Stories about Religion from September, 2011
Uzbekistan: Violations of religious freedom
Mansurhon reviews the speech by Uzbekistan's expert and rights activist regarding violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief in this country. The speech, delivered at the Annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meetng, warns that these violations represent a serious risk to Uzbekistan’s future.
Indonesia: Suicide Bomb Blast at Protestant Church
A Protestant church in Solo, Central Java in Indonesia was hit by a suicide bomb blast on Sunday. Twitter users in Solo and elsewhere are extending their condolences and expressing their disappointment over this tragic event.
Cuba: “Damas” March Tomorrow
Uncommon Sense will have his eye on Cuba tomorrow as “the Damas De Blanco (‘Ladies In White)…participate in a march and other ceremonies commemorating Our Lady of Mercy, the patroness of prisoners, a fitting celebration for a group committed to advocating for the release of Cuban political prisoners.”
Brazil: Defending Freedom of Religion
Rosângela Basso, of the blog Maria da Penha Neles, posts a series of pictures of a protest in defence of religious freedom in Rio de Janeiro. The blog Bule Voador posted a video and pictures of a protest for the secular state in Curitiba, in the state of Paraná.
Philippines: Filipinos Abuzz With Miss Universe Results
And third runner up goes to…Miss Philippines! Shamcey Supsup's success has been the cause for much celebration and cheering in the Philippines at the conclusion of the 2011 Miss Universe Beauty Pageant held at Sao Paolo, Brazil. Filipinos both online and offline are talking about the result.
Jamaica: Disaster Preparedness
In the midst of the hurricane season, Ruthibelle suggests that “damages could be minimised and it would cost this country less if we would stop living on luck, and starting living out emergency disaster preparedness, until it is ingrained in our culture…”
Pakistan: Eid Moon Madness
Pak Tea House posts a caption collage on the controversy regarding Eid Moon sighting in Pakistan.
Denmark: Turkish Flag on Right-Wing Candidate's “Sharia-Land” Ad
Amila Bosnae re-posts a parliamentary election campaign ad of “a candidate for the xenophobic (and powerful) Danish People’s Party” and explains: “The caption on top reads ‘Sharia-land or Sjælland?’ – Sjælland is Zealand, the big island in the eastern part of Denmark with the capital Copenhagen. For some reason they...
Arab World: Remembering September 11
Twitter users from across the Arab world paid tribute to the 3,000 victims of September 11 as the world recalled the horrors committed by Al Qaeda terrorists who flew four passenger jets into buildings in the US 10 years ago.
Cuba: The Virgin of Charity
Cuban bloggers discuss the goings-on during the feast of Cuba's patron saint, The Virgin of Charity. Photos are here and here.
Cambodia: ‘Avatar’ Rally to Protect Country’s Forest
Prey Lang, the largest lowland forest in Cambodia and home of more than 200,000 indigenous peoples, is threatened by the plan of the government to transform the area into plantations and mining sites. In protest, villagers dressed up like the Na'vi tribe from the film Avatar to express their sentiments
Cuba: Two Views of the Church
Babalu maintains that “the shepherd appointed by the Vatican to care for and protect the flock in Cuba has instead chosen to care for and protect the wolves that slaughter the sheep”; in contrast, Havana Times says: “The Catholic Church seems to be expecting a rise in religious sentiment among...
India: The Varieties Of Ganesha Statues
On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, A Wandering Mind posts pictures of different kinds of Ganesha statues as seen in Mumbai, India.
Pakistan: Ahmadi Man Murdered In Faisalabad
Guppu.com reports that a man belonging to the Ahmadiyya community has been shot dead. He became yet another victim of the religious hatred being propagated against the minority community in Faisalabad.
Jamaica: Block on Ad for Acceptance of Gay Family Members
Jamaican broadcasters are refusing to publish a public service ad produced by The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG) encouraging Jamaicans to accept homosexual family members. In this post, three bloggers, Annie Paul, Kathy Stanley and Kei Miller, share their thoughts.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Ramazan and Bajram in Sarajevo
Sarah Correia of Café Turco writes about the month of Ramadan (Ramazan) and Eid ul-Fitr (Bajram) in Sarajevo.
