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The discovery of artifacts that bear Islamic imagery is raising questions in the archaeological world. Findings in ancient gravesites have raised the question: Did Vikings who raided Muslim communities bring home a new religion, or are modern archeologists seeing interfaith connections as a way to counteract white supremacy?
Researchers at Uppsala, Sweden’s oldest university, claim to have found Islamic symbols woven into clothing artifacts found at 9th century Viking burial sites in Birka and Gamla Uppsala in Sweden. An ornate pattern woven into bands of silk on a buried outfit bears a resemblance to the geometric Kufic text spelling out the words “Allah.” Textile archaeology researcher Annika Larsson said at first she could not make sense of the symbols, but then, “I remembered where I had seen similar designs: in Spain, on Moorish textiles.”
By Jay Kuo
Ian Bremmer is an author and the president of Eurasia Group, a leading global organization providing insight and analyses regarding political, geostrategic and economic challenges around the world. Bremmer’s social media reaches thousands who follow his influential point of view on global issues. We reached him while he was traveling from the U.S. to Africa and Europe and managed to pick his brain on a variety of subjects, which have come further into play due to recent policy changes and shake-ups in Washington.
[DIGEST: The Atlantic, Smithsonian, Reuters, Army Times, NPR]
As Trump settles into office, the U.S. Army has loosened its dress and grooming guidelines, making it easier for Sikhs, Muslims, and other religious minorities to comport with their religious customs. These soldiers may now wear beards, turbans and headscarves.
[DIGEST: Washington Post, Associated Press, MSNBC, Huffington Post]
In what is likely Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s most incendiary statement to date, Trump called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.”