Stories about Religion from May, 2010
Maldives: A Non Muslim In the 100% Muslim Nation
Hasan Ziayu reports about a Maldivian who openly announced his disbelief in Islam on state television and was detained by police. Now the dilemma is: one cannot become a Maldivian...
Pakistan: Culture Of Intolerance
Raza Rumee at Pak Tea House discusses about the recent attacks on Ahmadi community in Pakistan and what signs it gives.
Bangladesh: Facebook Temporarily Blocked
Bangladesh has become the second country in Asia after Pakistan to block the entire Facebook domain. Bangladeshi bloggers are expressing their astonishment, anger and protest against this ban.
France : A Legal Review of the Burqa Ban Bill
A lawyers blog Mieux connaître vos droits en Europe ponders the legal aspects of the French burqa ban bill (fr). Earlier, the blog also posted the main points of the...
Pakistan: Minorities At Peril
“The thirty years of state sponsored “true” Islam is showing its colors. In Pakistan all the minorities are constantly harassed and state’s protection has often proved completely ineffective when a...
Pakistan: Attacks in Lahore at Ahmadi Mosques
Amardeep at Sepia Mutiny writes about the “terrible pair of attacks on Ahmadi mosques in Lahore, by gunman armed with grenades and automatic weapons”.
Algeria ,France: Film “Of Gods and Men” Sparks Conversation about Spirituality, Terrorism
Cannes 2010 award-winning film "Of Gods and Men" discusses the killings of the French monks of Tibhirine monastery in 1996. The movie sparks various reactions, from praises to spiritual debates, from bloggers in Algeria, France and around the world.
Bangladesh: FIFA World Cup, Memories From The Past
The 2010 FIFA World cup is knocking at the doors. While People around the world are talking about this Word Cup, a few Bangladeshi bloggers are reminiscing about the previous ones.
Secularism in France from a Foreigner's Perspective
Art Goldhammer, from French Politics blog, links to Eric Fassin‘s article in Le Monde (fr) and the NSAE's blog quotes in extenso from the article that describes French secularism in the style...
MENA: To Draw or Not to Draw Muhammed
The fire ignited by the Everybody Draw Mohammed Day on Facebook, is still raging. Here is a snap shot of reactions from across the Middle East.
Pakistan: Netizens Protest The Blanket Ban Of Facebook And Other Sites
After the ban of Facebook, Youtube and several other sites in Pakistan, many netizens of the country are outraged by the decision.
Egypt: Crackdown on the Egyptian Da Vinci Code
Dr Youssef Zidane's 2008 Azazeel created a stir, followed by resentment, when it was first published. Today, Dr Zidane is being accused of blasphemy and defaming Christianity and as insulting any of the 'heavenly faiths' is illegal in Egypt, he could face up to five years behind bars. Bloggers react to the development.
India: River Bath Festivals
Ram Banshal at India in Peril writes about the Indian tradition of river bath festivals and the high risk of exposing to viral infections via polluted river water.
South Africa: Zapiro's “Muhammad” Cartoon Controversy
Zapiro, South Africa's premier cartoonist, known for his controversial style in picking on politicians and commenting on societies issues, has come into the limelight in South Africa for jumping on the “Draw Muhammad Day” bandwagon.
Nigeria: Islam strongly discourages polygamy
Following the marriage of a muslim Senator in Nigeria to a 13-year old girl, blogger Akin from Nigeria argues that Islam strongly discourages polygamy.
South Africa: What is the big deal with drawing the Prophet?
“So What’s the Big Deal With Drawing the Prophet?,” asks South African blogger Muhammad Karim in reference to “Let’s Draw Muhammad” contest.
India: Manipur In Peril
“The entire north east is in the grip of an unprecedented wave of Christianization with the help of foreign money,” comments Tarun Vijay, while discussing the problems in the Indian...
Nigeria: A debate on pedophilia, Sharia law, and the ‘two’ Nigerias
The headline is tabloid-esque: "Nigerian senator marries 13-year-old girl". It refers to 49-year-old Ahmad Sani Yerima, whose marriage a few weeks ago has drawn criticism from around the country, playing into the divide between the Muslim north and Christian south of Nigeria.
Middle East: “Blood Borders”
Martin W. Lewis from GeoCurrent Event blog reviews Ralph Lewis’ “Blood Borders” article on the idea of a complete reshape of Middle East borders in order to fit more appropriately...
Facebook Is Blocked in Pakistan As It Indulges In A Controversial Campaign
After the outcry surrounding the Draw Mohammed Day Facebook page, which is campaigning for the creation of mass cartoon caricatures of Prophet Muhammed [PBUH] on the 20th of May, today the Lahore High Court ordered the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block the entire Facebook.com domain in Pakistan till the 31st of May. Pakistani bloggers react.
Russia: Photos of Grozny
LJ user greedyspeedy posts the first installment of photos of Grozny, Chechnya, taken in April, and writes (RUS) in the comments: “This photo report is about the glossy Grozny; I'll...
