US troops have started joint operations with Iraqi forces both Arab and Kurdish in disputed northern zones aiming to boost trust and reduce tensions between Sunni Arabs and Kurds, the army said Tuesday. The deal marks a new chapter in the US military's role since the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and could once again see them involved ...

Egypt's top cleric wants Muslims to answer the call to prayer, but not when its ringing on their cellphones. Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa issued a fatwa, or a religious edict, on Wednesday urging Muslims to do away with a popular fad — Quranic verses or the ...

Iraq's Sunni Arab vice president threatened Sunday to veto the country's election law unless changes are made giving Iraqis living abroad more guaranteed seats in parliament, throwing the January vote into question. The veto threat comes a week after lawmakers passed the long-delayed ...

Egypt's Al-Azhar University, the most prestigious centre of religious learning in the Sunni Muslim world, said on Thursday it will ban the face veil from female-only classrooms and residences. "The Supreme Council of Al-Azhar has decided to ban students and teachers from wearing the niqab inside female-only classrooms, that are taught by women only," a statement said. The ban ...