· October, 2010

Stories about Religion from October, 2010

Georgia: Halloween protests & revelry

The Young Georgians examines the history of Halloween, and not least in Georgia where controversy often results in religious groups objecting to young people holding their own events. This year...

31 October 2010

Egypt: On Salafis and Shias

“Because some did not believe the claims that the Egyptian regime is behind the Salafi channels and the Salafi trend in the country , the suspension of the Salafi channels...

28 October 2010

India: Ayodhya Verdict And Secular Conscience

The six-decade-old Ayodhya dispute has been “acknowledged as one of India’s most divisive and contentious issues which have flared up repeatedly to polarize the country along religious lines by instilling...

26 October 2010

Trinidad & Tobago: On Homophobia

Outlish suggests that homophobia “prevents us from maturing as a society, and taking responsibility for our actions, or the lack thereof”, while gspott urges readers to resist “the war on...

26 October 2010

Israel: Controversial Loyalty Oath Undermines Democracy

The Israeli cabinet approved by a 22-8 vote the proposed amendment to Israel's Citizenship Law, which would require all those seeking citizenship to pledge allegiance to Israel as a “Jewish and democratic state," sparking controversy on the ground and online.

25 October 2010

Saudi Arabia: Genie in Court

"I was under the influence of a genie" is the latest excuse for administrative corruption in Saudi Arabia. A corrupt judge, a genie and a religious investigation panel, which claims to have interrogated the genie, create a plot to good for Saudi netizens to pass on. Haifa Alrasheed brings us the latest reactions on the story.

23 October 2010

Bangladesh: On Secularism

“Being a secular state should be a unique nationalist stand point of Bangladesh,” opines Nayeem Hossain at E-Bangladesh.

22 October 2010

Serbia: Children Get Military Training in Russian Camps

In the prime of the newest public discussion on patriotism and the origin of violence in the Serbian society, newspaper Danas reported that two years ago Serbian children, aged 11 to 15 years old, had spent 16 days in scout camps in Russia, where they were being trained to assemble and dismantle weapons, to throw bombs, and to fire rifles. Sinisa Boljanovic translates some of the reactions to the case.

22 October 2010

Myanmar: Lighting Festival

Buddhists in Myanmar will celebrate lighting festival during Thadingyut. The festival is a celebration of the descent of Buddha from heaven. The Myanmar Youth in Action will organize a “Lighting...

22 October 2010

Cuba: Plea for Dr. Biscet

The daughter of political prisoner Oscar Biscet pens a letter to President Obama; Blog For Cuba republishes it here, while Uncommon Sense says: “This is the moment for friends of...

20 October 2010

Cuba: On Exile

“When, at the turn of the year, the prisons are emptied of political prisoners, for a time they’ll lose the stigma of being human rights violators…they are trying to decrease...

19 October 2010

Cambodia: Bon Pchum Ben

The Sreisaat Adventures in Cambodia blogs about the Bon Pchum Ben, the annual commemoration of the spirits. It is one of the most important religious holidays in Cambodia.

19 October 2010

France: First Case of Burqa Rage?

Allain Jules, blogging in centpapiers from Quebec, cannot wait for the impending decision of a French court in the case of a 63 years old former teacher who ripped off...

16 October 2010