Law in the News Roundup.”
- “Subang PAS [Malaysia] chief Zaharudin Muhammad […] cited Islamic law to call on the authorities to pardon former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is currently serving his 12-year jail sentence for stealing RM42 million in funds belonging to a former 1MDB subsidiary.”
- “According to the World Bank, Indonesia has [been reported to have] the most Islamic fintech companies in the world – perhaps fitting, since it’s also the most populous Muslim-majority country in the world with about 231 million Muslims.”
- “Gov. Phil Murphy [of New Jersey] signed a proclamation Saturday designating January as Muslim Heritage Month in a measure that advocates say will promote appreciation and awareness about Muslim traditions and contributions,” potentially including the laws and customs of the Muslim world.
- “The authorities in Iran have closed hundreds of small businesses, including cafes and restaurants, in recent months for allegedly failing to enforce the country’s hijab law on their customers.”