· March, 2011

Stories about Religion from March, 2011

Japan: The Tsunami, God and Man

A few days after the disaster that killed more than ten thousand people, Italian vice-president of the National Research Council (CNR) Roberto De Mattei and Tokyo governor Shintaro Ishihara left the Italian and the Japanese blogosphere astounded when they declared that the catastrophe occurred as a manifestation of God’s will. Both in Japan and in Italy bloggers reacted and demanded their resignation.

31 March 2011

Egypt: The Constitutional Amendments

About one month after the fall of Hosni Mubarak, Egyptians went to vote on constitutional amendments, on Saturday, March 19. The referendum is on a group of articles in the constitution that discuss the Presidency and Parliamentary elections and the requirements for candidates. Here, new and old voters alike share their stories.

25 March 2011

Lebanon: Anti-Sectarian Movement

Isqat Al Nizam (Bringing Down the System) is a blog (Ar) dedicated to the rallies and demonstrations aiming at dismantling the Lebanese sectarian laws and system.

20 March 2011

Pakistan: Citizens In Action After Minority Minister's Assassination

On the 2nd of March, an unknown gunmen shot and killed Pakistan's Federal Minister For Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti. He was assassinated for their stance on the blasphemy law. A letter writing campaign initiated by a blogger to protest this received responses from over 15,000 people from different walks of life.

19 March 2011

Saudi Arabia: King Promises Saudis More Money

More money was promised to Saudis today, following an address by King Abdulla to the nation. In a short address, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques thanked clerics, writers and the Ministry of Interior for their efforts in defending the kingdom. Announcements and decrees then followed that billions would be dished out on Saudis.

18 March 2011

Eritrea: How we celebrate “Meskel”

A holiday in my country, Eritrea: “I’m from Eritrea which is in the horn of East Africa. We have a religious holiday called “Meskel” which means “cross”. The holiday is...

15 March 2011

Maldives: Fostering Extremist Ideas

Hassan Ziyau is not happy with Maldive's efforts to suppress extremist ideas where “hate preachers continue with hate mongering and brain washing the youth”.

11 March 2011

Haiti: At the Intersection

Throwing Down the Water witnesses a scene which reminds her that “we contain infinite possibilities. And that if we accept the excuses most easily available to us, we are selling...

11 March 2011

Jamaica: On Lent

“My view on Lent is that it is really meant to be a time for personal renewal”: Grasshopper Eyes The Potomac considers ways in which he can best honour the...

10 March 2011

USA: Twittersphere Debates Kristof Column on Islam

A column by New York Times writer Nicholas Kristof riled the Twittersphere today. In the column, Kristof asks if Islam is the reason for stagnation in the Middle East and North Africa. Readers take issue with his characterizations of the region.

6 March 2011