For the last year, Iraq has been consumed by violence that has pitted Shi'ite Muslims against Sunni Muslims. Some see the battle as religious, dating to the 17th century disagreement over who would succeed the Prophet Muhammad. Others say it is a modern day fight for political dominance.

For the first time, the Philippine government has offered self-determination to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, or MILF, which is fighting for a Muslim homeland in the southern Philippines. While both sides welcome the development as a breakthrough, much work remains ahead to hammer out the details of any settlement.

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney made an unannounced visit today to Pakistan, where he went straight into security-related talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

Israeli police have clashed with Palestinians during violent protests in disputed East Jerusalem for the second straight day. As Robert Berger reports from VOA's Jerusalem bureau, the unrest is centered around a hotly disputed holy place in the city claimed by both Muslims and Jews.

A trial has opened in France brought by Muslim groups against a satirical weekly magazine that published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

Christians in the Middle East should be "courageous and steadfast" and avoid the temptation to join an exodus that has seen their population sharply decline across the region in recent years, Pope Benedict XVI said Thursday.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf today called for "harmony" among Muslims and expressed "deep concern" about the power struggles in Iraq and Lebanon.

At a time when many government and public bodies are recognising the importance of engaging with faith communities, in this week's BMJ two experts consider the case for faith based health services for Muslims.