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Ulaa Kuziez

@ulaakuzi.bsky.social
424 followers 153 following 92 posts

Story listener & storyteller | national reporter for @RNS.org covering Muslim American life | Formerly @stlpublicradio.bsky.social

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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 19h
“The more uncomfortable they are, the better,” Rep. Keresa Richardson, R-McKinney, said during a panel called “Don’t Sharia My Texas. www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/tex...
houstonchronicle.com
Texas Faith Fest speakers propose plans to make Muslims ‘more uncomfortable’
At Texas Faith Fest this year, speakers suggested policies that would limit Muslim religious practices and reshape the government's relationship with religion.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 30/09/2026
Last year, a pastor saw masked immigration agents arresting someone at her church and filmed them. DHS denied they were there. A year later, DHS finally acknowledged the incident — days after WH border czar Tom Homan claimed "no one has been arrested at a church." religionnews.com/2026/09/30/t...
religionnews.com
Do federal immigration agents make arrests at churches? Depends on what day you ask.
(RNS) — Over the past year, the Trump administration has issued contradictory and, at times, seemingly false statements about whether federal agents have conducted operations at churches.
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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Just 1% of current U.S. houses of worship were around in 1776. I visited several. Check out the 2nd of 2 @rns.org short videos: www.youtube.com/shorts/v_ScO...
youtube.com
These houses of worship are older than America. How they outlasted wars, schisms and lawsuits
YouTube video by RNS
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 30/09/2026
“It doesn’t surprise me at all that all this time later the department is choosing to correct the narrative in ways that favor them,” Pastor Lopez said in an email, adding, “they can’t gaslight victims, communities, and the American people into not believing what they are seeing and experiencing.”
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Another mosque sues after being denied permission to build, this time in NJ. In August, a mosque in OK also filed a federal discrimination case after being blocked. In both cases, anti-Muslim rhetoric dominated town discussions. religionnews.com/2026/09/29/n...
religionnews.com
New Jersey Muslims sue township for mosque denial, alleging discrimination
(RNS) — The federal complaint alleges the zoning board bowed to anti-Muslim pressure and violated the Muslim Center’s constitutional rights.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Another mosque sues after being denied permission to build, this time in NJ. In August, a mosque in OK also filed a federal discrimination case after being blocked. In both cases, anti-Muslim rhetoric dominated town discussions. religionnews.com/2026/09/29/n...
religionnews.com
New Jersey Muslims sue township for mosque denial, alleging discrimination
(RNS) — The federal complaint alleges the zoning board bowed to anti-Muslim pressure and violated the Muslim Center’s constitutional rights.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
"A single detention impacts far more than one person, Elias noted. “This is something that is dividing families. It’s not just one person. It’s a network of people. It’s not just one family that gets affected.” Beautiful story and visuals from @rns.org colleagues: religionnews.com/2026/09/29/h...
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David J. Bier @davidjbier.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Immigrants from majority-Muslim countries are more highly educated, work in higher-skilled occupations, and have reduced federal, state, and local deficits by $1.1 trillion over the last 30 years. cato.org/blog/legal-i...
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David J. Bier @davidjbier.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Trump has cut legal immigration from majority-Muslim countries by 96% from 21,096 legal immigrants and refugees in Dec. 2024 to 808 in Feb. 2026. Far more severe than anything in his 1st term, falling disproportionately on spouses of US citizens and skilled immigrants... www.cato.org/blog/legal-i...
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Jason Rosenbaum @jasonrosenbaum.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
BREAKING: THE SUPREME COURT SAYS MISSOURI MUST USE THE 2022 MAP IN THE NOV. 3 ELECTION.
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Been working on this for a while about pastors who see the racism and antisemitism of America's past as a feature, not a bug. Meet the Jim Crow Theobros religionnews.com/2026/09/24/t...
religionnews.com
The rise of the Jim Crow theobros
(RNS) — A group of Reformed pastors and influencers has wedded old-school segregationist theology with the hypermasculinity of the manosphere and the savvy of the attention economy to preach and sell ...
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RNS @rns.org · 25/09/2026
PARIS (RNS) – Pope Leo XIV and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on the need to promote peace and build ethical AI safeguards. But the pope also pointed to tensions between the Catholic Church and secularized France.
religionnews.com
In France, Pope Leo denounces 'scourge of war' in the Middle East
PARIS (RNS) – Pope Leo XIV and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on the need to promote peace and build ethical AI safeguards. But the pope also pointed to tensions between the Catholic Church and secularized France.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 25/09/2026
In which my RNS colleague @bmietana.bsky.social tracks the "Rise of the Jim Crow theobros." Fascinating an unsettling reporting here, but this is a key line: "…along the way, they are turning outrage into cash." religionnews.com/2026/09/24/t...
religionnews.com
The rise of the Jim Crow theobros
(RNS) — A group of Reformed pastors and influencers has wedded old-school segregationist theology with the hypermasculinity of the manosphere and the savvy of the attention economy to preach and sell ...
