The Amana funds, invested according to Sharia, have more than doubled since 2003, to $1.3 billion. Lisa Miller NEWSWEEK Updated: 2:04 PM ET Jul 19, 2008 The funny thing about faith-based mutual funds is, well, that there's anything called a faith-based mutual fund. For one thing, Scripture is full of exhortations against accumulating wealth. The New Testament, especially, repeatedly reminds followers of Christ that earthly wealth means nothing in heaven. 'It is easier for a camel to go through… Continue

Five times a day across the globe devout Muslims face this city in prayer, focused on a site where they believe Abraham built a temple to God. The spot is also the place Muslims are expected to visit at least once in their lives. Now as they make the pilgrimage clothed in simple white cotton wraps, they will see something other than the stark black cube known as the Kaaba, which is literally the center of the Muslim world. They will also see Starbucks. And Cartier and Tiffany. And H&M and T… Continue

An American Hajj As I write this piece, my wife’s parents are performing the sacred rites of the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that Muslims are asked by their faith to make once during their lifetime if at all possible. Modern technology has allowed us to keep in touch, and the message they keep emphasizing in their phone calls is Islam’s remarkable diversity and its focused unity. In Medina (the City of the Prophet), where they landed a few days ago, Muslim pilgrims from 125 countries were prep… Continue

(Originally Published in NY Times, Dec, 2007) The millions of pilgrims in Mecca this week for the Hajj, an annual gathering of Muslims, can stay connected thanks to a temporary Wi-Fi mesh network covering a large part of the city. Hajjis, as the pilgrims are called, come to the city in Saudi Arabia from around the world for several days of religious rituals. More than 2 million gather each year. A network of about 70 meshed routers from Tropos Networks has been set up to provide free Internet c… Continue

As the Muslim world celebrates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in this holy month of Rabi-al-Awwal, it's important to remember his teachings and the life he lived to learn how to deal with the serious crises Muslims face today. Here is how I remember the Prophet I know from my reading about his life: Secular Education: The Prophet I know instructed Muslims to "go as far as China to seek knowledge". It was clear at the time that China was not a Muslim nation. It is therefore… Continue