Upworthy Islam

23/08/2026

22/08/2026

As the Tour of Britain Women, running from August 19–23, reaches Lancashire, one Muslim women’s cycling group hopes seeing female cyclists compete will inspire more Muslim women and girls to get on bikes. Shabana Seedat, founder of Spokes Sisters, says high-profile women’s races can provide visibility and encouragement. Founded in 2023, the group helps Muslim women build cycling confidence through learn-to-ride sessions and group rides, with some participants over 50 and cycling for the first time.

(BBC)

17/08/2026

Not so upworthy but definitely worthy...

15/08/2026

Islamic Relief has launched an emergency appeal to support communities devastated by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in western Colombia. The disaster has killed more than 180 people, injured thousands and left communities facing destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure and urgent humanitarian needs. Islamic Relief USA is calling for donations through its Colombia Earthquake Emergency Fund, while its teams and partners already have an established presence in the country, including vulnerable communities in earthquake-affected Chocó.

14/08/2026

There are some things about Palestine you simply cannot understand from a distance.

"Hello, my name is Chris.

I remember the day I had the privilege of meeting Haneen and going to her village with Pastor Mitri Raheb and the Bright Stars of Bethlehem board. Haneen graciously gave us a tour of her village, Jubbet Ahd Dhib. At the time, the village was poor and also experiencing hard times. My husband Arnie and I are happy to be regular donors for Bright Stars of Bethlehem because we can assist students like Haneen, who are finding the support they need to pursue their dreams amid tremendous difficulties. Helping the younger generation of leaders in Palestine gives hope to the entire community.” - Chris Cowan

Haneen welcomed Chris' group into her village, showed them her artwork and introduced them to her family. They heard firsthand about the challenges their small community faced, but they also witnessed the strength of the women who had become a driving force behind improvements in the village.

And then came a moment Chris still remembers. “Someone brought our group some freshly baked bread from the village Taboun, and as we shared this, we knew we were experiencing a holy moment of understanding between cultures.”

This is the heart of authentic tourism. It is one thing to visit Bethlehem, but it is another to sit with a family, listen to their story, share their bread and begin to understand Palestine through the people who call it home.

Chris says the experience left a deep impression on her and her husband, Arnie, and helped deepen their commitment to supporting students like Haneen through Bright Stars of Bethlehem.

Read more of Chris Cowan’s Story of Hope: brightstarsbethlehem.org/stories-of-hope/chriscowan

This November, we invite you to experience Palestine beyond the places you have heard about and through the people, communities and stories that make this land what it is.

Join us November 2–11, 2026, for Authentic Tourism: Returning to Our Roots at brightstarsbethlehem.org/travel-to-palestine