Law and Religion Headlines

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Wednesday, 18 March 2026

Apache women seek court intervention as federal land is turned over for copper mining
(Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press)

Arkansas school districts blocked from displaying Ten Commandments
(BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today)

Religious Liberty Commission hosts sixth hearing on religious liberty in healthcare
(U.S. Department of Justice)

During all-night vigil, Muslim students pray, connect and unite in solidarity for Palestinians
(McKinnon Rice, Religion News Service)

Religious minorities in Bangladesh blame Islamist hardliners for recent violence
(Stephan Uttom Rozario, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

The US-Israel war on Iran is shaped by religion as much as strategy
(Riaz Khokhar, Al Jazeera)

Targeted atrocities against Orthodox Amharas in Arsi, Oromia, Ethiopia – analysis
(Girma Berhanu, Eurasia Review)

7-year jail, heavy fines: Maharashtra passes freedom of religion bill
(NDTV)

France, anti-cult association UNADFI loses again in court
(Bitter Winter)

Whether as president or army chief, Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing isn’t going anywhere. What are his credentials?
(FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)

Americans are less likely than people in many other countries to see gambling as morally wrong
(Jonathan Evans, Pew Research Center)

Massachusetts continues its double-talk on religious foster families
(Becket)

Cuba: Pastor arrested after recording and uploading Bible teaching video to YouTube
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)

Colombia: HRC61: Oral Statement during General Debate under Agenda Item 4
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)

‘Khamenei was supporter of minorities, especially Christians’ – cleric
(Article 18)

Faith restored? The evolving relationship between religion and young Canadians
(Cardus)

Hundreds to rally at Japanese Embassy in Washington in support of Family Federation Japan
(Religion News Service)

Antisemitic attacks bring deeper unease to Dutch Jews
(Claire Moses, The New York Times)

Ailing cancer survivor jailed in unsanitary Turkish prison over Gülen links, raising concerns of health risks
(Stockholm Center for Freedom)

Egypt’s ‘economic woes’ distract from religious extremist reality
(Seth J. Frantzman, Jewish News Syndicate)

Faith amidst conflict: the resilient Ramadan of displaced Lebanese
(Devdiscourse)

Campaign aids Lebanon Christians in crossfire
(Susan Korah, The Catholic Register)

Pacolli: Kosovo a model of success for peace and religious coexistence
(Balkan Web)

Nigerian bishops demand constitution overhaul amid rising religious violence
(Adeola Badru, Vanguard Nigeria)

Monday, 16 March 2026

Amsterdam Jewish school bombed, in 2nd attack in days on Dutch Jewish institution
(Philissa Cramer, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

CALL FOR INPUTS, deadline 16 March 2026: Call for Inputs on the Human Rights Situation in Eritrea
(Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, United Nations)

Greens plan to break with Church of England in assault on centuries of British heritage
(James Saunders, GBN)

'Basic respect must always be shown to girls and women', Moderator tells Holyrood
(The Church of Scotland)

Representatives of the UCCRO held a meeting at the UK Parliament
(Institute for Religious Freedom, Ukraine)

International Day to Combat Islamophobia 2026
(YouTube Video, United Nations)

Hon. Paulina Nuñez, IPPFoRB steering group member, elected President of the Senate of Chile
(International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB))

OIC Group at UNESCO marks the International Day against Islamophobia - at UNESCO Headquarters - Paris
(Organisation of Islamic Cooperation)

International Peace Conference for World Harmony
(World Fellowship of Buddhists)

Brazilian court issues nationwide order requiring federal hospitals to provide non-blood treatment options
(Jehovah's Witnesses)

The global landscape of state bans on religion and belief systems
(Brandon Taylorian, European Federation for Freedom of Belief)

Articles of interest - 16 March 2026
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Islamic schools, more parents sue Texas over exclusion from voucher program
(Fiona André, Religion News Service)

An attack on ordinary Jewish life and God in Michigan
(Jeffrey Salkin, Religion News Service)

Pope Leo to receive Liberty Medal for promotion of religious liberty, human dignity
(OSV News)

Bella Health & Wellness co-founder testifies at Religious Liberty Commission
(Becket)

Center for Public Faith partners with Baylor University and Truett Theological Seminary to equip leaders in public faith
(Institute for Global Engagement)

Italy: Another massacre of Jehovah’s Witnesses thwarted in Bari: LIREC expresses solidarity and closeness to the faithful
(Raffaella Di Marzio, The Center for Studies on Freedom of Religion Belief and Conscience (LIREC))

Does religious social capital succeed where environmental bureaucracy fails?
(Siddhant Sarang, London School of Economics Religion and Global Society Blog)

Amid uncertainty, diverse communities find common ground at gathering during intercalary days
(Bahá’í World News Service)

Friday, 13 March 2026

Nicaragua and Mexico: Two vectors of erosion of religious freedom (Portuguese)
(Tercyo Dutra de Souza, Jose Antonio de Moura Filgueira, and Mikhaila Davis Campos Silva, Migalhas)

Nepal’s Christians eye new government with cautious hope and specific fears
(Surinder Kaur, Christian Daily)

Northern Ireland to consider abolishing blasphemy law
(Aine Fox, The Belfast Telegraph)

Cuba among countries with severe and ongoing violations of religious freedom, according to a report by a bipartisan commission in the U.S.
(Ciber Cuba)

Gujranwala Christian family faces blasphemy threats amid property dispute
(Aftab Alexander Mughal, The Friday Times)

