Stories about Religion from March, 2006
Battling HIV/AIDS
The Concoction appears to disagree with former US president Bill Clinton when he calls for mandatory testing for HIV/AIDS. It also tells of what it calls “brave Catholics” in South Africa who are going against Vatican teachings and advocating the use of condoms in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Israel: Rabbis and Imams for Peace Meet in Seville
Richard Silverstein argues that “there is no end of those who criticize Islam and its imams for their supposed hatred against Israel and the west… Such attitudes toward Islam are unfair and anti-Muslim. I’ve argued here against such individuals saying that Islam is as varied a religion as Judaism or...
DRC: Priest Describes 3/22 Protest
Le Blog du Congolais posts (FR) a Le Phare interview with a priest, Rev. Blaise Kanda, who attended UDPS’ March 22 protest. Rev. Kanda reports that even though UDPS leadership may not be ready to take up arms, rank-and-file demonstrators shouted slogans that indicated they were. He was also surprised...
Pulse of the Saudi Blogosphere
Mohsen Al-Awaji was freed after 11 days of detention, and Aya thinks this action by the government is a tangible lesson for Saudis: “Don’t you dare to criticize the government because we are capable, at any time, of stripping you from your freedom and dignity.” Riyadhwai seemed happy about the...
Landing at the Iraqi Blogodrome
This week bloggers in Iraq are saying the same thing in different ways – the security situation is becoming unbearable. Also, in my bag today, a winning blogger gets another award; Chikitita negotiates Iraqi bureaucracy – Lara Croft-style; Meemo has a party; Caeser has a chance meeting with a girl...
Indonesia: Islamist vs. Secular parties
Indonesia Matters examines the categorization of Islamist vs. Secular parties in Indonesia.
Moroccan Arabic blogs opt for the sarcasme and CAIR dare to defend a Christian convert
Moroccan bloggers who choose to blog in another language(Arabic) than Arabic are facing a new wave of criticism(Arabic). “Why don't you blog in Arabic?” (French) Is a question they had to answer last week, and as I told you in my latest roundup, they were many to justify(French) their choice...
Dangdut music and dance in Singapore and all about Home
Singapore is a good place to explore cultures from all over South East Asia. The blogger at licencetospill took some of her friends to a Dangdut club. Dangdut is a form of music from Indonesia. The blogger explains the main difference between a DD song and any other indonesian song...
China: Convenient humanitarianism
In his post “Arab Leaders Ignore Chinese,” lordgenius at China Intel mentions an upcoming meeting between the Arab League and the Chinese Communist Party in Sudan which will focus on Iraq, the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and the ongoing civil strife in western Sudan's Darfur region. “Isn't there something missing here?...
Kenyan Sphere Dispatch
After the kenyan government raid on standard newspaper early this month, (Something that was covered by MSM around the world), there was talk in Kenya of mercenaries operating in Kenya. Nationmedia (free subscription) had an interview with one of the Artur brothers. The mystery of their involvement can be confusing....
Nigeria: Growth of Christianity
Ethnic Loft posts on the growth of Christianity in Africa…”Banners for revivals, sermons and blessings dot nearly every street in Lagos, a teeming flatland of tin-roof shanties and rain-streaked concrete high rises.”
Malaysia: Rising Islamism?
Colors of Life worries that, as Islamist political power rises in the country, the dice has been cast against a “Malaysian” Malaysia.
Singapore: Staying Skeptical of Scripture
Singapore's Salt * Wet * Fish reposts a 2004 entry from his old LiveJournal that continues to have resonance: a reflection on a passage by Buddhist nun Thich Nhat Hanh on remembering that spiritual texts are meant to provoke insight, and should not always be taken on face value.
Arabisc: Moderate Muslim Voices
It’s not only the English language bloggers from Middle East who are continuously trying to bridge the cultural gaps, but Arabic language bloggers are facing similar tough battle at home, within the Arabic blogsphere itself. Muslim moderates are criticizing some of the taboos of their system. One of them simply...
Algeria: Jews and Christians in Algeria
In case you are searching for information about Judaism and Christianity history in Algeria, Nouri Lumendifi has a very well written essay about religions in his country.
Sudan: Row over Sharia
Sudan Watch reports on a row brewing in Sudan between the two partners in government (the North and the South) over whether the capital, Khartoum should be subject to Islamic law, Sharia -
The Lebanese Bloggers This Week: Less Politics, More Diversity
This week has seen a flurry of varied and interesting posts in the Lebanese Blogosphere. It seems a month of observing the dull and disappointing national dialogue has left the Lebanese bloggers wanting to break away into the realm of more exciting material. So if you want to know more...
Tajikistan: Religious legislation
Amira over at The Golden Road to Samarqand reports that although not a frequent sight, there seems to be agreement between Muslims, Christians and Jews over rejecting new legislation that would severely limit religious practice.
The Week That Was in Bahrain
Once again the island bloggers venture away from their shores to report international and regional events in a turbulant world where freedom and human rights are challenged on a daily basis. Away from politics, they continue to delve in culture, arts and literature.
Hong Kong: Cardinal Zen
OhmyNews! reports on the ordination as cardinal of outspoken Catholic Bishop Joseph Zen, who has been dubbed “the conscience of Hong Kong”.
China: Tibetan nun statement
China Information Center posts a statement by Tibetan nun Phuntsog Nyidron on her release from prison and arrival in the United States. “In 1993, along with 13 other political prisoners I secretly recorded songs in prison that were in praise of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and about the situation...
