Stories about Religion from November, 2011
Russia: Mount Athos Monastery Photo Exhibition
The State Historical Museum of Moscow is hosting an exhibition of 240 photographs from the Mount Athos Monastery of St Simon's collection, dated between 1848-1963. The inauguration of the photo exhibit took place on 8 November, 2011, and was attended by political and religious representatives, as well as artists from...
Qatar: Opinions Divided Over Sale of Pork
News has been spreading in Qatar that pork products are now available for purchase in the country, albeit only from the single Qatar Distribution Company store, and only to those with alcohol permits. Omar Chatriwala reports.
Maldives: Reactions To Defacing Of Monuments
Some SAARC countries have sent monuments to Maldives to celebrate the SAARC summit this year. Maldives’ religious party Adhaalath had called for removal of these alleged idols. Sri Lankan blogger Indrajit Samarajiva shares his reactions on the desecration of the Sri Lankan and Pakistani monuments.
Cuba: Ladies Detained Again
The Ladies in White were once again attacked this weekend as they tried to attend Mass, babalu reports; two of the group's members are allegedly “still being held in a Castro prison.”
Barbados: Thoughts on “Un-Hating”
Skip to Malou* is taken with the new Benetton ad campaign, saying: “Love it or hate it, I'm blogging about this…because I see it as a creative way to bring across some strong, thought provoking messages…poking at very sensitive, serious issues in a light hearted way.”
Cuba: The Church, The Government & The Dissidents
Bloggers question the approach of the Catholic Church in Cuba here and here, while Pedazos de La Isla reports on recent crackdowns on dissidents, here and here.
Cuba: Honouring the Island's Patron Saint
Havana Times reports on the celebration of an outdoor mass this past weekend “in honor of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, considered by Catholics to be the ‘Patron Saint of Cuba'”, explaining: “Next year will mark the 400th year since the discovery of the image; it seems that...
Egypt: Commemorating 40 Years of Pope Shenouda on Twitter
Egyptian Copts, among others, decided to criticize Pope Shenouda III on the occasion of his 40th Ordination anniversary. The anniversary coincided with the end of the 40 day mourning period after the Maspero massacre, where 27 Egyptians, mostly Coptic Christians, were killed.
Cuba: Papal Visit Challenges
Crossing the Barbed Wire suggests that the proposed Papal visit to Cuba next year “presents challenges for three essential actors of the current Cuba”; El Cafe Cubano, meanwhile, says: “I don't believe the Pope's visit will do anything to ‘CHANGE’ things in Cuba.”
India: Marriage Under Hindu Law
Did you know that for a Hindu marriage is termed as a sacred relationship? Spread Law explains all about marriage under Hindu Law in India.
Haiti: “Abandoned Population”
Dying in Haiti republishes the desperate pleas of a Catholic priest in Robillard, who says that “several of the family members of the cholera inpatients of [the area] have TB symptoms. The situation of Robilllard is definitely becoming chaotic. We cannot expose an entire population to some TB people.”
Brazil: Is State-Funded Evangelical ‘Gospel Park’ Unconstitutional?
The announcement of the construction of the first ever Brazilian 'Gospel Park' in the state of Acre, caused controversy this October. Public funds will be used for the park that would only benefit members of the Pentecostal evangelical religion, something forbidden by the Federal Constitution.
Cuba: On the Pope's Potential Visit
On hearing news that the Pope may visit Cuba next year, diaspora blogger babalu says: “If the Pope does indeed visit Cuba and the Castro regime is still in power, there can only be two possible outcomes: either the visit will be ‘apolitical,'…or the Pope will stand up and vehemently...
Malaysia: Sexuality Rights Festival Banned
The Malaysian police has banned the annual Seksualiti Merdeka (sexuality independence) Festival which angered many people, including bloggers who support gender and LGBT rights.
Cuba: Catholic Solidarity with Dissidents
Pedazos de La Isla is heartened by this weekend's “display of solidarity [by] loyal churchgoers [who] showed solidarity with the Ladies in White, joining the religious figures in their successful attempt to deter a savage beat down of the non-violent women who simply demand freedom.”
Russia: Celebration of Eid al-Adha in Saint Petersburg
Mr7.ru writes [ru] about the Eid al-Adha celebration by Muslims living in the Russian city of Saint Petersburg. The site writes that up to 80,000 people took part in the celebration according to different sources, quoting Shamil Mugattarov, the head of Coordination Council of Muslims in Saint Petersburg, as complaining about “the lack...
Tunisia: Netizens Turn to Facebook to Criticise Islamists
The question of the power of Islamic movements has become a hot topic since the so called Arab Spring started in Tunisia last December. Mona Kareem takes a look at how Tunisian netizens are turning to Facebook to criticise and mock this movement and draw support to Tunisia's secular way of life.
Egypt: Men Should Wear the Veil!
With Islamists rising in post-revolution Egypt, fear of religious oppression is growing among youth, minorities, and women. A new Facebook group encouraging men to wear Hijab or veils, in solidarity with women has just popped up. Here are some reactions to the initiative from Egyptian and Tunisian netizens.
Cuba: Church & State
“At 75, Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega cannot complain about his lack of recognition”: Another perspective on the work and influence of the head of the Catholic Church in Cuba, by Havana Times.
France: Satirical Magazine's Office Burnt Down After Mocking Sharia
During the night of November 2, the Paris head office of satirical French weekly Charlie Hebdo was attacked and burnt down. This happened on the same day an issue of the long established French weekly featuring the Prophet Muhammad as guest editor on its cover, was about to hit newsstands.
Kazakhstan: Blasts Spark New Fears Over the Rise of Extremism
Early in the morning of October 31, two blasts occurred in the downtown district of Atyrau, the major city in Western Kazakhstan and the unofficial "oil capital" of the Central Asian country, which has long been boasting of itself as a showcase of inter-ethnic and inter-religious tolerance.