Religious Freedom Violations ‘Particularly Severe’ in China, US Report Says
(Eva Fu & Frank Fang, New Tang Dynasty)

Hun Sen warns of social rifts over influencer’s claims
(Taing Rinith, Khmer Times)

Filipino bishop calls on Catholic universities to form leaders who challenge unjust systems
(Mark Saludes, Licas News)

Lebanese Foreign Minister requests Holy See’s help for Christians in South
(Vatican News)

Eight Arab, Islamic countries condemn Israeli closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque
(Edna Mohamed, Al Jazeera)

President El-Sisi performs Friday Prayers at Field Marshal Tantawi Mosque in commemoration of Martyrs' Day
(Egypt Today)

Turkish aid groups host iftar for 1,000 orphans in Ghana
(Daily Sabah)

Man who attacked Michigan synagogue lost relatives in Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, official says.
(Corey Williams, Alanna Durkin Richer, and Bassem Mroue, WRAL News)

Arab Baptist seminary near Beirut sheltering Christians, others fleeing war zone
(Diana Chandler, Baptist Press)

Prime Minister Rama at the Traditional Iftar Table: “Faith is not a line that divide, but a table that unites”
(Krye Ministria)

Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
(Union of Orthodox Journalists)

Christian Rights group welcomes U.S. terrorist designation of Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood
(Silas Isenjia, ACI Africa)

Austrian teachers’ union calls for removing religion from schools, says headscarf ban “not enough”
(Shia Waves)

Man attacked Michigan synagogue a week after airstrike killed relatives in Lebanon, official says
(Associated Press)

Dutch police probe suspected arson after explosion at Rotterdam synagogue
(Associated Press)

Cemetery loses free exercise and establishment clause challenges to permit denial
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)

Contract giving millions to redefine controversial Spanish memorial site emerges amid fierce legal battles
(Fionn Shiner, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Scotland bishops say assisted suicide bill violates religious freedom
(Charles Collins, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)

Trump religious liberty commission advisor resigns in protest
(Newsweek)

Leftover ramen, too few Qurans: A 'humiliating' Ramadan inside ICE detention centers
(Nargis Rahman and Ulaa Kuziez, Religion News Service)

With March, comes gambling madness
(Scott Barkley, Baptist Press)

From Fort Worth to Damascus: HumanKind Global Faith Forum 2026 (Part 2)
(Marianna Richardson, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)

Cuba to release 51 prisoners in Vatican-brokered deal
(Daniel Trotta, Reuters)

Dialogue focuses on protecting human rights through combatting hate speech
(World Council of Churches)

Majority of Americans continue to say abortion should be legal in all or most cases
(Pew Research Center)

Tensions grow in Iceland as priest upholds Church’s moral teaching
(Michael O'Shea, Catholic World Report)

Etchmiadzin denounces Pashinyan’s attacks on Church at European Parliament
(Asbarez)

Volker Türk on China's "Ethnic Unity Law"
(X, UN Human Rights)

Maharashtra govt. tables Bill to ban ‘unlawful conversions’
(Vinaya Deshpande Pandit, The Hindu)

Interreligious dialogue in a changing world: An interview with Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad
(Indian Catholic Matters)

Nearly $11 million in security grants for Pa. nonprofits and religious organizations
(Ian Karbal, Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Discussion on religious freedom in health care
(C-SPAN)

The Salvation Army affirms commitment to religious freedom
(The Salvation Army)

Congressional Republicans echo anti-Muslim rhetoric as Islamophobic incidents rise
(Reuters)

Spanish evangelical leader welcomes expanded migrant health care but warns of ‘call effect’
(Chris Eyte, Christian Daily)

Walberg oversight leads to resolution of Moody Bible Institute’s religious discrimination case
(U.S. House of Representatives)

Thousands protest against proposed regulation of SA churches
(The Witness)

Wednesday, 11 March 2026

Papua New Guinea prime minister visits YWAM medical ship ahead of 2026 outreach
(Chris Eyte, Christian Daily)

Pacific Conference of Churches voices support for legal measures protecting “sacred and eco-communal space”
(World Council of Churches)

Why is China set to approve a new law promoting 'ethnic unity'?
(Stephen McDonnell, BBC)

Fifth Circuit allows religious class in United vaccine case
(George Weycamp, Bloomberg Law)

B.C. introduces bills to restrict protest rights near schools, religious institutions
(Mark Page, Coast Mountain News)

Judicialization of faith: religious freedom under siege by ideological policing (Portuguese)
(Rodrigo Rabello and Rafael Durand, Gazeta do Povo)

Healthcare on a lifeline: Egypt’s hospitals rely on Ramadan donations to survive
(France 24)

Al-Sisi says Egypt must serve believers and atheists alike
(Egyptian Streets)

Turkey’s president says antisemitism, like Islamophobia, is a crime against humanity
(Turkish Minute)

IDF tank kills priest during offensive in south Lebanon
(Ellen Teague, Patrick Hudson, The Tablet)

Qatar has more than earned U.S. condemnation for persecuting religious minorities at home
(Natalie Ecanow, Miriam Wahba, Foundation for Defense of Democracies)

Six reported killed in ‘heavy weapons attack’ on monastery in South Wollo, Amhara region
(Addis Standard)

23 new textbooks launched to teach Arabic and Islamic studies in Ethiopian schools
(Shia Waves)

Orthodox Christians killed in spate of attacks in Ethiopia
(Open Doors)

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