Chechen warlord and Putin ally Ramzan Kadyrov boasted of his soldiers' part in Russia's war in Ukraine. But many Chechen and Tatar Muslims are defending Ukraine and settling scores with the rulers of their homelands.

The fate of Muslims, women and the media are just three of the issues under the spotlight in India's regional elections. The state of Uttar Pradesh perhaps best sums up what's at stake. It has been ruled by PM Modi's Hindu nationalist BJP for the past five years but today, there's increasing concern for the rights of Muslims in particular. Our guests discuss what's at stake in these elections.

In Germany, protests about the Israel-Palestine conflict involved antisemitic outbursts. Local Muslim communities have distanced themselves from these.

Outside the "House of Wisdom" mosque in Berlin, a medical team made up of Libyans, Syrians and Armenians carry out free rapid testing for a steady stream of worshippers lining up with prayer mats.

Surging coronavirus cases in many parts of the world overshadow the start of the holy month of Ramadan. From Saudi Arabia to Turkey, many Muslims around the world started the month of prayer and fasting after religious leaders confirmed it would begin on Tuesday, with many countries facing virus restrictions.

Facebook has said it blocked a group of Chinese hackers that used the platform to target Uyghur activists living abroad and compromise their security by using surveillance software.

Sri Lankan Muslims say that a government move to prevent Muslim women from wearing a burqa or niqab is a new act of discrimination against their community, which accounts for 10 percent of the 21 million, Buddhist-majority population.

Recent surveys indicate strongly that across the Middle East and Iran, almost half the population is loosening their ties to Islam. Governments have reacted differently to calls for reforms of institutional religion.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Sunday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Sunday.⁣

Bangladesh opens its first Islamic school for transgender worshippers, with clerics calling it a first step towards integrating the marginalised group into society. The madrasa is one of a series of recent moves in Bangladesh to make life easier for the Muslim-majority nation's up to 1.5 million transgender people.

Only a small number of faithful are taking part in this year's hajj, usually one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world. Authorities have dramatically downsized the pilgrimage to prevent fresh virus outbreaks.

Here is why you should pick up a copy of The Guardian on Friday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on the newsstands on Friday.