Law and Religion Headlines
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
In southeast Pakistan, Ramadan brings Hindus and Muslims closer
(Arab News)
Europe’s top court rejects case of Christian parents in Sweden seeking reunification with daughters after 3 years separation
(ADF International)
Judge to decide if Penn must produce records in probe of antisemitism at Ivy League school
(Associated Press)
A federal jury awards $667K to Muslim men who were pepper-sprayed by prison guards while praying
(Associated Press)
EU recovery funds fuel frenzied restorations around Rome, including at famed basilica
(Trisha Thomas, Associated Press)
Engineer sues LA County over denied religious accommodation for “Pride” month
(Liberty Counsel)
With most new refugees barred, synagogues turn to serving those already here
(Yonat Shimron, Religion News Service)
Muslim father sues over exclusion of Islamic schools from Texas voucher program
(Fiona André, Religion News Service)
Jihadis intensify attacks against Nigeria’s military, killing officers and carting away weapons
(Chinedu Asadu, Associated Press)
As pope seeks dialogue and diplomacy, 2 US cardinals reject US-Israeli war in Iran
(Nicole Winfield, Associated Press)
How Iran is building a religious mythology around its new supreme leader
(Sune Engel Rasmussen, Wall Street Journal)
Lithuania calls for countering Russian influence on Orthodox Church
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Belarus: "Your long-time pastor is leaving your parish against his will"
(Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service)
A definition of anti-Muslim hostility
(GOV.UK)
MCB response to government proposed ‘anti-Muslim hostility’ definition
(Muslim Council of Britain)
Tackling hate and discrimination: the UK Government on anti-Muslim hostility and antisemitism
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
Vatican Secretary of State affirms he has taken "the necessary steps" for a dialogued solution in Cuba
(Ciber Cuba)
Women as Peacemakers: HumanKind Global Faith Forum 2026 (Part 1)
(Marianna Richardson, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
Tribal people in Indian state demand separate religious identity
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
African faith coalition weighs COP30 - and what comes next
(World Council of Churches)
Webinar highlights “Rights! Dignity! Action! Faith in Focus for Women’s Matters”
(World Council of Churches)
Why is Buddhism shrinking worldwide?
(Pew Research Center)
Evangelical body pledges to help eliminate drugs in St. Kitts and Nevis
(Chris Eyte, Christian Daily)
Religion in the war on Iran
(NPR)
WV faith leaders urge state senators to reject camping ban bill
(WDTV News)
Investigators again raid Shincheonji sect over alleged collusion with politics
(Yonhap, Korea Times)
Faith, family, freedom — and independence? Religion enters Alberta’s secession push
(John Longhurst, Canadian Affairs)
Kathmandu: after the elections, the Church calls for reforms and good governance
(Santosh Digal, Asia News)
‘Forcible imposition’ of India’s national song triggers resistance in the country’s northeast
(Rajeev Bhattacharyya, The Diplomat)
State lawmakers, interfaith leaders rally at capitol for budget inclusion of buffer zones around houses of worship
(The New York State Senate)
Sacramento to allow religious kirpan dagger in city council chambers
(Riley Palmer, CapRadio)
Who supports religious freedom for progressive causes?
(Columbia Law School)
China-appointed Panchen vows proactive move to Sinicize Tibetan Buddhism at annual two-sessions meet in Beijing
(Tibetan Review)
Baku Initiative Group: Pressure and prosecution against Sikh community cause international concern
(The Azerbaijan State News Agency)
Tuesday, 10 March 2026
EVENT, 10 March 2026: Faith in United Nations Human Rights Treaties (Oslo, Norway)
(Norwegian Centre for Human Rights)
CALL FOR PAPERS, abstracts due 10 March 2026: FoRB and the European Union
(Institute for the Study of Freedom of Religion or Belief, ETF Leuven)
Freedom of Religion or Belief and Women's Rights Take Center Stage at International Women's Day Events in Brussels
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Monday, 9 March 2026
McGovern, Kim lead bipartisan group of 10 House lawmakers calling on Trump Administration to make Tibet a priority
(U.S. House of Representatives)
Explosion damages synagogue in Belgium
(Koba Ryckewaert, The New York Times)
Lessons on courage, conscience and restoration: Day 2 of IRF Summit 2026 (Part 3)
(Marianna Richardson, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
The continued killing of Alawites and Druze highlights persistent obstacles to an inclusive Syria
(FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
PM warns of politicians trying to divide ahead of social cohesion plan unveiling
(Oxford Mail)
Can the UK’s ambitious push to build ‘new towns’ make room for faith?
