In a former life, when I was working on a PhD in South and Southeast Asian literature, I had the opportunity to visit many different Muslim countries. It was always struck by how Islamic culture ...

(RNS) A new prayer mat lights up when facing Mecca, helping Muslims to pray properly. By Lauren Markoe. (RNS) Devout Muslims pray five times a day, facing the holy city of Mecca. But what if you don’t ...

(RNS) — A Muslim convert, Mustafa Dustin Craun cherishes a brown prayer rug he bought on his first Umrah pilgrimage to the sacred site of Mecca more than 15 years ago. Unlike the Hajj, the mandatory ...

Though hiking is an outdoor activity that takes place almost entirely on public lands, it’s also one that’s long struggled with an accessibility crisis. Be it distance, cost or cultural climate, the ...

Two years ago, product designer Myhra Mirza was searching for a portable prayer mat to bring with her on vacation, when she noticed that the options were either super traditional, which she loves and ...

c. 2012 Religion News Service (RNS) Devout Muslims pray five times a day, facing the holy city of Mecca. But what if you don't know what direction Mecca is? Try the new illuminated prayer mat.