Law and Religion Headlines
Friday, 18 July 2025
The Druse: An insular faith, facing a fractured Middle East
(Euan Ward, The New York Times)
CEC endorses Ukrainian churches’ call for justice and peace
(Conference of European Churches)
Israel says it regrets deadly strike on Catholic Church in Gaza
(Danai Nesta Kupemba, BBC News)
‘A living and discreet Church’: Despite persecution, Catholic faith endures in Saudi Arabia
(Victoria Cardiel, Catholic News Agency)
Kashmir’s houses of worship need protection
(Vicky Hartzler and Stephen Schneck, Religion News Service)
These Russian clergy who said 'no' to Putin's war in Ukraine are paying a price
(Sergei Chapnin, Religion News Service)
Indian court seeks govt’s reply on plea against amended conversion law
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Nagasaki cathedral blesses a bell that replaces one destroyed by the US atomic bomb
(Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press)
In African politics, the rampant belief in witchcraft fortifies some and vexes others
(Rodney Muhumuza, Associated Press)
Highlights from Vietnam's Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs in H1/2025
(VietNamNet Global)
Wednesday, 16 July 2025
The (Im)Possibility of Measuring Interfaith Learning Outcomes
(Hannah Julia Visser, Gerdien D. Bertram-Troost, Marianne Moyaert, Anke Liefbroer, Journal of Interreligious Studies)
Faith & AI Roundtable: Report and recordings available
(EU and International Affairs Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Kenyan clergy protest President Ruto's plan to build church at official residence
(Fredrick Nzwili, Religion News Service)
‘Not religious offence’: Rajasthan HC junks plea against University question on Ram Janamboomi verdict
(Dinesh Bothra, Hindustan Times)
After string of violent protests, Kenyan churches urge protection of freedoms and rule of law
(World Council of Churches)
Kenya: Supreme Court ruling stirs Muslim outrage
(The Standard)
Punjab's new anti-sacrilege law proposes minimum 10 yrs jail which may extend to life; parents to be made party if accused juvenile
(Navjeveen Gopal, The Times of India)
Maharashtra: Government to enact stringent anti-conversion law, illegal Churches set for demolition
(Organiser)
Kyrgyzstan: Reform Adventist Pastor's 3-year jail term plus deportation
(Felix Corley and Mushfig Bayram, Forum 18 News Service)
Here’s what triggered the latest deadly sectarian clashes in Syria, and why it matters
(Associated Press)
Leaders of Holy Land churches condemn Israeli settler violence during a West Bank visit
(Fernanda Pesce and Julia Frankel, Associated Press)
Articles of interest - 14 July 2025
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Vatican cardinal urges Ghana to reset its moral, democratic compass
(Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Ban online gambling, Filipino bishops ask Marcos government
(Joseph San Mateo, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Bangladesh’s Hindus face intensifying attacks and forced displacement under Yunus-Led interim government – OpEd
(Shashwat Gupta Ray, Eurasia Review)
The role of inter-religious actors in addressing hunger and poverty
(JoAnne Wadsworth, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
Africa’s next generation speaks: Insights from the 2025 Africa Week
(JoAnne Wadsworth, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
Muslims join Christians for popular Marian festival in Indonesia
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Over 8,000kg of korban meat to be distributed to 4,232 low-income households in Singapore
(Claudia Tan, Straits Times)
China: Religious issues and persecution – Bimonthly Digest July 01-15
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Tanzania: CSW concerned at continued closure of prominent Christian denomination
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)
Uganda: Museveni tells religious leaders to use pulpits for progress
(Ismail Bategeka, Monitor)
Uganda's constitutional court rules polygamy is constitutional, citing customary law and religious freedom
(George Asiimwe, Constitution Net)
Kazakhstan bans veils in an effort to heighten security
(Albert Otkjær, The Diplomat)
Malaysia grapples with growing religious conservatism
(Murali Krishnan, Deutsche Welle)
Venezuelan evangelical council launches national initiative to advance religious freedom and strengthen evangelical unity
(Christian Daily)
Argentine Rabbi invited by Colombian leader to discuss ethical governance (Spanish)
(Fishel Szlajen)
Monday, 14 July 2025
Indonesia: Will the world’s largest Muslim-majority country slide into authoritarianism?
