Stories about Religion from August, 2011
Senegal: Grants for Pilgrimage to Mecca and Rome
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...
Bangladesh: Coming Home For Eid
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
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...
Azerbaijan: Ramadan
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...
Pakistan: What Eid Should Be Like?
Hira Khan at Pak Tea House portrays what a model Eid celebration should be like, from a humanitarian perspective.
Pakistan: Praying For Shahbaz Taseer
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
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
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”
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
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
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...
Costa Rica's ‘Slut Walk’
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...
Indonesia: ‘Insensitive’ Ramadan video ad?
Unspun blogs about a Ramadan video message of an Indonesian TV station TVOne which has become controversial because of criticism that it used religion to advertise a product.
Hungary: New Law on Churches and Scientology
Eva S. Balogh of Hungarian Spectrum writes about Hungary's new law on churches – according to which the legal status of a church is to be decided by the parliament...
Pakistan: Celebrating Independence Day
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.
El Salvador: Reopening Wounds or Paving the Way for Reconciliation?
Mike in Central American Politics comments on the implications of the news of the nine former soldiers who “turned themselves into authorities one week ago. The men are wanted by...
Pakistan: Ramadan Over The Top On TV
“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
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.
Pakistan: The Good And Bad Of Observing Ramadan
Salman Latif lists some good and bad practices in the Pakistani society during the month of Ramadan.
Costa Rica: Metropolitan Cathedral will be Surrounded by Sluts
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...
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.
