This Week’s Top Stories — Rocks bearing Caliph Umar's name discovered near Madinah, Trumps hints Iran deal is close and more | Friday, June 12, 2026 | 26 Dhul Hijjah, 1447 AH
Saudi Arabia discovers rocks near Medina bearing ancient inscriptions of Caliph Umar’s name
Saudi Arabia’s Heritage Commission announced Tuesday the discovery of 173 rocks near Madinah bearing Arabic poetry and the name of Umar ibn al-Khattab, Islam’s second caliph.
The finds are part of a wider survey across 150 sites in the Mahd and Madinah regions, with researchers documenting 1,774 findings including Islamic and Thamudic inscriptions, rock art and ancient caravan routes.
Why it matters: Caliph Umar was one of Prophet Muhammad’s closest companions, according to Sunni Islam, and led the Muslim community from 634 to 644 C.E., overseeing the expansion of the Islamic state into Egypt, Syria and Persia. Rocks near Medina bearing his name is therefore a significant discovery, further strengthening the argument of his strong influence on regional history.
Trump hints deal is close, cancels further strikes against Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump canceled further strikes against Iran Thursday, hinting a deal is close after writing on Truth Social that discussions reached “the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved.”
Both sides have traded limited strikes since Iran shot down an American Apache helicopter Sunday.
Why it matters: Trump said a deal is close, while Iran replied the opposite. Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said, according to The Guardian, that “Iran has not reached a final conclusion on the agreement.” Trump’s announcement is most likely his latest repeated claim that a final peace settlement is near — all of which have been dismissed by Iran since the war began on Feb. 28.
Somali referee denied US entry will officiate UEFA Super Cup Final
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, 31, who was denied U.S. entry days before the FIFA 2026 World Cup began, has been selected to officiate the UEFA Super Cup Final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on Aug. 12.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection turned Artan back to Mogadishu upon landing in Miami on June 6 over suspected “association with suspected members of terror organizations” without explaining further.
Why it matters: Artan was set to become the first Somali World Cup referee. He was one of the most qualified individuals for the role, as he was voted CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025. UEFA stepping in to give Artan a prestigious assignment less than a week after his U.S. barring was effectively a show of public confidence that an America under the Trump administration could not replicate.
Anti-Islam agitator Jake Lang arrested in Texas on terror charges
Anti-Islam agitator and far right-wing activist Jake Lang, 31, was arrested in Dallas County Tuesday on terror charges for allegedly threatening violence, causing public fear and impairing public services. He is being held on a $1 million bond.
He was reportedly in north Texas to speak on the trial of Karmelo Anthony, convicted Wednesday of murder and sentenced to 35 years for fatally stabbing a 17-year-old at a Frisco high school track meet in April 2025.
Why it matters: Lang, a pardoned Jan. 6 2021 insurrectionist, went from attempting to burn a Quran outside a Dearborn mosque in May to facing terror charges a month later. The agitator, who is still running for U.S. Senate in Florida, may see his hate-filled platform diminish sooner than later.
British man sentenced to life for Cambridge murder of Saudi student who volunteered at Kaaba
A 22-year-old British man was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for the August 2025 murder of Mohammed Algasim, a 20-year-old Saudi college student.
Chas Corrigan admitted he was drunk and had taken cocaine before unprovokedly stabbing Algasim with a kitchen knife at a Cambridge train station.
Why it matters: Algasim had traveled to the U.K. to study English for 10 weeks, and, before his travel, was a regular volunteer at the Kaaba in Mecca. The story sent waves throughout the Islamic world, as Algasim used his youthful energy to volunteer at Islam’s holiest site not long before his death.
Quran verse and Hadith of the week: Trusting God
Quran: وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا
“Whoever relies upon God — He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. God has already set for everything a decreed extent.” — Surah At-Talaq, 65:3
Hadith: The Prophet ﷺ said: “If you were to rely upon God with the reliance He deserves, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds: they go out hungry in the morning and return full in the evening.” — Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2344