Stories about Religion from April, 2007
Iran:Hidden thoughts of Ahmadinejad
Ahmad Shirzad,former reformist deputy in Iranian parliament, writes [Fa]that we can find out about Ahmadinejad's real thoughts if we listen to his speeches during his trips to country's provinces.According to the blogger, he rejects all achievements of human being.Shirzad says in a speech he said educated people from USA and...
Egypt: Muslim Brotherhood MPs Arrested
“Two members of parliament from the Muslim Brotherhood were arrested yesterday, an escalation in the ongoing campaign against the group. There is a feeling in the air of a looming storm with this crackdown…” writes Egyptian blogger Issandr El Amrani.
Why is adultery illegal in Senegal?
Why is adultery illegal in Senegal? (Fr) Women are still considered the property of men and religion a justification for law, whether or not you are a believer, the Blog politique du Senegal writes.
Taiwan: Crazy for Matsu
(Photo is from Arkun's flicker photo album.) Just like what Backlight53 said: 這禮拜中台灣都在瘋一件事，那就是–大甲媽祖遶境。 this week, there is one thing people in central Taiwan are crazy for. That is Da-jia Matsu's inspection. Based on Mei-Rong Lin's research, Matsu is the deity most commonly worshipped by Taiwanese people. Matsu's birthday falls on...
Iran: Crackdown on Women Again
Iranian police have begun to crackdown on women’s dress. After the Islamic revolution of 1979, women have been obliged to cover their hair and wear long, loose-fitting clothes to disguise their figures and protect their modesty. Thousands of Iranian women were warned about their poor Islamic dress this week and several hundred were arrested in the capital Tehran in the fiercest crackdown in more than a decade for what’s known as “bad hijab”.
Religion and Philippine elections
Majority of Philippine politicians tolerate the political activities of some Church leaders, especially during election season. This is understandable since many Filipinos remain obedient to the teachings and instructions of religious leaders.
Egypt: New Bahai Blog
Egyptian blogger Issandr El Amrani links to a new blog about Egyptian Bahais. “Seeking Justice focuses on Egypt’s official discrimination against Bahais, an issue we’ve talked about before. It has links to other Egyptian Bahai sites and blogs,” he notes.
Turkey is Typing: The Killings in Malatya
"A handful of monsters walked into a Bible publisher in the Turkish city of Malatya the other day," writes one blogger, describing one of the tragedies which stunned Turkey this week. The brutal killings of three Christian missionaries at a Bible publishing house in Malatya has bloggers across the nation mourning the display of violent intolerance and contrasting the established sanctity of nationhood with the dire need for multi-religious acceptance.
“What Kind of Lebanon Do We Want?”
As Lebanon's political leaders offer up their usual litany of what he says is useless rhetoric, French-Lebanese blogger Frencheagle asks his readers to remember one question: “What kind of Lebanon do we want?” (Fr). The problem of coexistence, he says, is one that an international tribunal on the civil war...
Mexico: More Discussion on Abortion Decision
The decision by the Mexico City Assembly to legalize abortion angered many in a society where many practice Roman Catholicism. Some bloggers like Ciudad de Mexico [ES] presents arguments from both sides but wonders “why not allow a public debate on the matter?” or better yet a referendum to let...
Iraq: More on Hamas Iraq
Abu Aardvark, aka Marc Lynch, links to an article by “Mohamed Abu Roman, one of the smartest Jordanian writers on Islamist issues, (who) turns his attention today to Hamas Iraq. Like me, Abu Roman places the appearance of Hamas Iraq directly within the context of the growing intellectual and political...
Bhutan: Feeling unlucky? Get a dog.
Visit Bhutan compiles an interesting list of popular Bhutanese beliefs! “Keeping dogs as pet is advisable as they act as a recipient of all the bad luck and curse of the family. In effect, the family is spared of the suffering of curses and bad luck in the house.Comments :...
Second Life Brings Its Second Life to Brazil
The much heralded launching of the first Second Life national community happened this Monday, April 23, and Brazilians are getting ready to their outposts in a custom tropicalized virtual environment. The novelty is attracting the attention of users as Linden Labs makes its first attempt to scale and customize the environment to host non-English speaking cultures -- and markets. The initiative is the result of the partnership with the local Kaizen Games, which has been announced as a Second Life Global Provider and part of the SL Grid. Bloggers are reporting.
Israel: The Vatican and Terrorism
Israel-based blogger Aussie Dave discusses what he sees as The Vatican's double standards when it comes to terrorism.
Brazil: ‘Reverse Globalization’
In an act of “reverse globalization”, a North American in Brazil reports on the ‘Amazonia’ soap opera, the Santo Daime religion, the legacy of Chico Mendes and current efforts to protect of the Amazon forest. Lou Gold reports about ‘Amazonia, Acre and Earth Day‘ at VisionShare.
Sex Education in Brunei, a No No
Sex education is an extremely taboo issue in the very Islam-conscious nation of Brunei. However a recent newspaper article talking about increasing numbers of teenage mothers got the bloggers busy in Brunei. The bloggers feel that maybe it is high time for schools to start incorporating sex education into the curriculum.
Lebanon: Anti-Semitism, Fist-Fights, etc
Check out the following topics freshly picked from the Lebanese blogosphere this week: an intense argument between American University of Beirut professors, sectarian polarisation in Lebanon and the Virginia Tech shooting which claimed the lives of 33 people, including two of Lebanese origin.
Israel: New Proposal for Israel
“As a Torah-observant, patriotic Jew in Eretz Yisrael I long for the day on which I will be able to live in a Jewish polity which operates according to halacha, Jewish law. I sorrowfully see a secular state which is in a desperate race against time to commit suicide before...
Egypt: Rare Visit
Egyptian blogger egYptianist posts a rare find in an Egyptian newspaper, dating back to 1913, which reads: “Egyptian Delta Railways Ltd. Helwan Line. Visit to the Israelite Cemetery. We are honored to announce to the public that concerning the visit to the Israelite Cemetery in Bassatine on Friday, October 13,...
Algeria: From Armenia to Islam
Algerian blogger Nouri provides links which discuss why the Armenian genocide should not be called a genocide and who is a moderate Muslim.
Egypt: Worldwide Free Kareem Rallies
World-wide rallies to pressure the Egyptian government to free jailed Egyptian blogger Kareem Nabeel Sulaiman are being planned on April 27, announces Free Kareem. “While we appreciate the support provided by organizations worldwide, everyone is participating first and foremost as a civilian, not necessarily as a member of a particular...
