Stories about Religion from January, 2012
Pakistan: Moral Policing of Dating Couples Gets TV Show Axed
In a recent live Pakistani television show, a group of middle aged women were seen scouring the parks of Karachi to hold accountable the couples dating without their guardians' knowledge. Protests mounted on social media which led to the firing of the anchor and removal of the show from the network.
Cuba: Pope's Visit & Human Rights
In the wake of more repression against Las Damas de Blanco, Uncommon Sense thinks “that the pope should postpone his visit until human rights conditions improve in Cuba.”
Pakistan: Hate Campaign Against Ahmadis In Rawalpindi
Naeem Shamim reports that “Banners and posters containing hate content and threats against Ahmadi Muslims are being displayed at many significant places” in Rawalpindi city near the Pakistani capital Islamabad.
Cuba: The Cardinal Rule
In the context of the country's upcoming papal visit, Angel Santiesteban writes: “What we Cubans have to achieve won’t come from anyone’s visit, nor from the ‘peace concert’, although it had good intentions, nor from the ‘U.S. blockade.’ It will come the day we demand what belongs to us by...
China: Tibet Burns, But Where Are the Chinese Public Intellectuals?
Since 2009, there have been at least 17 Tibetan self-immolation incidents in China. The public discussion about Tibetan protests is dominated by state controlled media, while those who usually speak out against injustice online often remain silent.
South Korea : Pizza Appears in Lunar New Year's Ancestral Worship
Sharing food with relatives that had been offered in the ancestral worship is regarded as the essence of the traditional Lunar New Year holiday in Korea and there are strict and complicated rules to follow in offering food. However, some young Koreans have started offering unconventional food, such as pizza,...
Pakistan: Hate Speech Against Ahmadiya Muslims
Saira Ahmad condemns sectarian Jiyalas’ hate speech against Ahmadiyya Muslims. The blogger thinks it was a major crime of the PPP as well as other parties in Pakistan’s parliament in 1974 to declare Ahmadis as non-Muslims.
South Korea: ‘Torture Expert’-Turned-Pastor Loses Pastorship Amid Criticism
Lee Geun-an is a former ‘torture expert’, notorious for his brutal ways of torture on numerous democratic activists under authoritarian rules in 1970s and 80s. After serving 7 years in prison, he became a Protestant pastor, but was kicked out of his job as his shameless and unrepenting comments prompt public criticism [ko].
Uganda: Controversy Over King of Buganda's Child Out of Wedlock
On Tuesday January 17, 2012 the Buganda kingdom in Uganda announced the birth of a second son of their King (Kabaka), Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II. The announcement has sparked controversy and mixed reactions because the new prince was born out of wedlock.
Pakistan: Bigotry Or Blind Hatred?
Sana Saleem reports that on last Saturday evening a group of men attacked a church in Manghopir because children were singing carols which allegedly disrupted their prayers.
Iran: Jailed Islamic Cleric and Blogger on Hunger Strike
Islamic cleric and blogger, Mohammad Sadegh (Arash) Honarvar Shojayi, is on hunger strike in prison in Iran to protest the four year prison sentence he received in October 2011 for defaming the regime and clergy.
Lebanon: Her Veil
“And when I made up my mind and ran to my mom screaming ”baddi it7ajab” [I want to wear the veil] she looked at me and said if you wear it now will you ever take it off ? I paused and asked her ”Are you ever going to take...
Iran: A cleric blogger on hunger strike
Mohammad Sadegh Honarvar Shojayi, a blogger and cleric started his hunger strike on Monday. He was arrested by the Prosecutor General on charges of conducting an interview with the reformist Kalameh website.
Kenya, Somalia: Twitter War – Kenyan Army Versus Al Shabaab
Kenya's military incursion into Somalia against the militant group Al Shabaab dubbed “Operation Linda Nchi” (Swahili for “Operation Defend the Country”) has found a new battleground: Twitter.
Pakistan: Khutba On A Plane
The life and times of two Indians in Pakistan describes an incident where a Pakistani pilot delivered a khutba (mini sermon) for 10 minutes on a regular flight.
Haiti: Two Years, Today
Today is the second anniversary of the Haiti earthquake. Regional bloggers post remembrances, here, here and here.
Greece: Criticism of Politicians During Theophany Celebrations
In Greece, January 6 is the national holiday of Theophany. Every year, government and civic officials attend the celebrations and make official statements. However, due to the economic, political and social crisis in Greece, this year's celebrations were marked by strong expressions of disapproval and criticism of politicians.
Iran: Blogger May Face Death Penalty for Insulting Islam
A 50-year old Iranian blogger, Mohammad Reza Pour Shajari (aka Siamak Mehr), has been charged with “insulting the Prophet of Islam” and “enmity with God” or “waging war against God”, charges that could carry the death penalty in Iran.
Brazil: “Industries on Christ” Gain Access to Funding from Taxes
Blogger Conceição Oliveira regrets [pt] the change in the Rouanet Law made by President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, which “recognizes the gospel music and its related events as cultural manifestations”. Religious performances thus gain access to a certain percentage of the investment off the Income Taxes. For Oliveira in Brazil...
Nigeria 2011: A Year of Small Victories and Great Challenges
2011 will go down in Nigeria's history as the year of the nation's third presidential election since independence. For the first half of the year, the blogosphere was abuzz with discussion of the election: protests, campaigns, debates, the role of technology, preparations for the polls, election day itself.
Bahamas: The Gay Agenda
A local newspaper carries a story of a pastor warning of “the gay threat from the US and Canada”, prompting Rick Lowe at Weblog Bahamas to ask: “Can't we understand that if consenting adults are homosexual what business is it of yours, mine or the good pastor?”
