Islam

Addressing the debate surrounding Islam following a summer of terror attacks and burkini bans, he stressed that French secularism was not at odds with the religion.

"Nothing in the idea of secularism is opposed to the practice of Islam in France, as long -- and that is the vital point -- as it complies with the law," Hollande said in Paris, stressing that secularism was "not a religion of the state that stands against all other religions."

"What we need to succeed in together is the creation of an Islam of France," Hollande said.

Namewee, whose real name is Wee Meng Chee, was detained on Sunday.

The video of his song Oh My God, which was first released in July, features him and others rapping in front of places of worship around Malaysia.

Namewee, who is known for profanity-laced music, says that Oh My God was intended to promote religious harmony.

Speaking onboard the papal plane as he returned to Rome from Poland, the Popetold reporters why he doesn't use the word "Islam'' when discussing terrorism.

The Secretary General of the Samoa Council of Churches, Reverend Ma'auga Motu, said the country's constitution must more clearly recognise Christianity and that Islam should be banned.

He said Islam poses a threat, despite only 0.03 percent of the country professing to be Muslim at the 2001 census.

But the General Secretary of the PCC, the region's grouping of Christian denominations, Reverend Francois Pihaatae, argued that the focus needs to be on dialogue.

"To create first that space where everybody can come in and discuss and dialogue," he said.

At least two civilians and five attackers died in the assaults, described as an attempt to mimic the deadly Paris attacks.

Security forces battled militants for hours in a major business and shopping district.

It follows warnings late last year that Islamists were planning a major attack.

IS released a statement online claiming the attacks, which it said were carried out by "soldiers of the Caliphate", targeting "citizens of the Crusader coalition" against the group.

The move allows the kingdom, which follows a deeply conservative interpretation of Islam, to cast itself as a leader in the fight against extremism.

Carson, a devout Christian, says a president's faith should matter to voters if it runs counter to the values and principles of America.

Responding to a question during an interview broadcast Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," he described the Islamic faith as inconsistent with the Constitution.

"I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation," Carson said. "I absolutely would not agree with that."

Mokhtar Belmokhtar and other fighters were killed in the operation in the eastern city of Ajdabiya, a statement from Libya's government said.

However, there have been incorrect reports of his death in the past.

The Pentagon has confirmed Belmokhtar was the target of a strike but has not said if he was killed.

"We are continuing to assess the results of the operation and will provide more details as appropriate," said Pentagon Spokesman Steve Warren.