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This comes after the House Ways and Means Committee called on the IRS to revoke the tax-exempt status of Islamic Relief USA, Jewish Voice for Peace & others, alleging the groups have links to designated foreign terrorist groups and were “sowing chaos” in their support for pro-Palestinian protests.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 23/09/2026
NEW: Last month, I flew to Kansas to speak with Rev. Adam Hamilton, the megachurch pastor running for Senate — as a Democrat. He talked to me about "progressive evangelicalism," and I talked to his congregants. And here's the thing: he has a real chance of winning. religionnews.com/2026/09/23/h...
religionnews.com
How megapastor Adam Hamilton could break the GOP's hold on Kansas
LEAWOOD, Kansas (RNS) — While Democrats have long been considered a longshot for statewide races in Kansas, the Rev. Adam Hamilton's candidacy has proven unexpectedly competitive.
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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Got a story about how a clash with members of Congress led a Muslim charity to change its name. Was able to add some history-- like time Chuck Grassley investigated Paula White for alleged financial mismanagement at her former church religionnews.com/2026/09/22/m...
religionnews.com
Under congressional pressure, a major Muslim charity cuts ties and changes its name
(RNS) — Islamic Relief USA, a humanitarian organization with a $150 million annual budget, rebranded itself as the Islamic Development and Empowerment in America after members of Congress threatened t...
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
There are renewed fears that nonprofits are being unfairly targeted, said Sumayyah Waheed w/ Muslim Advocates. “What I’m hearing from other charities and groups that are identified as Muslim is a lot of concern around the scrutiny that they face, feeling like they’re in a fishbowl,” Waheed said.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
(RNS) — One of the nation’s largest Muslim charities has changed its name and cut ties with a network of international partners after calls from members of Congress to revoke its tax-exempt status. religionnews.com/2026/09/22/m...
religionnews.com
Under congressional pressure, a major Muslim charity cuts ties and changes its name
(RNS) — Islamic Relief USA, a humanitarian organization with a $150 million annual budget, rebranded itself as the Islamic Development and Empowerment in America after members of Congress threatened t...
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Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This is such a lovely Houston story
nytimes.com
This Houston Restaurant Is the Busiest Uber Eats Restaurant in the World (Gift Article)
Aga’s, an Indian-Pakistani spot, generates more Uber Eats deliveries than any other single-location business around the globe. A visit shows that’s only the start.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
45% of Michigan voters would not consider voting for a president who is Muslim, according to a new WaPo poll. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
www.aljazeera.com/amp/video/ne...
aljazeera.com
Critics in meltdown over US cheese giant Tillamook halal label
Critics have launched a boycott campaign against US cheese giant Tillamook over its new halal labelling.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Officers gave a Muslim inmate a disciplinary action for allegedly refusing to submit to the drug test while fasting during Ramadan, the charging document says. www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-jus...
michiganpublic.org
State civil rights agency charges Corrections Department with discriminating against Muslim inmate
The Michigan Department of Civil Rights has charged the Michigan Department of Corrections with religious discrimination and retaliation against a Muslim inmate.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 17/09/2026
Two notes here: 1. Hard to convey how unusual it is for an admin to be pitted against this many religious groups in *so many different ways* all at the same time in court. The Trump admin is an outlier here. 2. I’m a religion reporter, but unclear why this trend hasn’t gotten more attention.
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yonat.bsky.social @yonat.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Music has a long tradition of protest and calling out injustice, and Macklemore fits right in. religionnews.com/2026/09/16/i...
religionnews.com
Is ‘Free Palestine’ antisemitic? Here are 5 religion takeaways from the Macklemore cancelation
(RNS) — The charge that criticism of Israel amounts to antisemitism is highly contested.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Former Rep. Sander Levin called out the "terrible anti-Muslim bigotry" against El-Sayed. It's "emblematic" of the MAGA movement which "is lurching towards authoritarianism by restricting free speech, the rights of minorities," Levin wrote in a statement yesterday.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
While anti-Muslim rhetoric has become commonplace in Texas, a growing group of Muslims in the state pushing back. “We actually have to do something to stop this or else our kids are not going to have the same freedoms that we did growing up,” said Noor Wadi, a Dallas-based lawyer.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 16/09/2026
Incredible reporting from @fiona-ndre.bsky.social and @ulaakuzi.bsky.social: As Texas Republicans target Islam, a once-quiet Muslim community fights back religionnews.com/2026/09/15/a...
religionnews.com
As Texas Republicans target Islam, a once-quiet Muslim community fights back
(RNS) — ‘We actually have to do something to stop this,’ said Noor Wadi, a Dallas lawyer who is a key figure in the pushback.
