Stories about Religion from October, 2011
Cuba: Members of “Las Damas” Detained
Uncommon Sense learns that “ten members of the Laura Pollan Damas De Blanco…were among severa dissidents arrested in Santiago de Cuba as they tried to gather for Mass” yesterday morning.
Nigeria: Documentary: Nigeria’s Millionaire Preachers
MyWeku discusses a new documentary – Unreported World: Nigeria’s Millionaire Preachers, which touches on the issues of fraud and exploitation: “he documentary makers reported on the case of Therese, a widower who was told her late husband was a member of a devil worshipping cult and persuaded Therese that God...
Bahrain: Muharraq United Against Sectarianism
Muharraq, Bahrain, witnessed some tension two nights ago when Sunnis faced off with Shia residents, who were commemorating a religious ritual. Here is some of the coverage on Twitter following the incident.
Uzbekistan: Making some cash on pilgrims
Abulfazal writes that Uzbek black currency market has raised the USD per Uzbek soum exchange rate while Uzbek pilgrims are planning their trips to Saudi Arabia.
Trinidad & Tobago: Divali Delicacies
“The cross-section of families and individuals from all walks of life always brings a smile to my face and reminds me of the Divali celebrations of my childhood”: TriniGourmet.com posts her mouth-watering menu for this year's Divali celebrations, which take place tomorrow.
Africa: Africa's Challenge to Western Homosexuality
Critical Point discusses Africa's challenge to Western homosexuality: “I feel disappointment when African leaders immediately submit to a foreign concept in order to be assimilated into an “International Community” whose definition of international is decidedly limited! How is it that a relatively recent understanding of homosexuality has predominated over one...
Egypt: Man Jailed for Three Years for Insulting Islam on Facebook
Egyptian Ayman Youssef Mansur has been sentenced for three years with hard labour in Egypt for “insulting Islam” on Facebook, reports Brian Whitaker in Al Bab.
Arab World: Cheering on Tunisia's Elections
Tunisians are receiving positive vibes from netizens across the Arab world as they go to the polls today to elect a 218 member constituent assembly which will rewrite the country's constitution, appoint an interim president and a caretaker government. The elections are historic in that they are described as the Arab world's first free elections following revolutions which toppled the dictators of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. All eyes are on Tunisia today, as Tunisians reap a fruit from their revolution.
China: Disease of indifference
Annie Lee from China Hush translated an article that examines the cause of moral deficiency in mainland Chinese society.
Pakistan: Release Of Mumtaz Qadri
Aftab Afridi writes about the inherent flaws in the religiously inspired laws of Pakistan. He warns that if Mumtaz Qadri, the killer of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, is released, it will have very serious ramifications for the coming generations.
Cuba: Mourning the Loss of Laura Pollan
Cuban bloggers are in mourning over the death of Laura Pollan, the former leader of the opposition group Las Damas de Blanco. The sad news made its way across the blogosphere with lightning speed and bloggers, both within Cuba and throughout the diaspora, were soon posting their remembrances of the late human rights activist online.
China: A Poem About the Self-Immolations in Tibet
A series of self-immolations happened in Tibet since early October. Tibetan poet Sengdor wrote a poem, “Mourning” to commemorate his fellows. High Peaks Pure Earth translated the poem and some of the comments.
Egypt: Mourning the Heros of Maspero's Battle
Egyptians are pulling together after a bout of violence at the state television building Maspero, engineered to pit Muslim against Christian and vice versa. Nermeen Edrees sums up netizens' reactions.
Egypt: Horror at Maspero
Egyptian journalist Sarah Carr blogs her report on the horrors she witnessed at the Maspero state television building, where around 30 protesters were killed and 150 injured when the military police clashed with Coptic protesters.
Peru: 14 Shamans Murdered in Amazon Town
Peruvian bloggers Juan Arellano [es] and Paco Bardales [es] report on the murders of 14 shamans in the amazon town of Balsapuerto. The main suspect is the mayor of Balsapuerto, Alfredo Torres, and his brother, who are reportedly evangelical Christian and see these shamans as “devils”.
India: Nine Days, Nine Goddesses
Anu at A Wondering Mind post pictures of goddesses at the Chedda Nagar Murugan Temple decorated differently in each of the nine days of the Navaratri Festival.
Croatia: Court Forbids Homophobic Priest From Blogging
Serbia Insajd, a Hungarian blog about South-Eastern Europe, reports [hu] that the Rijeka Court has banned Franjo Jurčević, a Kastav-based Catholic priest, from writing homophobic blog posts [Jurčević's blog, hr: http://zupnik.blog.hr/]. The court has also ordered Jurčević to publish the court decision in two national dailies at his own expense.
Pakistan: The Militant Heroes
Malik Siraj Akbar reports that the widely read Urdu newspapers in Pakistan are repeatedly glorifying Punjab governor Salman Taseer’s murder and are depicting the murderer, who has been sentenced to death, as a “hero”.
Nigeria: Role of the Internet in Spreading Humanism
Critical Point explains the role of the Internet in spreading humanism: “The internet provides a forum, missing in Nigeria and similar countries, to have on-going debate and develop ideas. With the refusal of the religiously influenced Nigerian media to report humanist stories, the internet is the only way the movement...
South Korea: Church's Embezzlement Case Draws Harsh Criticism
In South Korea, an embezzlement case involving the country's largest church has fuelled public debate online. Citizens have even suggested lifting the tax exemption granted to Korean churches.
