Stories about Religion from June, 2012
Georgia: Men Can Wash Their Own Feet
Making Connections not only posts a recent video by Georgian bloggers against homophobia, but also one calling for gender equality in the South Caucasus country. The blog notes that the second video, featuring Georgian men saying they can wash their own feet, is in response to a comment by the...
Comoros: Women Barred from Public Beach for Religious Reasons
Women are no longer welcome at the beach of Itsandra-Mdjini [fr] reports Mlimadji in Comores-Actualités. He explains that city officials decided to ban women from the beach at the request of religious leaders. The beach is managed by the cultural association Twamaya and has historically been open to everyone without consideration of...
Mali: 100 Sharia Lashes for Unwed Parents in the North
The grip of Islamist group Ansar Dine on northern Mali and their imposition of Sharia has recently been tragically demonstrated in Timbuktu. A couple who had a child out of wedlock, publicly received 100 lashes each and were forced to marry.
Cuba: Papal Mass Dissident Still Protesting
Pedazos de la Isla reports that “Andrés Carrión Álvarez, the Cuban who shouted ‘Down with Communism’ during the papal mass in Santiago de Cuba this past March…is still on hunger strike.”
Egypt: The Problem with Sharia
Just An Egyptian discusses his problem with Sharia – Islamic law – in this post.
Will a Unified Time Zone Work for Indonesia?
Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic country, plans to synchronize its three time zones on October. The business sector is supporting the plan but netizens and religious leaders have many questions.
Costa Rica: Thousands March in Capital for Human Rights
Thousands marched in the capital of San José on June 16, claiming equal rights for same-sex couples, the legalization of In-Vitro Fertilization and the separation of State and Church.
Tunisia: Salafis Run Amok over ‘Blasphemous’ Art Works
A group of Salafists attacked an art exhibition, Le Printemps des Arts, in La Marsa, (north suburb of Tunis) destroying some of the art works deemed blasphemous to Islam. The incident soon turned into a riot, with hundreds of Salafists attacking several areas across Tunisia and clashing with security forces.
St. Lucia: Flower Festival
At “I and Iyanola”, Nkrumah Lucien completed a two-part blog post exploring the origins of Saint Lucia's flower festivals: “It is not that La Wòz and La Magwit cannot be made into an app…but that those practicing these traditions were not allowed the space and material conditions to allow them...
China, Hong Kong: ‘Happy Ad’ for Student Abortions Ignites Debate
A hospital in mainland China has advertised a special installment payment package for university students, for getting abortions conveniently in the event of accidental or unwanted pregnancies. The hospital's marketing poster has caught the attention of Hong Kong's netizens.
Iran: Is LGBT an Online Reality?
Homosexuality, which is banned in Iran, is punishable by prison or death. Fred Petrossian speaks to a researcher who led a team which studied how Iranian LGBT communities use internet in their daily lives.
Iran: ‘Zuckerberg should take action against insulting Islam’
The state-funded group, “The Islamic Revolution Council of IT and Digital Media Activists” have asked Mark Zuckerberg in an open letter to take action against those who ‘insult Islam’ in Facebook and prosecute them. They compared those who ‘insult Islam’ in Facebook to terrorist attacks in Iraq against Shia people...
Tunisia: Final Draft of New Constitution Preamble Causes Controversy
Tunisians are fuming over the final draft of the preamble (prelude) of the new constitution, drafted by their first elected parliament after the fall of the Ben Ali regime. Many netizens did not agree with the assembly members' vision of post-revolution Tunisia. Ahmed Medien summarises reactions.
United Arab Emirates: Anger at Risqué Madonna Concert
Madonna kicked off her MDNA Tour on June 1, performing her debut concert in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The concert prompted controversy for the sexual themes and Madonna's revealing costumes. Netizens slammed Madonna on Twitter.
India: Activist Facing Arrest For Exposing Church Miracle
Sasi at Random Thoughts reports that Sanal Edamuruku, the President of the Indian Rationalist Association, is facing arrest for proclaiming that the “dripping cross” outside Vile Parle’s Velankanni church is not a miracle, but the result of a natural action. A petition is online to call for dropping the complaints...
Pakistan: The Kohistan Story Of Honor Killing of 5 Girls Gets Complicated
Omair Alavi provides the latest updates on the story of honor killing of 5 girls in Kohistan and questions the media's role in the whole debacle.
Myanmar: Rakhine Villages Attacked
Tensions are running high in the Rakhine area of Myanmar after a series of violent incidents. Netizens have criticized 'inaccurate' Western media reporting, which highlighted the continuing tension among ethnic groups in the country.
Tajikistan: Sharia Replaces Secular Law
Blogger Kayumars Ato writes [ru] that Sharia, or Islamic law, is gradually replacing secular law in Tajikistan. Excessive red tape and corruption in the country's courts increasingly lead Tajiks to consult Islamic leaders for guidance in disputes relating to marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
Photos of Colossal Churches in South Korea
South Korean churches are being widely criticized for building huge church buildings. One net users posted photos of colossal churches. The church appeared in the last photo has recently created controversy for re-routing subway exits for their convenience.
Myanmar: Revenge Killing After Girl Was Raped
Spring Flowers wrote [my] about the senselessness of revenge when vigilantes killed 9 Muslims during a bus attack in western Rakhine, Myanmar after a Rakhine girl was raped and killed by 3 Muslims.
China: Forgiving the Tiananmen Massacre Murderers?
While more than 180,000 people attended the annual candlelight vigil on June 4, in Hong Kong for China's June 4th incident (Tiananmen Square protests), exiled former student leader Chai Ling wrote that she has forgiven the murderers of the massacre. Her comments have stirred up a lot of debate.
