Stories about Religion from August, 2009
Israel: Church Photos of Jerusalem
Poet and professor Karen Alkalay-Gut of Tel Aviv Diary features a photographic look at the churches of Jerusalem.
Israel: For the Love of Food
With the Jewish High Holidays approaching, food seems to be on everyone's minds. The Jewish blogosphere is ripe with sumptuous tidbits and contemplations about the cultural implications of food, food and identity, and the history and culture of our favorite culinary delights.
China and Taiwan: Dalai Lama's visit, inevitably political
Yesterday Dalai Lama arrived in Taiwan on a visit that has been denounced by China. The trip, requested by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to President Ma Ying-jeou, aimed at comforting...
Iran: “United for Baha'i Human Rights”
The Muslim Network for Bahai's Rights share with us a short animation video about Bahais’ problems in Iran since 1979.
Malaysia: Muslims can’t watch “immoral” concerts
The political party which banned the concerts of Beyonce, Avril Lavigne and Gwen Stefani in Malaysia is now proposing to ban the "sinful" Michael Learns to Rock concert. Malaysian Muslims can't also watch a Black Eyed Peas concert because the show is sponsored by an alcohol company.
Israel: Social Media Advances Jewish Identity
How can social media enhance identity? eJewishPhilanthropy reports: “For a people who have fretted over a loss of identity for generation after generation… innovations like Twitter and Facebook are nothing...
Bahrain: One Ramadan and One Eid
The beginning of the holy month of Ramadan depends on the actual sighting of the new moon, resulting in different dates for its start among the various Muslim sects. This year Sunnis and Shi'ites in Bahrain kicked off the month on the same day - and one blogger celebrates this rare unity.
Arab World: Welcoming Ramadan
Ramadan is an important month in the Muslim calendar. Bloggers writing in Arabic celebrate the month, already in its first week, in this post, where we share some of the artistic creations used to greet their readers on the month.
Palestine: Waiting for the Iftar Cannon in Gaza
The war on Gaza has made many traditions a distant memory. Palestinian blogger Hazem [ar] laments the end of a Ramadan ritual, which his grandfather remembers and which is no more.
Spain, USA : Artists (Dis)cover the Veil
Two recent events highlighting how artists look at the hijab issue inspired bloggers. Swiss motsd'images enthuses (Fr) about a beautiful outdoor photo exhibition of African women in Seville, Spain; and...
Africa/UK: South African blogger on Ramadan in the UK
Ramadan in the UK is a bit… different, writes Muhammad Karim, a South African blogger in the UK: “In the UK, specifically here in Epsom, there’s a community as well,...
Qatar reflects on spirit, practice of Ramadan
Residents of Doha, Qatar acclimate to Ramadan and the special perks and restrictions that come with it.
Bangladesh: The First Iftar
Paagli Didi, a Fulbright scholar from USA writes about her first Iftar in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.
Suriname: Photo-Op
Paramaribo SPAN features the photography of Reshma Kirpalani who, upon her return to Suriname, intends “to explore this country just as it exists, at this point in time: on the...
Trinidad & Tobago: Gender Policy
From Trinidad and Tobago, gspott asks: “Where's the Gender Policy?”, noting that while they can't say what exactly the new version of the Policy contains, they can can “offer…a special...
Maghreb: Ramadan Good Wishes and More
The Maghreb blogosphere has been blooming with an outpouring of congratulations, welcoming the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. And amongst the usual greetings and formal congratulations, controversial thoughts, often at odds with conventional views on Muslims, are being aired.
Global: Ramadan Mubarak
With the advent of Ramadan around the globe this weekend, Muslim and non-Muslim bloggers everywhere are wishing each other Ramadan mubarak (or "blessed Ramadan").
Poland: More on “Lemko Land”
Raf Uzar travels “down south to deepest, darkest Lemko Land.”
Maldives: Ramadan Rule And Expats
Abdullah Waheed writes about relaxation of a rule in Maldives regarding the ban of restaurants in daytime during the month of Ramadan: “trade Ministry has licensed certain designated restaurants in...
Uzbekistan: Women banned from mosques
Noah Tucker informs that after pressuring women for several months to stop attending mosque on Fridays, Bukhara authorities have officially prohibited them to go to mosques.
Iran: Testimonies of torture and rape
The Iranian authorities have been accused by UN experts and the opposition of torturing protesters of the June 12 presidential election results. Iranian civil society activists have been using citizen media to highlight testimonies about the Iranian tragedy.
