· July, 2009

Stories about Religion from July, 2009

Iran: Mourning the Victims of Protest

Thousands of Iranians gathered in Behesht Zahra cemetery in Tehran on Thursday to commemorate Neda Agha-Soltani and the victims of the protest movement. Dozens have been killed and hundreds jailed.

31 July 2009

Haiti: Secret Funeral

Haitian blogger Wadner Pierre reports that Kenel Pascal, “who appears to have been gunned down by UN occupation troops”, was given a secret funeral “because the priest and family were...

30 July 2009

Hijablogging: On Burqas and Bans

Although the practice of wearing hijab has been around since pre-Islamic times, the debate surrounding it has increased in recent years. Whereas in some countries, hijab is mandated, in others, it has been banned in schools, workplaces, and sometimes altogether. But whether required or forbidden, Muslim women's dress is almost always a topic of hot debate.

30 July 2009

Fiji: Tension rises between government and Methodist Church

The months-long standoff between Fiji’s government and the country’s largest Christian denomination became more heated last week when police arrested, held and later charged seven Methodist Church officials and a high-ranking chief for “incitement” and infringing on emergency rules regarding meetings.

27 July 2009

Pakistan: A Fatwa To Stop Electricity Theft

Kalsoom at CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan informs that “the Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) has reportedly obtained a fatwa [religious decree] from 12 senior Islamic scholars against the theft...

22 July 2009

India: Chasing a solar eclipse

On July 22, we are about to witness the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century. The eclipse will be visible between 5.20am to 7.40am, from within a narrow corridor...

20 July 2009

Cambodia, Thailand: Preah Vihear dispute continues

The ancient Temple of Preah Vihear rests on the Cambodian and Thai borders. Exactly which country can claim Preah Vihear has been a source of contention between the neighboring countries. Since the July 2008 inscription by UNESCO, there has been violence in the region between Cambodian and Thai soldiers.

20 July 2009

Israel: Does Violence Pay?

Israeli activist Joseph Dana compares the way the Israeli state treats ultra-orthodox rioters with its treatment of anti-occupation protestors: “The ultra orthodox have succeeded in exerting force against the state...

18 July 2009

Iran: “Death to Russia” at Friday Prayer

At a Friday prayer at Tehran University led by former president and cleric Hashemi Rafsanjani today, crowds of Mir Hossein Mousavi supporters defiantly chanted "Death to Russia" instead of "Death to America", referring to accusations that Russia has been involved in training regime forces of repression.

17 July 2009

Pakistan: The power of the Fatwa

The Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) has reportedly obtained a fatwa [religious decree] from 12 senior Islamic scholars against the theft of electricity. Kalsoom at Changing Up Pakistan writes in...

17 July 2009

Cuba: Independent Journalists

Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense thinks that “whether by coincidence or coordination, a crackdown on Cuba's independent journalists seems to be underway, based on various recent reports.”

17 July 2009

Iran: Opposition goes to Friday Prayers

Several Iranian bloggers invited people to go to Friday Prayers in Tehran as Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi will attend this week's Friday prayers led by influential cleric Akbar...

16 July 2009

Egypt: The Egyptian Apostate

Egyptian progressive thinker, Dr. Sayed El Qemany was granted the State Award for Social Sciences. Egyptian liberals and seculars hailed the award while Wahabis and conservatives declared war on the “Egyptian Apostate”. Marwa Rakha reports from the Egyptian blogosphere.

15 July 2009

Georgia: Controversial online game

Unzipped: Gay Armenia, a ground-breaking LGBT blog in the region, comments on news from Gay Caucasus [RU] that a homophobic game, Kill the Faggots, is proving popular among children in...

14 July 2009

Syria: Allergic to Religion?

Mohammed writes about a phenomenon that he feels has gone too far. He feels that many people have a certain “Religion Influenza” [Ar] that makes them hostile to anything related...

14 July 2009