Law and Religion Headlines
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
Campaign launched for the release of Christian convert from Egyptian prison
(Uzay Bulut, PJ Media)
Why Christian clergy see risk as part of their moral calling
(Laura E. Alexander, Conversation)
Indian bishops call for the repeal of laws that ‘are inconsistent with religious freedom’
(Asia News)
Legal Spirits 074: Religion and the State in Japan (podcast)
(Eiichiro Takahata, Law and Religion Forum, St. John's Law School Center for Law & Religion)
Drone strike on a mosque kills 2 children in Sudan’s Kordofan region
(Fatma Khaled, Associated Press)
Hearing recap: "Defending Faith and Families Against Government Overreach: Mahmoud v. Taylor"
(Committee on Education & Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives)
Israel’s president visits Sydney’s Bondi Beach massacre site and meets victims’ families
(Rod McGuirk, Associated Press)
Peruvian prelate pioneering prison reform calls for social development
(Elise Ann Allen, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Europe is waking up to Russian Orthodox Church's role in Russia's hybrid aggression, says expert
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Rejecting Muslim hostility definition sends message ‘your safety doesn’t matter’, peer says
(Geneva Abdul and Chris Osuh, The Guardian)
Britain’s top lawyer warns of ‘unacceptable reality’ facing Jewish communities
(Lee Harpin, Jewish News)
Cities for Inclusion Call for Proposals
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
CAIR commends bipartisan defense of religious freedom during failed ‘Sharia Hoax’ hearing
(Council on American-Islamic Relations)
What happens if a religion precludes a person from supporting Zionism?
(Josh Blackman, The Volokh Conspiracy)
Two ultra-Orthodox parties to back draft-exemption law, state budget 'at any price'
(Aaron Rabinowitzand Noa Shpigel, Haaretz)
A police attack on a place of worship is a worrying sign of the erosion of civil and political rights in Kenya
(FoRB in Full: A blog by CSW)
Monday, 9 February 2026
Yemen: Houthis arbitrarily detain, disappear Christians
(Human Rights Watch)
Foreign Minister affirms Bahrain’s consolidation of the values of human fraternity and interfaith harmony
(Bahrain News Agency)
How criminalizing hate speech in South Africa could unjustifiably censor religious views
(Elizabeth Brink, International Journal for Religious Freedom)
Church bells, chimes and calls to prayer: A religious blessing or noise nuisance?
(Helena van Coller, International Journal for Religious Freedom)
The conceptual placement of atheism in secularist and post-secularist conceptions of society
(Christo Lombaard, International Journal for Religious Freedom)
Towards an index on policies on and attitudes towards propagation of religion or belief
(Christof Sauer, International Journal for Religious Freedom)
Tracking religious freedom violations with the Violent Incidents Database
(Dennis P. Petri, Kyle J. Wisdom, John Bainbridge, International Journal for Religious Freedom)
Nigeria takes centre stage as US lawmakers reopen hearing on global religious freedom
(Timothy Enietan-Matthews, RipplesNigeria)
Jailed Turkish scholar and journalist Ali Ünal honored at religious freedom summit in Washington
(Abdülhamit Bilici, Turkish Minute)
Top court to hear cases against Turkey labeling Christians ‘security threat’
(Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post)
At least 31 killed in Islamabad Shi'ite mosque bombing, Islamic State claims responsibility
(Asif Shahzad, Reuters)
Khartoum Anglican cathedral comes to life, three years after war forced its closure
(Fredrick Nzwili, anabaptist World)
European court upholds conviction of woman accused of insulting Muhammed
(EWTN News)
Trump's Religious Liberty Commission sued over lack of diversity
(BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today)
Around the web - 9 February 2026
(Law and Religion Forum, St. John's Law School Center for Law & Religion)
Prophecy, Polemic, and Pluralism: Léon Bloy and the Limits of Religious Tolerance
(Miriam Shah, Arc of the Universe)
Ministerial exception bars student chaplain's Title IX and FLSA claims
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Articles of interest - 9 February 2026
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Attorney General Ken Paxton sues the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR to stop the terrorist groups from operating in Texas
(Attorney General of Texas)
IFRC calls for stronger regional solidarity as humanitarian needs continue to rise in Asia Pacific
(International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)
140 rabbis train in Washington on how to resist authoritarian governments, ICE
(Yonat Shimron, Religion News Service)
Caritas Bangladesh calls for global defense of human dignity on Int’l anti-Trafficking Day
(Stephan Uttom Rozario, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Human dignity at center of social justice, development, says Vatican diplomat at UN
(Gina Christian, OSV News)
Saint Death v. church and state: The political economy of Santa Muerte in Mexico
(R. Andrew Chesnut, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
KAICIID launches its 2026 International Fellows Programme, expanding its global network of dialogue leaders
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
Zambia’s Catholic Bishops urge priests and faithful to steer clear of partisan politics
(Paul Samasumo, Vatican News)
CCCB statement on Bill C-218: No “MAiD” for mental illness
(Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Hong Kong Catholic activist Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison
(Clemente Lisi, Religion Unplugged)
LLM opportunity: Sam Pegram Scholarship
(University of York Law School)
House Judiciary Subcommittee testimony against the "Preserving a Sharia-Free America Act"
(Ilya Somin, The Volokh Conspiracy)
‘Official’ Chinese Church backs ban on unregistered clergy
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
EU: Launch of the Central Europe Forum for FORB in Washington DC
(Willy Fautré and Hans Noot, Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
Oklahoma school board denies Jewish charter school’s application
(Becket)
Interfaith groups slam Trump commission's Judeo-Christian slant
