Al Jazeera English

A European settler state in the heart of Palestine, ruled by religious zealots, fueled by Western arms. A divided Muslim world fights back. Sound familiar? We’re in 1099, when the First Crusade conquered Jerusalem and subjugated its native population. Just 88 years later, it was lost to Saladin’s newly united Muslim army. Why did the Crusaders fail to build an everlasting kingdom, and will Zionism meet the same fate?

In recent decades, traditional religious frameworks have steadily lost influence in Western societies. At the same time, we’ve seen the emergence of social justice movements focused on uncovering and dismantling systemic forms of oppression. Some argue that these secular movements are a replacement for faith. Others say they don’t offer the same moral depth, cohesion and forgiveness provided by traditional religion.

Tracing the history of sugar, this documentary explores its role in fueling colonization, the rise of the industrial revolution, and the perpetuation of systemic racial inequality. Experts examine how the global sugar economy evolved from the 15th-century plantation model into a modern industry that continues to shape labor practices, diets, and international economic dependencies.Combining powerful testimony, rare archival material, expert interviews, and on-the-ground reporting, the series exposes the true cost of our centuries-long obsession with sugar, while at the same time spotlighting communities fighting to reclaim land, dignity and fair means of production.

Dr. John Esposito explores Islam's influence on the US with Soraya Salam. They discuss a variety of topics ranging from the reasons behind Dr. Esposito's passionate interest in Islam, his time advising US President Joe Biden when he was a senator, the Muslim origins of some of the most common traditions in Europe and the US, and the globalisation of islamophobia.Dr. John Esposito is a distinguished university professor at Georgetown University. He's a founding director of the Al-Waleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. He's also authored over 50 books on religion, Islam, and Islamophobia.

In the second episode of Centre Stage, Dr. Dalia Fahmy discusses what is it like to be a Muslim in the US, with Sami Zeidan. What form of discrimination are Muslims facing? How is islamophobia being used for political gain? And is there a role for Muslims to play to combat islamophobia?.