Stories about Religion from October, 2009
Maldives: Shariah Law In The Penal Code
Random Reflexions blog discusses the recent call for shariah law to be included in the penal code of Maldives by a political party and several MPs.
Trinidad & Tobago: Death Penalty
“The term ‘death penalty’ is a literary iceberg – two words that hide a huge amount of detail beneath the surface”: Know TnT.com examines the issue.
Egypt: Egyptian Male Blogger Orders Artificial Hymen
So much was said and written about the artificial virginity hymen kit - that Egyptian male blogger Mohamed Al Rahhal just had to buy one. Marwa Rakha brings us the story.
Guadeloupe, Martinique: Soccer & Religion
A video showing an interview of the famous French soccer player Thierry Henry in which he expresses his affiliation to Islam, has caught the attention of Martinican blogger Bondamanjak [Fr/Fr Cr] and triggered impassioned comments from readers.
UAE: Hijab as a marketing ploy
Abayachic questions the use of hijab as a marketing ploy.
Haiti: No Justice?
As an ex-priest is extradited to Canada to face charges of sexual abuse of minors in Haiti, The Haitian Blogger says: “The international community has evidently concluded that there is no justice in Haiti. Sexual predators who have been operating with impunity in Haiti are being extradited to their countries...
Bangladesh: Kali Puja In Shakharibazar
Bangladeshi Photoblogger Ideas R Bulletproof posts pictures of Kali Puja, a festival dedicated to Hindu Goddess Kali, which were taken in Shakharibazar, Dhaka.
Pakistan: Abuse Of Religion
“The trend of moulding religion to suit one’s needs instead of amending ones own behavior to suit the needs of religion is a symptom prevalent even amongst the so called liberal and educated classes of our country,” comments Pakistani blogger Tayyab at Deadpan Thoughts.
USA: Interracial couple denied marriage license
Last week, in Hammond, Louisiana, a couple applied for a marriage license and were refused on the basis of their different races. The justice of the peace claimed that "interracial marriages do not last long" and stated that he was "doing it for the children."
Pakistan: The Strategy To Win Against The Attackers
“For the people of Pakistan, however, the worst aspect of the attacks is that attackers belong to us. It is the trauma of being hit by our near and dear ones,” comments Azhar Aslam at Teeth Maestro on the recent suicidal attacks in Pakistan. He proposes some strategies to win...
Morocco: Praise for Islamic Finance
In a recent blog post, Paris-based Moroccan blogger Larbi (Fr) takes a closer look at Islamic finance. He writes: “While global finance has collapsed and the world was plunged into a financial crisis like no other, a little village still resists to this wave. It is called: “Islamic Finance”. Crisis?...
Israel: Charitable Giving at Every Level
“The difference between being charitable and being a philanthropist is having a strategy,” writes Richard Marker in eJewish Philanthropy, explaining why “You Don't Need to Be Rich to be a Philanthropist.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Celebrations
This is a busy week for Trinidad and Tobago, according to Repeating Islands, as the country celebrates both Amerindian Heritage Week and the Hindu festival of Divali.
USA: Native Americans exploitation in Sedona ‘sweat lodge’ deaths
Two people died and 19 were treated in hospital after attending a "Spiritual Warrior" sweat lodge session organized by self-help expert James Arthur Ray. Bloggers discuss the misappropriation of Native culture.
Bhutan: Why Do We Need A New Religion?
PaSsu Diary is irked by the organized preaching of new religions in Bhutan which can distort the tolerant culture in the country.
Egypt: Coptic history wanted
Egyptian group blog Bikaya Masr discusses Coptic history, language and education — or their lack of — in this post.
Pakistan: The Ideology Of The Army
Ayesha Siddiqa at Pak Tea House comments on the ideology of the Pakistan army and the civil society at large: “the country’s ruling elite and the military have traditionally used a particular aspect of religion to gain strategic dividends. While they can conveniently claim to have retained their secularism and...
Russia: 1994 Zikr in Grozny
Photographer Oleg Klimov posts photos (RUS) of Chechen men performing a zikr ceremony in summer 1994 in Grozny, Chechnya: “Some six months before the war. Most of these people are no longer alive.”
Germany: Photos of Berlin's Jewish Sites
LJ user marina-pavlova posts photos (RUS) of Berlin's Jewish sites – here and here.
India: Bigamy On The Rise
Bigamy is outlawed in India with some exceptions. However the Bigamy law has been twisted and milked through the gate of exceptions and the practice is on the rise in the country. Deepali Gaur Singh has details.
Egypt: Niqab Ban Stirs Controversy
Egypt's top leading Islamic leader, Sheikh Mohammed Tantawi told a 13-year-old student to uncover her face, saying it was not part of the religious obligations of Muslim women. A few days later, Egypt banned female undergraduates from wearing the niqab in the country's public universities. Bloggers join in the debate.
