Law and Religion Headlines
Friday, 13 October 2023
Chile: Condemnation of arson in two churches (Spanish)
(El Debate)
Wednesday, 11 October 2023
The role of religious freedom rights in building a free, just, and mutually supportive society (part t 1)
(W. Cole Durham, Jr., Viewpoints, a blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association)
The role of religious freedom rights in building a free, just, and mutually supportive society (part 2)
(W. Cole Durham, Jr., Viewpoints, a blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association)
The role of religious freedom rights in building a free, just, and mutually supportive society (part 3)
(W. Cole Durham, Jr., Viewpoints, a blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association)
Iraqi Christian religious leaders demand an international investigation into deadly wedding fire
(Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Bassem Mroue, Associated Press)
The worldwide consultations for the global synod reflect Pope Francis’ efforts toward building a more inclusive Catholic Church
(Daniel Speed Thompson, The Conversation)
Second Brazilian Symposium on Religious Freedom: Welcoming remarks
(Gary Doxey, Viewpoints, a blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association)
Religion and spirituality: Tools for better wellbeing?
(Bailee Blankemeier and Ilana Ron Levey, Gallup)
The Gaza Strip − why the history of the densely populated enclave is key to understanding the current conflict
(Maha Nassar, The Conversation)
As Israel presses Vatican on ‘ambiguities,’ Parolin calls for coexistence with Palestinians
(Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Important religion-news angles are everywhere, as Hamas triggers war with Israel
(Julia Duin, GetReligion)
Why Al-Aqsa remains a sensitive site in Palestine-Israel conflict
(Ken Chitwood, The Conversation)
Muslim groups in Malaysia, Indonesia call for end to violence in Israel
(Linda Yulisman and Shannon Teoh, The Straits Times)
Statement on anti-Semitic hatred in Canada
(Brian Dijkema and Andrew Bennett, Cardus)
What will happen to the evidence of Daesh atrocities against the Yazidis?
(Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes)
China’s repressive new law on religious activity venues: A Tibetan view
(Tsewang Gyalpo Arya, Bitter Winter)
Argentina: In the pope’s homeland, more Argentines are seeking spiritual answers beyond the church
(Luis Andres Henao and Natacha Pisarenko, Associated Press)
Groundbreaking Gallup faith & wellness study
(Religious Freedom & Business Foundation)
In Singapore, religious diversity and tolerance go hand in hand
(William Miner, Pew Research Center)
Mexico: Archdiocese of Mexico pleads with Catholics to help migrants
(La Croix International)
The Gambia: FGM ban in the Gambia under threat as calls grow to repeal law
(Sarah Johnson, The Guardian)
The Gambia: Supreme Islamic Council condemns anti-FGM activists
(Ali Jaw, The Point)
Colombia: Justapaz shares peace-building work in Colombia
(World Council of Churches)
Japan set to seek dissolution of Unification Church
(Kathleen Benoza, Japan Times)
Brazil: Election for Guardianship Councils exposes religious intolerance (Portuguese)
(Gazeta do Povo)
Russia is defeated in its bid to regain a seat on the UN’s top human rights body
(Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press)
Russia: Four now jailed for refusing to fight in Ukraine on religious grounds
(Victoria Arnold, Forum 18 News Service)
Monday, 9 October 2023
Israel vows complete siege of Gaza as it strikes the Palestinian territory after incursion by Hamas
(Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, Associated Press)
Death toll climbs to 800, IDF regains control of border towns as Hamas attack enters day 3; ‘complete siege’ of Gaza planned
(Philissa Cramer, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Citing Al-Aqsa Mosque, Hamas launches broad attack as Israelis celebrate Simchat Torah
(Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, Religion News Service)
Jewish diaspora mourns attack on Israel, but carries on by celebrating holidays
(Bobby Caina Calvan and Amy Taxin, Associated Press)
The Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem unite in a call for peace and justice
(Anglican Communion News Service)
Church leaders in Holy Land call for de-escalation, respect for human rights
(World Council of Churches)
Pope prays for peace in Israel and Palestine: ‘Every war is a defeat!’
(Christopher Wells, Vatican News)
Statement from the Muslim World League
(Twitter, Muslim World League)
OIC comment on developments in conflict
(Twitter, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation)
How we got to the ‘Al-Aqsa tsunami’
(Daoud Kuttab, Religion News Service)
Security Updates
(BYU Jerusalem Center)
Saudi Arabia: Historic Torah scroll on display at Riyadh International Book Fair
(Gil Zohar, Religion Unplugged)
Canadian repatriated from Syrian prison camp now faces terrorism charges
(CBC News)
China: A family shattered for 24 years – the story of Falun Gong activist Fang Bin
(FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
Japan: Why the Unification Church should not be dissolved
(Tatsuki Nakayama, Bitter Winter)
Japan: Curious to know Islam, Japanese visit Türkiye-run Tokyo mosque
(Daily Sabah)
Islamic State's expanding footprints pose grave security threat to Pakistan and South Asia
(Aparna Rawal, South Asia Monitor)
Mali crisis: Life in Timbuktu and Gao under siege by Islamist fighters
(Mohamed Ibrahim, BBC News)
Muslims in Kenya protest at Supreme Court over its endorsement of LGBTQ right to associate
(Evelyne Musambi and Brian Inganga, Associated Press)
Australia: Two cases on sex and gender identity
(Neil Foster, Law and Religion Australia)
Pakistan: 'We don't exist': Pakistan's Ahmadi minority living in fear
(France 24)
In the midst of atrocity crimes in Ukraine, will Russia be allowed to rejoin U.N. Human Rights Council?
(Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes)
Religious hatred: Türk urges a renewed social contract based on trust and respect
(Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations)
Iran is doubling down on headscarves
(Sina Toossi, Foreign Policy)
Malaysia: Be fair to all, King urges shariah courts
(Bernama)
Statement on nuclear disarmament and advocacy for a path forward
(Parliament of the World's Religions)
Yeshiva University president headlines tri-faith sustainability event in UAE
(Israel Hayom)
Articles of interest - 9 October 2023
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Uzbekistan: new punishments "correspond to international standards"?
(Mushfig Bayram, Forum 18 News Service)
Legal Journal Number 11 (18): September (Spanish)
(Observatorio de Libertad Religiosa de América Latina y El Caribe)
Friday, 6 October 2023
Iran: Terrorist network linked to Daesh arrested in Iran
(Tehran Times)
Nigeria: An atheist in northern Nigeria was arrested. Then the attacks against the others worsened
(Chinedu Asadu, Associated Press)
Environmental faith groups laud Pope Francis’ new climate exhortation
(Jack Jenkins, Religion News Service)
Philippine drag artist arrested for ‘offending religion’
(Ryan Thoreson, Human Rights Watch)
Kenyan churches seek inclusion of Constitutional studies in school curricula
(Winfrey Owino, The Standard)
Laos: Local officials in Laos stop worship, expel Christians
(Evangelical Focus)
India: Nonreligious struggle to find their voice and place in Indian society and politics
(Deepa Bharath, Associated Press)
Israelis are more divided than ever on Judaism, religion and state - poll
(The Jerusalem Post)
Israel is perennially swept up in religious conflict. Yet many of its citizens are secular
(Ilan Ben Zion, Associated Press)
Fearing ostracism or worse, many nonbelievers hide their views in the Middle East and North Africa
(Mariam Fam, Associated Press)
Persecution of the Baha'i faith in Iran - FCDO statement
(GOV.UK)
South Africa: FOR SA’s submission on draft marriage bill focuses on protecting marriage officers
(FOR SA)
Supreme Court of Mauritius decriminalizes same sex relations
(United Nations Development Programme)
Uruguay: Q&A: Jose Mujica on Uruguay’s secular history, religion, atheism and the global rise of the ‘nones’
(Luis Andres Henao and Natacha Pisarenko, Associated Press)
Japan: In secular Japan, what draws so many to temples and shrines? Stamp collecting and tradition
(Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press)
Brazil: Eliana Bayer creates Parliamentary Front in defense of religious freedom (Portuguese)
(Ariel de Souza, ALRS)
Colombia: National Day of Religious Freedom and Worship (Spanish)
(Municipio de Dosquebradas)
Wednesday, 4 October 2023
Daughter of 'jailed' Muslim Uighur scholar appeals for global support
(TRT World)
Pope suggests Catholic Church could bless same-sex couples
(Christy Cooney, BBC News)
Assembly calls for protection of Christians in the Holy Land
(Lutheran World Federation)
Israeli settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex on fifth day of Sukkot
(Al Jazeera)
Israeli minister holds Sukkot prayer service in Saudi Arabia amid warming ties
(Ben Sales, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Israel: MK Tibi proposes bill to strengthen protection of religious symbols
(Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman, The Jerusalem Post)
Orthodox Jews filmed spitting at Christians in Jerusalem's Old City
(Maayan Jaffe-Hoffman, The Jerusalem Post)
Israeli police arrest suspects for spitting near Christian pilgrims and churches in Jerusalem
(Julia Frankel, Associated Press)
Pakistan must confront blasphemy-related vigilante violence
(Menaal Munshey, The New Humanitarian)
Pakistan, court summons Prime Minister to crack down on “inauthentic Qurans”
(Massimo Introvigne, Bitter Winter)
Nicaragua's religious persecution requires international action | Opinion
(Kristina Hjelkrem, Newsweek)
The Myanmar junta should have no place at the ASEAN-EU Human Rights Dialogue
(Jonathan de Leyser, FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
Islamophobia in the West, Muslim world must be tackled, experts warn
(Mehmet Çelik, Daily Sabah)
Seychelles opposition leader Patrick Herminie charged with witchcraft
(Gloria Aradi, BBC News)
Niger attack: Jihadists kill dozen of soldiers in deadliest raid since coup
(Wycliffe Muia, BBC News)
Mexico church: Ten dead after Tamaulipas roof collapse
(Alex Binley and Vanessa Buschschlüter, BBC News)
The persecution of Armenian Christians is not just a religious freedom issue
(Joel Veldkamp, First Things)
October 2023 Newsletter
(The Association of Religion Data Archives)
A Nepal town imposes a lockdown and beefs up security to prevent clashes between Hindus and Muslims
(Associated Press)
India: Hindu extremists loot and burn down Muslim shops during religious holidays
(Middle East Monitor)
India: The BJP is ‘legitimising’ hate speech: Indian Muslim MP
(Hanan Zaffar, Al Jazeera)
India: USCIRF reiterates concerns on religious freedom in India, calls for release of religious prisoners of conscience
(United States Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Kyrgyzstan: USCIRF releases report on religious freedom in Kyrgyzstan
(United States Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Russia: Religious persecution and issues – Bimonthly Digest Sept 16-30
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Ukrainian churches criticise proposal on legalising porn industry
(Christian Network Europe)
Vietnam sentences Christian to 8 years for ‘undermining unity’
(Radio Free Asia)
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