islam
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An interview about the public diplomacy implications of news media decisions within the Arab context.
![Image courtesy of Javad Rad](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/Javad%20Rad%20Blog%20Photo.jpg?itok=nm_t73yk)
Javad Rad of the Payam Nour University of Bojnourd recounts his experience participating in the Arbaeen ceremony in Iraq.
![Image courtesy of Raimon Ribera via Flickr](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/rsz_isis_0.jpg?itok=zmmHUhqL)
The second of a two-part series by Madison Jones on the soft power of ISIL.
![Image courtesy of geralt via Pixabay](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/rsz_chalk.jpg?itok=CRSumRWn)
The first of a two-part series by Madison Jones on the soft power of ISIL.
![Photo by Pixabay](https://uscpublicdiplomacy.org/sites/default/files/styles/275x168/public/uploads/8SeptTWiPD.jpg?itok=q93_bYEw)
News this week focused on religion's role in public diplomacy.
With global oil prices flailing, Saudi Arabia is turning to another natural resource: billions of dollars gained from religious tourism as the kingdom hosts the annual hajj pilgrimage. “The money spent by pilgrims this year could be from 20 to 25 billion riyals (5.3 to 6.7 billion dollars),” said Maher Jamal, head of Makkah’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry - an estimated 70 percent increase from the previous year.