· August, 2011

Stories about Religion from August, 2011

Senegal: Grants for Pilgrimage to Mecca and Rome

  30 August 2011

Mamadou Sarr on assirou.net reveals [fr] how much money Senegal provides for pilgrimages: “The Senegalese government subsidizes the pilgrimage to Mecca to the tune of 1 billion 350 million CFA Francs [around 2.8 million USD] on years when no Christian pilgrimage to Rome is organised, and 1 billion CFA [around...

Bangladesh: Coming Home For Eid

  30 August 2011

Eid is the biggest religious festival in the Muslim majority country Bangladesh, and a key part of the celebration is going home to celebrate with family in distant places. Bijoy has a roundup of Bangla blog reactions on the struggle, frustration and the joy of reaching home to celebrate Eid.

Cuba: Las Damas & the Archbishop

  30 August 2011

Uncommon Sense says that the fact that the leader of The Ladies in White has had to approach Havana's cardinal “to intercede…to halt the summerlong repression of the Damas and their allies…reveals everything there is wrong with the prelate.”

Azerbaijan: Ramadan

  30 August 2011

Aaron in Azerbaijan introduces its readers to Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting also known as Ramazan, and comments on a reflection on gender and faith during the period of observance of the by a local female blogger, Sensible and Sensitive, who visited a mosque for the first time in...

Pakistan: Praying For Shahbaz Taseer

  28 August 2011

Shahbaz Taseer, the son of slain Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, was kidnapped in the broad day light in Lahore. Many Pakistani netizens are sharing their shock and are joining in prayers for his return; but one wonders, will prayers work for the young Taseer?

Spain: Pope's Visit Leaves a Violent Trace in Madrid

  23 August 2011

On August 17, Europe Laica (Secular Europe) brought together over 150 organizations to protest in Madrid against the public financing of Pope Benedict XVI's visit. Police repression and acts of violence took over the capital's streets. The Pope's visit also brought to bear the debate between state secularism and religion.

Pakistan: Islamic Televangelist Caught Out by Behind-the-Scenes Video

  22 August 2011

Dr. Amir Liaquat Hussain, a Pakistani Islamic televangelist and host of numerous religious shows, has been criticized after a behind-the-scenes video was released. The video depicted Dr. Amir, a notable religious scholar who otherwise poses as a humble, moral man, uttering abuse and profanities as well as religious blasphemy.

Spain: Brutal Police Repression Against Journalists Covering “Secular March”

  20 August 2011

Pope Benedicto XVI's recent visit to Spain sparked a civil "Secular March" in protest against the use of public funds for religious acts in a secular state. The encounters between secular and religious individuals resulted in a wave of police repression against the journalists covering the events. Global Voices presents a selection of videos of the protests.

Costa Rica: Slut Walk Reactions, Religion and Women's Rights

  19 August 2011

Last Sunday 14 August, 2011, the Costa Rican Slut Walk took place in the capital city of San Jose causing both a media and religious backlash due to allegedly violent anti-church chants and performances. The ongoing debate has been covered on both citizen and mass media outlets as people react to the Costa Rican version of this worldwide protest.

Haiti: Bishop Kébreau's Political Statement

  17 August 2011

Wadner Pierre examines whether “Bishop Louis Kébreau, President of the Haitian Episcopal Conference, call[ed] on Haitian President Martelly to be ruthless and dictatorial”, adding: “I am very disturbed by the declaration…but I am not surprised because powerful clerics like him have always fought against a democratic government in Haiti.”

Costa Rica's ‘Slut Walk’

  17 August 2011

José Medrano [es], ‘Conejitos Suicidas’ [es] and Julio Córdoba [es], among others, blogged about the ‘Slut Walk‘ which was held in Costa Rica for the first time on Sunday, August 14.

Pakistan: Celebrating Independence Day

  15 August 2011

This year, on August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day was celebrated with jubilation not only in the streets but also in the blogosphere. Netizens posted about Pakistan, praying for its prosperity and success.

Pakistan: Ramadan Over The Top On TV

  15 August 2011

“Almost every notable Pakistani entertainment channel has a Ramadancentric talent or game show hosted by a decked up popular star,” notes Syed Manzoor Suharwardi at Pak Tea House.

Pakistan: Netizens Protest Moral Policing On Art Curator

  14 August 2011

A few days ago police stormed into Nairang Art Gallery in Lahore. The raid was carried out on the pretext that the female curator of the gallery was wearing a sleeveless shirt and was intermingling with other men, something quite contrary to the views held by the conservatives here and thus fringing upon obscenity.

Costa Rica: Metropolitan Cathedral will be Surrounded by Sluts

  11 August 2011

This Sunday, the Costa Rican SlutWalk will come together in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral in the capital city of San José. The walk comes as a response to the statements made by a Catholic Bishop and visiting Cardinal during Costa Rica's Patron Saint ceremony on August 2nd, where they...

MENA: Can a Hashtag Spread Hatred?

Over the past few days, more than 250,000 Israelis have protested in the streets of Tel Aviv and other cities over the rising costs of housing and food. Tarek Amr examines how a derogatory hashtag used by Arab Twitter users to comment on the protests in Israel has sparked debate on both sides.