Stories about Religion from September, 2007
Poland, Ireland: Politics Comparison
Our Man in Gdansk compares “Polish politics and normal, Irish politics.”
Saudi Arabia: Bullied to become a Good Muslim
Sarah from Saudi Arabia writes about her experiences in being ‘bullied’ to become a good Muslim.
China: Bloggers side with Burmese monks
Chinese government talk of non-intervention in the violent crushing of democracy protests this week in the Myanmar capital Yangon hasn't resonated much with a number of high-profile Chinese bloggers, with several taking the risk of openly joining the Red Shirt for Burma campaign and calling for their readers to do the same.
Poland: The Women's Party
The beatroot and Dr. Sean's Diary write about the Women's Party of Poland.
Bangladesh: Burma and Religion
Sadiq Alam on the situation in Burma. “Religious and Spiritual moral standpoint has given rise to many changes in human history in terms of revolutionary changes and justice.”
Saudi Arabia: Pepper Spray for Religious Police
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif reports about two girls in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, who sprayed the notorious religious police with pepper spray.
India: Cricket and Religion
A comment by a Pakistani Cricket player doesn't sit well with Indian Muslims.
Bangladesh: Blogging Ramadan
Sadiq Alam rounds up posts on personal experiences during Ramadan on the blogosphere.
Arabeyes: Ramadan Scenes
With the month of Ramadan halfway through, bloggers in the Middle East are still tapping away at their keyboards, reflecting on different aspects of the Islamic month of fasting. This week we make stops in Yemen, Palestine, Kuwait and Israel to see what bloggers have to say.
India: Adam's Bridge, Infrastructure, Government and Religion
The Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project proposes cutting through a formation known as Adam's Bridge or Rama Setu. Even as the environmental implications of such a project are being discussed, along its economic viability, the debate has been focused on the nature of Adam's Bridge. Is it a geological formation, or...
Zimbabwe: State sponsored sex stings
Akin blogs about the case of the former Archbishop of Bulawayo: “Before the case of Bishop Pius Ncube who resigned his post as the Archbishop of Bulawayo on the 11th of September 2007, there was the case of the Reverend Canaan Banana, the first president of Zimbabwe with Robert Mugabe...
Iran:Bahai's in Trouble
Iranian Truth says Bahai’s are a discriminated class in Iran and are often ignored by the Diaspora completely. In Iran, they have in many cases been uprooted from their homes, denied access to resources equal and on par with other Iranians, and even violently attacked strictly on the basis of...
Ramadaning in Kuwait
Ramadan, food and shopping were top priorities among Kuwaiti bloggers last week. Abdullatif AlOmar takes us on a tour of Kuwaiti blogs which include a shopping trip at a hypermarket where even the shampoo looks interesting when you are fasting!
Lebanon: Language Differentiating Islamic Movements
Bech raises this question among others: “Is there something that differentiates Islamic movements from other movements?“ And he answers, tentatively: “The difference is in the language used as representative of a different ‘form’ of consciousness (culture, etc.) shaped by different institutions and power relations in place.”
Nepal: Students and Minority Groups
Blogdai reflects on the current mood in Nepal – and brings some good and bad news.
Bangladesh: Cartoons and Religion
Adda on the detention of Arifur Rahman because of a cartoon, laws and sensitivity of religious groups.
Bahrain: On Suing God!
“Well, I'm sure you've heard of court cases where people have won millions of dollars for suing others over all sorts of issues. Anyway, this totally blows them out of the water; here, we have a Nebraska State Senator whose decided to sue… God,” rants Bahraini blogger Ammaro.
Arabeyes: Driving in Ramadhan
Staying up all night, sleep deprivation and lack of water, food and cigarettes from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the month of fasting, is having its toll on drivers - especially those stuck in traffic jams. Here are some of the rants from exasperated bloggers.
India: Faith and Science
nanopolitan on the faith-based attacks on science and the reluctance of the Indian scientific to comment.
UAE: The True Meaning of Ramadan
Satsuka, who lives in the UAE, discovers the true meaning of Ramadan. She writes: “Today, a Muslim colleague explained to me why Ramadaan gives him such great joy. He said: Throughout the year I do things for myself in praise of Allah, but in Ramadaan, I do everything for God...
Israel: Remembrance Day
Rav Yossie, from Israel, writes: “Rosh Hashana's official liturgical name is “Yom Hazikaron,” Remembrance Day, so it's quite appropriate to reflect on our recent history this week.”