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Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
NEW: Amid blowback to his racist post about University of Texas, Bo French is touting support from, among others, an influencer who has praised fascist dictators, and a Canadian who is so racist that his dad, a Christian college president, publicly denounced him. (Gift link).
texasmonthly.com
Texas Republicans Finally Rebuked Bo French’s Racism. What Took Them So Long?
The Republican candidate for Texas railroad commissioner has a history of making xenophobic comments. This time he came for University of Texas students.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I talked with journalist Rozina Ali about her new book "Seasons of Fury." A lot of great historical insight that helps explain this moment in America. religionnews.com/2026/09/10/i...
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
“The clear underlying sentiment is: We just don't want this mosque in our neighborhood,” said Ihsan Bagby, a scholar who researches American mosques.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Americans are still skeptical of Muslim Americans, with 42% saying Muslims have a negative impact on the U.S., a new Pew Research Center report shows. “By some measures, public attitudes toward Islam have become more negative than they were immediately after the 9/11 attacks,” researchers wrote.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
A must read about Haitians living under fear in Springfield, Ohio. religionnews.com/2026/09/01/t...
religionnews.com
Two pastors detained, a student dead: Haitians in Ohio turn to faith amid fear of ICE
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (RNS) — ‘All I want is to see my husband back,’ said Denise Gedeon, whose pastor-husband, Joubert Adrien, was detained by ICE — one of two pastors arrested during a weekend that also...
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 27/08/2026
Full story on today's protest: religionnews.com/2026/08/26/i...
religionnews.com
Clergy rally for Haitians in Maryland county amid fears of ICE surge
SALISBURY, Md. (RNS) — 'When I go to their house, they have to make sure it's me before they even go to the door,' Pastor Jean-Daniel Berard, who leads Passionate LightHouse of God, said of his church...
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 26/08/2026
Barber says a church that doesn’t stand with immigrants “being terrorized” should “take church off the sign and put ‘club’ up instead.”
Rev. Barber standing next to a group of activists and clergy.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
“I witnessed firsthand how this settler terrorizes the local community,” said Joseph Hazboun. religionnews.com/2026/08/24/s...
religionnews.com
Settler attacks threaten the West Bank’s final Christian village
(RNS) — As settler violence escalates in Taybeh, a Catholic priest and a papal charity are working to give Palestinian Christians security, jobs and community support to remain in the Holy Land.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Sabeel’s director, Omar Haramy, said that although Israel has denied entry to a handful of individuals over the years, it has never denied an entire delegation. “This is something you don’t expect in a country that labels itself as a liberal democracy,” he said. religionnews.com/2026/08/19/1...
religionnews.com
13 US citizens denied entry to Israel for weeklong trip to learn about Palestinian Christians
(RNS) — Amid escalating violence in the West Bank, an interfaith group, led by a retired Emory University theology professor, was turned back at Israel's border.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 18/08/2026
Via myself and @ulaakuzi.bsky.social: From "terror threat" to "civilizational threat," top Republicans escalate anti-Muslim rhetoric. Upshot: The kind of anti-Muslim rhetoric you're hearing these days is part of a shift that emulates similar rhetoric in Europe. religionnews.com/2026/08/18/g...
religionnews.com
From 'terror threat' to 'civilizational threat,' top Republicans escalate anti-Muslim rhetoric
(RNS) — The avalanche directed at El-Sayed added to a wave of blatant anti-Muslim sentiment in mainstream politics that experts say is unprecedented, with politicians openly decrying the faith in new ...
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
"I can’t say I’m fine. It’s impossible to be fine," said a Haitian parishioner outfitted with an ankle monitor by DHS A harrowing story from @kathrynpost.bsky.social religionnews.com/2026/08/17/a...
religionnews.com
As ICE closes in, Ohio churches line up families to care for Haitian kids left behind
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (RNS) — In Springfield, Ohio, ICE shifts tactics to stealth raids and ankle monitors. Churches are responding by helping Haitian parents line up temporary caregivers, preparing for t...
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
"The book describes Islam as inherently more violent than Christianity. In a chapter on the Middle Ages, the text describes Arabs as resentful or bitter toward Christians and Jews." apnews.com/article/defe...
apnews.com
AP Exclusive: US military base schools put new emphasis on Western civilization and Christianity
The Department of Defense is introducing a course centered on Western civilization and Christianity this fall in the schools it operates for military families.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt ordered state officials to investigate if the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim Brotherhood, “or individuals and entities acting on their behalf” present a terrorism threat. It's the latest action targeting Oklahoma Muslims.