(Josh Russell, Courthouse News Service)
Jewish leaders escalate concerns about unclear political conditions on federal security grants
(Asaf Elia-Shalev, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Pope Leo is coming to this Muslim country: here’s what it means for Africa
(Fatima Zohra Zaidi, Religion unplugged)
CAQ abuse of notwithstanding clause concerning: Quebec Bar Association
(Caroline Plante, The Canadian Press)
Scottish Government faces calls to end NHS cash spend on child circumcision
(Mark McGivern, Daily Record)
White evangelicals remain among Trump’s strongest supporters, but they’re less supportive than a year ago
(Chip Rotolo and Gregory A. Smith, Pew Research Center)
Religious Liberty Commission holds hearing on antisemitism
(C-SPAN)
Makeup snow day on major Muslim holiday sparks backlash
(Talia Richman, Baltimore Banner)
Muslim countries, EU join condemnations of Israeli moves deepening West Bank control
(Nava Freiberg, Leon Kraiem, and Noam Lehmann, Times of Israel)
Friday, 6 February 2026
U.S. Department of Education issues guidance on prayer and religious expression in public schools
(U.S. Department of Education)
2026 National Prayer Breakfast
(The White House)
Justice Department resolves lawsuit against Pennsylvania borough alleging its zoning code violated religious land use provisions
(U.S. Department of Justice)
Rep. Steube requests DOJ action on religious freedom
(Greg Steube, U.S. House of Representatives)
Religious minorities in India suffer escalating attacks
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Clashing vulnerabilities? Revisiting Executief van de Moslims in België and Others v. Belgium with vulnerability theory
(Jelle Creemers, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Australia’s new hate crime laws need human rights monitoring
(Annabel Hennessy, Human Rights Watch)
Thursdays in Black boosts African church efforts against gender-based violence
(World Council of Churches)
Denmark: How central should religious buildings be to new town planning?
(Debika Ray, Financial Times)
Egypt’s crackdown on online discussion of religion violates fundamental freedoms, Amnesty International warns
(Aaryaa Shinge, Jurist)
Egypt legalises 160 additional churches, service buildings nationwide
(Egypt Today)
Episcopal Church, partners argue appeal in suit seeking immigrant protections at houses of worship
(David Paulsen, Episcopal News Service)
Pakistan: Suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque on Islamabad’s outskirts kills at least 31 and wounds scores
(Munir Ahmed, Associated Press)
9th Circuit: Prison may not revoke religious diet privilege because inmate did not strictly adhere to it
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
At Mamdani’s interfaith breakfast, NY clergy condemn Trump’s immigration crackdown
(Fiona André, Religion News Service)
Mamdani taps liberal NY Jewish leader to run antisemitism office
(Fiona André, Religion News Service)
Canadian Jewish groups decry axing of antisemitism envoy in favor of ‘rights, equality and inclusion’ advisory council
(Grace Gilson, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
No Compulsion in Religion–No Exceptions: Islamic Arguments for Religious Freedom
(Mustafa Akyol, Cato Institute)
Armenia: Prime Minister seeks to change leadership of legally autonomous Armenian Church
(Felix Corley, Forum 18 News Service)
Faith, policy, and the future: A cohesive vision for the G20 Interfaith Forum (Part 1)
(Marianna Richardson, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
Iran formally allows women to drive motorcycles: What to know
(Al-Monitor)
Lakemba Mosque receives second 'threatening letter' weeks out from Ramadan
(Jean Kennedy, ABC News Australia)
Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan visits WCC
(World Council of Churches)
Iran: Religious persecution and issues – Monthly Digest January 2026
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
How American technology helps China persecute its Christians
(Samuel Ben-Ur, The Diplomat)
Kenya’s President Ruto, clergy condemn violence during service attended by politicians
(Vincent Matinde, Christian Daily)
Clear legal framework needed to regulate online religious activities
(Vietnam Net Global)
Laura Fernández pledges a government that respects religious freedom in Costa Rica
(Javier Bolaños, Christian Daily)
Zambian faith leaders pledge peaceful elections through interfaith pact
(Winston Mwale, Africa Brief)
PM urged to act over rally against ‘illegal’ houses of worship
(Mohamad Fadli, Free Malaysia Today)
Thursday, 5 February 2026
EVENT, 5 February 2026: Religious Freedom in America Legislative Town Hall (Washington, DC, USA)
(National Council for Religious Freedom)
Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Western Hemisphere Subcommittee Chairwoman Maria Salazar delivers opening remarks at hearing on Defending Religious Freedom Around the World
(Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives)
Africa Subcommittee Chairman Chris Smith delivers opening remarks at hearing on defending religious freedom around the world
(Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives)
HYBRID EVENT, 4 February 2026: Launch of Central Europe Forum for FoRB
(Human Rights Without Frontiers International)
EVENT, 4 February 2025: Defending Religious Freedom Around the World (Washington, DC, USA)
(Chris Smith, U.S. House of Representatives)
Kiley announces hearing on Defending Faith and Families Against Government Overreach
(Committee on Education & Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives)
EVENT, 4 February 2026: Rethinking Religious Freedom in a Fragmented and Digitalized World (Washington, DC, USA)
(Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
IRF Summit details how nations can promote religious freedom abroad: Be ‘persistent’
(Tessa Gervasini, EWTN News)
IDF okays protocol aimed at enabling Haredi troops to stay religious throughout service
(Emanuel Fabian, Times of Israel)
Kazakhstan, Holy See advance interfaith cooperation in peacebuilding and global ethics
(Ayana Birbayeva, Astana Times)
Statement on interfaith responsibility in a time of rising authoritarianism
(Parliament of the World's Religions)
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