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] Nigeria Confronts New 'Drone Threat' From ISWAP The Islamic State West African Province recently deployed four armed drones carrying locally made grenades in an attack on the Forward Operating Base in the Wajikoro area of Borno, Northeast Nigeria, leaving about five soldiers injured. Africa Center
• [New] Failure to reach a deal with President Donald Trump to end Iran's decades-long dispute with the West could profoundly hurt the Islamic Republic, Iranian politicians and insiders have said, even if Washington is subsequently portrayed by Tehran as the guilty party. The Verardo Group's Substack
• [New] Countries in the Middle East - such as the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia - may find promising opportunities in Islamic finance. FinExtra
• [New] The rhetoric between Khamenei and US President Donald Trump has intensified recently with Trump threatening to bomb the Islamic Republic if a nuclear deal is not reached. World Israel News
• [New] Iran complains to UN Security Council after Trump threatened the Islamic Republic with bombings and tariffs if it does not agree to a nuclear deal. Exposing The Darkness
• The current threat landscape is defined by a dramatic escalation of military and political tensions between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Christian Warrior Training
• In the case of Syria, it could lead to an unsustainable situation that could end in a coup similar to that in Egypt - that is, a coup that opposes political Islam and favors Israel. Ara in English
• Russia said on Thursday that threats of military strikes against its ally Iran were unacceptable and warned that attacking the Islamic Republic could lead to potentially catastrophic results if nuclear installations were bombed. FDD
• The world will be watching as Doha once again takes center stage in shaping the future of Islamic finance in the digital age. The Halal Times
• The 11th Islamic Finance Conference in Doha promises to be a landmark event, providing a crucial platform for exploring the transformative potential of blockchain and AI within the Islamic finance sector. The Halal Times
• The Islamic Finance Conference in Doha will dedicate significant attention to the development of Shariah-compliant value-based investment platforms within the context of blockchain and AI integration. The Halal Times
• The ethical considerations are paramount in Islamic finance, and the Islamic Finance Conference in Doha will also address the Shariah rulings about the management of smart Waqf systems powered by blockchain and AI. The Halal Times
• 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
• 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

Last updated: 21 April 2025