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] US President Donald Trump, who has threatened to attack Iran if diplomacy fails, has signalled confidence in clinching a new pact with the Islamic Republic that would block Tehran's path to a nuclear bomb. The News International
• [New] S&P Global's findings align with a separate analysis released by Moody's in September, which projected that the profitability of Islamic banks in the GCC will remain strong over the next 12 to 18 months. Global Financial Market Review
• [New] Terrorism: Many African countries are affected by the threat of Islamic extremism and terrorism, which is often linked to global networks such as Al-Qaeda or ISIS. Drishti IAS
• [New] Drones have been widely deployed in the Middle East, by VNSAs such as the Islamic State, Hamas, and the Houthis, but also by nation-states like Ukraine and Russia, which have demonstrated the potential impact drones will continue to have on modern warfare. Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
• The Chinese Communist Party's efforts to erase Tibetan identity, militarize the Himalayas, and co-opt Tibetan Buddhism threaten the human rights of six million Tibetans in China and many tens of thousands in the Tibetan diaspora. United States Mission to the United Nations
• Tehran is prepared to address concerns about its nuclear program in good faith, and in return, expects credible guarantees that US President Donald Trump's administration will effectively lift crippling sanctions on the Islamic Republic. financialpost
• In recent years, entities like the Islamic State and the Kurdish People's Defence Units have taken advantage of Syria's decentralization, which Ankara perceives as a threat. Middle East Transparent
• The Islamic State has shown renewed vigour in Syria, with increasing numbers of attacks raising the risk it could find a way to free thousands of its hardened fighters who are held in prisons guarded by U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces, U.N. and U.S. officials say. Just Security
• In recent years, the proliferation of drone technology by violent non-state actors has revolutionized modern warfare, introducing a new dimension to the security landscape and allowing VNSAs such as the Islamic State, Hamas, and the Houthis to project force in the sky. Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
• 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
• 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
• Countries in the Middle East - such as the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia - may find promising opportunities in Islamic finance. FinExtra
• 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
• 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

Last updated: 05 May 2025