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Liam Adams @liamsadams.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
As part of a collaboration between @rns.org & @texastribune.org, @elliehashby1.bsky.social reports on how the Talarico vs. Paxton race is a helpful dichotomy between the anti-Christian nationalism progressive campaign vs the 'Ten Commandments back in schools' camp: religionnews.com/2026/08/13/p...
religionnews.com
Paxton, Talarico tap contrary versions of God and Christianity in appeal to Texas voters
AUSTIN, Texas (RNS) — In a state where two-thirds of the adult population identifies as Christian and 45% say religion is 'very important' in their life, the candidates are asking voters to choose bet...
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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 10/08/2026
Doug Wilson preaches holy war, iron discipline, and male dominance. And one of his disciples runs the Pentagon.
motherjones.com
Pete Hegseth dreams of holy war. Meet his spiritual adviser.
Doug Wilson preaches iron discipline and male dominance. One of his disciples runs the Pentagon.
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Ulaa Kuziez @ulaakuzi.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
ICYMI: Rep. Andy Ogles, the Tennessee congressman known for posting memes of himself as a crusader and insisting Muslims “don’t belong” in the U.S., placed second, ending his reelection bid. Via @jackjenkins.me religionnews.com/2026/08/07/a...
religionnews.com
In Tennessee, anti-Muslim Republican candidates face defeat
(RNS) — Rep. Andy Ogles, who has said Muslims don't belong in the US, narrowly lost his reelection bid, while state Rep. Monty Fritts, who campaigned to ban mosques, placed third in the Republican pri...
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Robert Downen @robertdownen.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
A mosque in McKinney, Texas announced plans to expand in 2024. Few people cared. Those who did mostly worried about traffic. Then Republicans went all-in on Islamophobia. This week, a hearing on the plans became the latest flashpoint in the Texas GOP's fight against everyday Muslims. (Gift link).
texasmonthly.com
How McKinney's Approval of a Mosque Became the Latest Front in the GOP’s Messaging War
City council members unanimously approved the expansion of a nearly thirty-year-old mosque—over the objections of angry residents riled up by right-wing messaging.
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Liam Adams @liamsadams.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
TN Rep. Andy Ogles, who among other issues came under fire earlier this year for saying Muslims “don’t belong” in America, loses his high-stakes primary. GOP candidate Charlie Hatcher will face off against Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder in November. apnews.com/article/tenn...
apnews.com
Tennessee voters oust Trump-backed congressman, set fall matchup for redrawn Memphis-area House seat
Former Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher has defeated Congressman Andy Ogles in a Republican primary.
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Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 06/08/2026
The tragedy traces back to an ICE stop and deportation of Nixon Giovanni Pérez Paz. A year later, amid acute struggle, his wife, Glendy, decided to "self-deport." Weeks after reuniting, the couple was found dead in a field. “If my brother hadn’t been deported…Both of them might still be alive.”
motherjones.com
She followed ICE’s advice to self-deport. Five weeks later, she was dead.
A St. Louis mother took her three daughters to reunite with her deported husband in Guatemala. Neighbors found the couple bound and shot in a sugarcane field.
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Schuyler Mitchell @schuylermitchell.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
“If my brother hadn’t been deported, he might still be alive.” @hurwitz.bsky.social has a beautiful & important piece on Glendy Marisol González de la Cruz & Nixon Giovanni Pérez Paz—the St. Louis couple murdered in Guatemala last month after being deported www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
motherjones.com
She followed ICE’s advice to self-deport. Five weeks later, she was dead.
A St. Louis mother took her three daughters to reunite with her deported husband in Guatemala. Neighbors found the couple bound and shot in a sugarcane field.
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Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 06/08/2026
Via @ulaakuzi.bsky.social and @yonat.bsky.social: Abdul El-Sayed could be the first Muslim senator. Here are 5 religion takeaways from his campaign. religionnews.com/2026/08/05/a...
religionnews.com
Abdul El-Sayed could be the first Muslim senator. Here are 5 religion takeaways from his campaign.
(RNS) — The 41-year-old Muslim's victory in the Michigan primary was greeted with pride from Muslims and trepidation by supporters of Israel.
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Liam Adams @liamsadams.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The pastor of the largest United Methodist church in the country, Rev. Adam Hamilton, will take on incumbent GOP Sen. Roger Marshall in Kansas' senate race in November. @jackjenkins.me, @kathrynpost.bsky.social on the significance of his primary win: religionnews.com/2026/08/05/a...
religionnews.com
Adam Hamilton, mega-church pastor, wins Dem Senate primary. Now comes the hard part.
(RNS) — With a record-setting fundraising haul, Hamilton still faces an uphill battle to become Kansas' first Democratic senator in nearly a century.
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