(Clemente Lisi, Religion Unplugged)
UK media biased against Muslims, says group that analysed 40,000 articles
(Anealla Safdar, Al Jazeera)
Anti-Muslim hatred definition 'safeguards fundamental right to free speech', says Reed
(Richard Wheeler and Jennifer McKiernan, BBC)
Law and religion roundup – 8th March
(Frank Cranmer, Law & Religion UK)
Pig heads placed in front of mosques in France: three Serbs sentenced in their country (French)
(La Croix)
A church provides what the state cannot: free medical care for hundreds of Havana residents (Spanish)
(Iliana Hernández, Click Cuba)
The systematic erosion of Christian Serbian heritage in Kosovo
(Batko Slaviša Milačić, The European Conservative)
Egyptian Navy holds seminar to raise religious awareness
(Egypt State Information Service)
Egypt’s Grand Mufti highlights fruitful coordination with Jordan to counter extremism
(Egypt State Information Service)
The question of the Alevi minority in Turkey and their religious identity – analysis
(Vladislav B. Sotirovic, Eurasia Review)
Nigeria: “terrifying crisis of religious violence,” independent report says
(Omnes)
U.S. religious freedom watchdog urges Trump to highlight Sudanese suffering
(Anna Rees Green, Premier Christian News)
King of Bahrain delivers royal address on final 10 days of Ramadan
(Sharjah 24)
Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa urges "to leave churches open for the spiritual support of the faithful"
(Agenzia Fides)
Liberals move to end Conservative filibuster over religious exemption to hate speech laws
(Marie Woolf, Globe and Mail)
Faith leaders push for access to ICE detention centers during Lent and Ramadan
(Giovanna Dell'Orto, Associated Press)
Articles of interest - 9 March 2026
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Father's rights not violated by school's refusal to dismiss son early on fridays for religious services
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Muslim leaders call closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan politically motivated
(Michele Chabin, Religion News Service)
2 more Toronto-area synagogues hit with gunfire on Shabbat, raising alarm among local Jews
(Jackie Hajdenberg, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Ukrainian military chaplains share their experiences of wartime ministry with Estonian counterparts
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
CEC calls for restraint and dialogue amid tensions in Armenia
(Conference of European Churches)
USCIRF’s religious freedom report sparks dispute over US policy critique
(Paul Marshall, Religion Unplugged)
Tennessee Republican draws criticism from Democrats for Islamophobic rant
(Chris Stein, The Guardian)
Democratic commitments to religious freedom: Reflections from the IRF Summit
(Katherine Marshall, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
Iran: Religious persecution and issues – Monthly digest February 2026
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Cuba: Authorities deny pastor's son conscientious objection to military service
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)
Self-censorship and social control: The situation of freedom of religion or belief in Venezuela
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)
Americans should stop using the term Christian Nationalism
(Heath W. Carter, The Atlantic)
CT Catholic bishops oppose exempting school vaccines from religious freedom law
(Paul Hughes, CT Insider)
What James Madison can teach Americans about religious freedom today
(Corey D. B. Walker, Conversation)
Religious freedom is lived
(Israel Igualate, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty)
The Iranian revolution transformed global extremism, replacing left‑wing radicalism with religion
(Alexander Howard, Conversation)
Fox News: MAGA hardliner pushes ban on immigration from Islamic countries, US adversaries in wake of Texas shooting
(Andy Ogles, U.S. House of Representatives)
Friday, 6 March 2026
Court says Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis can't call civil rights group a 'terrorist organization'
(Matias J. Ocner, NBC)
7th Circuit: Prison's refusal to provide Muslim prayer schedules at state expense is permissible
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Indiana court grants permanent injunction in ACLU of Indiana religious freedom challenge to abortion ban
(ACLU of Indiana)
Who is behind the alleged genocide against Christian (Amhara) communities in East Arsi, Ethiopia? – and when will this stop?
(Habte H., Borkena)
Historic level MENA religious conversion: Implications for religious freedom
(Institute for Global Engagement)
Diverse initiatives are leveraging the influence and reach of religious leaders in addressing the global crisis of violence against women and girls
(Religions for Peace)
EU bishops welcome EC decision on ‘My voice, my choice’, caution against ESF+ for abortion services
(The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE))
European Day for a Work-free Sunday: Guaranteeing social cohesion across Europe
(The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE))
Nigeria: HRC61: Oral Statement during Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on FoRB
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)
Vietnam and Mexico hold potential for expanded cooperation, minister says
(Vietnam Net Global)
Talantbek Tashibekov on the religious sphere, secularism, and the fight against radicalism
(News of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek and Osh)
Is there religious freedom in Nigeria?
(Segun Dukeh, The Guardian)
A Pakistani martyr for religious freedom
(Knox Thames, The Dispatch)
Al-Azhar Al-Sharif calls for return to talks, immediate end to war
(Bernama)
Pope Francis engages in dialogue with Turkish president to halt war in Holy Land
(EWTN Vatican)
Church marks 10th anniversary of Missionaries of Charity sisters killed in Yemen, renews call for peace amid regional conflict
(Herald Malaysia Online)
Angola’s president signs repressive civil society law
(Sheila Nhancale, Human Rights Watch)
Lebanese Christian parties condemn Hezbollah over war escalation and threat to sovereignty
(SyriacPress)
Definition of ‘Islamophobia’ watered down by Labour to head off a free speech backlash
(Noa Hoffman and Jack Elsom, The Sun)
4 men arrested in UK on suspicion of aiding Iran by spying on Jewish community
(Associated Press)
British PM Keir Starmer praises role of churches in communities
(Chris Eyte, Christian Daily)
Government launch antisemitism review into schools and colleges
(GOV.UK)
Immigration through a religious lens
(Elaine Howard Ecklund, Rice University)
Sudan’s displaced find new ways to observe Ramadan as war reshapes cities
(Sudan Tribune)
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