Global Scans · Religion · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Huge growth is expected over the next several decades as the world's Muslim population grows faster than every other major religious demographic, and as urbanization and rising incomes in developing countries with large Muslim populations mean more will be buying, rather than producing their own food.

• [New] The greatest threat the Islamic Republic poses to Israel and the United States is its nuclear program and ambition to become a nuclear power. The Heritage Foundation
• [New] The Islamic Republic of Iran is the chief common threat facing both the United States and Israel. The Heritage Foundation
• The Iraqi government's inability to address the underlying structures sustaining Islamic State development mirrors its failure to tackle the issues that will eventually undermine any progress within the Iraqi Security Forces. War on the Rocks
• As Operation Inherent Resolve approaches its expiration date, the Trump administration is on the clock to identify a future security arrangement for Iraq to mitigate the risk of an Islamic State resurgence. War on the Rocks
• Now and after two months after Trump's comeback to the White House and resumption of the economic war against rivals especially the Islamic Republic of Iran, as expected, Iraq became the first point of focus where the anti-Iranian maximum pressure campaign is pursued. ABNA English
• There is hope in Washington that the decision by the leader of a Turkey-based, U.S.-designated terror group to ask its factions to lay down their arms could ease tensions with Ankara and facilitate efforts to counter remnants of the Islamic State terror group. Voice of America (VOA News)
• Senior Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commanders have resurfaced threats to conduct a direct attack on Israel, likely to try to shape Israeli decision making and deter a potential Israeli strike on Iran. Institute for the Study of War
• The Islamic Republic of Iran is going in the former direction, starting with a converted warship - largely because it has no other choice. The National Interest
• The AFC's Murabaha financing comes at a time when global Islamic finance is experiencing sustained growth, with assets expected to see high single-digit expansion through 2025. Energy Capital & Power
• The potential shifts in territorial claims, military strategy, and religious sovereignty could redefine the Israeli-Palestinian relationship and alter the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. Trends Newsline
• An escalation of Iran's nuclear program poses a serious threat to international security and called on the Islamic Republic to halt and reverse its atomic activities. FDD
• Iran's envoy to the United Nations has condemned Donald Trump's threat to use force against the Islamic Republic, warning that any act of aggression will have severe consequences for which the US will bear full responsibility. Seemorerocks
• Ankara has continued to threaten military intervention in Syria versus the Islamic State and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurdish, People's Defence Units - which Ankara has seen as a terrorist organization linked to the Kurdish PKK, even if it fought the Islamic State. New Kontinent
• After Germany's election, the first-place party, the Christian democrats, has no majority and will need at least one coalition partner to form a government. CapX
• In a note, the rating agency expects demand for Islamic finance to remain robust in 2025, supported by sustained economic momentum and ambitious development agendas in core Islamic markets. BusinessToday
• Demand for Islamic finance will continue to rise as strong economic activity in the Gulf Cooperation Council and Southeast Asia is supported by diversification agendas, investment inflows and population growth. BusinessToday
• Forces aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have largely withdrawn, and the current de facto leader, Ahmed Al Sharaa, has warned that his administration will not allow Iran to reestablish its foothold. The Defense Post
• Israel is saying that a military option could be required to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons and will ask U.S. President Donald Trump for help in ramping up pressure on the Islamic Republic. investing.com
• Some observers credited the growing sadhu numbers with the renewed reverence for Hindu religious practice in India, while others speculated that India's high youth unemployment rates and lack of employment opportunity could also be driving young men towards the ascetic life. The Guardian
• The United States and India will be working together like never before to confront the threat of radical Islamic terrorism, a threat all over the world actually. The White House
• A Ukrainian delegation to the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington will make the case that Russia threatens the religious freedom of Christians who do not follow the Russian Orthodox Church. The New York Times

Last updated: 31 March 2025