(Paul Marshall, Providence)
2024 Annual Report
(Parliament of the World’s Religions)
A collective call for peace and ceasefire from Tokyo
(Religions for Peace)
Thailand: The WFB President participated in a televised recording to cordially extend wishes to Queen Mother
(World Fellowship of Buddhists)
Anglican Church of Kenya statement on the “State of the Nation”
(Jackson Ole Sapit, Anglican Ink)
Knesset's new law on religious courts and what it means for democracy - opinion
(Anat Thon Ashkenazy, The Jerusalem Post)
Iran detains 21 Christian converts amid postwar crackdown, rights group says
(Iran International)
Maharashtra to enact law against religious conversions, demolish illegal churches in tribal districts
(Surendra P Gangan, Hindustan Times)
In deeply Christian Georgia, a Muslim minority upholds its patriotism
(Felix Light, Reuters)
Air strike on Buddhist monastery in Myanmar kills more than 20 people
(Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
HK police force debuts first turban-wearing Sikh officer in years
(The Standard)
Friday, 11 July 2025
Advocating for religious freedom—an inextinguishable, God-given human right
(Archbishop Anba Angaelos, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Canada considers tougher laws to address extremism
(Anirudh Bhattacharyya, Hindustan Times)
Newly elected Seventh-day Adventist Church leader reflects on challenges and faith’s healthy living
(Luis Andres Henao, Associated Press)
Report on curbing antisemitism in Australia recommends threatening university funding
(Rod McGuirk, Associated Press)
Filipino bishops reject ‘moral indifference’ over Duterte impeachment
(Joseph San Mateo, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Religious dimensions of peacemaking for a war-torn world
(Linda Bordoni, Vatican News)
Religious diplomacy and the Golden Rule: Insights from the 2025 Africa Week
(JoAnne Wadsworth, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
Knesset rejects bill to let all terror victims be buried in Jewish cemeteries
(Rossella Tercatin, Times of Israel)
Priests slam Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian Christians
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Indonesia builds Islamic center in Croatia
(Hawzah News Agency)
Kenya: Religious leaders demand end to chaos, offer to mediate for national peace
(Paschal Norbert, Catholic Information Service for Africa)
‘Do but don’t speak’: The impact of China’s 709 Crackdown ten years on
(FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
Sudan: Extremists demolish Pentecostal Church buildings in Khartoum
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)
Iran: Over 20 Christians arrested as UN experts decry targeting of minorities
(Article 18)
European Parliament calls for urgent protection of Christians and other religious minorities in Syria following targeted attacks
(ADF International)
Archons in Canada call for action on religious freedom and persecuted Christians
(Orthodox Times)
UAE concludes national training to build cadre of human rights experts
(Emirates News Agency WAM)
Wednesday, 9 July 2025
China scolds Marco Rubio for Dalai Lama comments
(Shane Croucher, Newsweek)
Thai minister proposes creation of “Buddhist Bank” to reform temple asset management
(Buddhistdoor Global)
Under heavy guard, Hindu pilgrimage resumes at site of Kashmir attack
(Shams Irfan and Joshua Yang, The Washington Post)
Muslim mob disrupts Christian youth retreat in Indonesia
(Evangelical Focus)
Calls to designate the Bishnoi gang a terrorist group shine a spotlight on Canada’s security laws
(Basema Al-Alami, The Conversation)
USCIRF sent a delegation to Kyrgyzstan to assess religious freedom
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Missing priest, murdered missionaries put spotlight on rising anti-Christian violence in Colombia
(Eduardo Campos Lima, OSV News)
Seven independent religious media outlets call for an end to trade between the EU and Israel
(Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Monday, 7 July 2025
Nigeria: Anglican bishop urges judiciary to uphold role as final interpreter of law
(The Guardian)
KAICIID and IPCR strengthen partnership to advance peace and interreligious dialogue in Nigeria
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
China: Religious issues and persecution – Bimonthly Digest June 16-30
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Russia: Religious issues and persecution: Bimonthly Digest June 16-30
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Iran: Religious persecution and issues – Monthly Digest June 2025
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Religious, rights groups, EU lawmakers condemn China’s meddling in Dalai Lama reincarnation
(Tibetan Review)
The threat of ISIS in a fragmentated Syria
(Atlantische Commissie)
Shiite neighborhoods in Damascus commemorate Ashoura quietly after Assad’s ouster
(Abdelrahman Shaheen and Omar Sanadiki, Associated Press)
Articles of interest - 7 July 2025
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Catholic leaders in Cameroon call on President Biya to not seek re-election
(Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
WCC has key involvement in 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council
(World Council of Churches)
HRC59: Oral statement during ID on the High Commissioner's report on technical cooperation in Colombia
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)
HRC59: Oral statement during oral update with the Independent Expert on the Central African Republic
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)
Many Canadians remain ignorant of expansion in euthanasia laws, says evangelical body
(Chris Eyte, Christian Daily)
Kenya: Muslim leaders reject Supreme Court ruling on children
(Ghetto Radio)
Anglicans support efforts to improve human rights in Iraq
(Anglican Communion News Service)
Vietnam: UN rights review should call for urgent reform
(Human Rights Watch)
Bahrain 'model of religious freedom and coexistence'
(News of Bahrain)
Israel: Ultra-Orthodox conscription threatens Netanyahu’s coalition
(AFP, Barron's)
Israeli leaders demand Australian action on antisemitism
(Bruce Hill, Australian Jewish News)
European Muslim leaders visit Israel to promote peace, condemn extremism amid rising antisemitism
(Ailin Vilches Arguello, Algemeiner)
Brazil: The implementation of POP and the fight for religious freedom (Portuguese)
(Correio Braziliense)
Friday, 4 July 2025
Australian PM vows 'full force of law' after arson attack at synagogue
(Paulina Kola, BBC)
Free speech victory in Australia for Billboard Chris as “X” post censorship overturned
(ADF International)
Dalai Lama, god-king for Tibetan Buddhists, will have a successor. That decision is consequential
(Sheikh Saaliq, Associated Press)
BBC visits heart of Tibetan resistance as showdown looms between Dalai Lama and China
(Laura Bicker, BBC)
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