· April, 2008

Stories about Religion from April, 2008

Bangladesh: women's equality vs. religion

  30 April 2008

Tahmina Shafique writes on the recently announced women’s development policy in Bangladesh which has triggered religious protests by Islamist groups and forced a retreat by the government on rights issued by the constitution.

Jordan: Mixed Signals

“Can the same facebook contact add an application called (The Latest Hunk) and within the same day join a group called (Proud to be a Muslim) ?” asks Hani Obaid from Jordan.

China: Different Voices on the Upcoming Talk with Dalai Lama

  26 April 2008

The Xinhua news agency reported Friday that "In view of the requests repeatedly made by the Dalai side for resuming talks, the relevant department of the central government will have contact and consultation with Dalai private representative in the coming days.” The report has provoked another new round of controversy on Dalai Lama among the Chinese netizens.

India: A Goddess in Mumbai

  23 April 2008

A photo essay on Mumbai Magic – “In Mumbai, a small community from Andhra Pradesh worships the Goddess Mariamman every summer, seeking protection from smallpox, chickenpox and all forms of disease.”

Japan: Love and Hate Story of the Mascot Character, “Sento-kun”

  22 April 2008

Creepy?! Ugly?! Sacrilegious?! Not many people are happy about the mascot character for the Commemorative Events of the 1300th Anniversary of the Nara-Heijyoko Capital to be held in 2010. The character was designed by a sculptor and professor at Tokyo University of the Arts, Satoshi Yabuuchi, who is one of...