· July, 2012

Stories about Religion from July, 2012

Ethiopia: Messages of Solidarity from Christians for Muslims

  31 July 2012

Messages of unity from Ethiopian Christians have gone viral in the Ethiopian digital public as Ethiopian Muslims persistently kept their peaceful protest in a bid to end government’s meddling in their religious affairs. A multitude of Christians have changed their Facebook status by announcing their allegiance with Ethiopian Muslims.

Pakistan: The business Of Ramadan

  30 July 2012

Samra Muslim at Pak Tea House writes that the month of Ramadan is not important for religious reasons but it is the month of business all around creating a lot of commotion in the economy of Pakistan.

Bangladesh: Dhaka Becomes Capital of Islamic Culture

  21 July 2012

The Bangladesh capital Dhaka has been declared as the capital of Islamic culture along with two other cities by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO). Dhaka is termed as the city of mosques, but many of the centuries old mosques are in dilapidated state.

MENA: Welcoming Ramadan

Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar has just begun. It is a time when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, try to get closer to God and celebrate their blessings. Around the world, Muslims have been trying to capture the spirit of the month with photographs, sharing them on different social media websites.

Pakistan: Polio Vaccination Ban Affects 240,000 Children

  20 July 2012

The lives of 240,000 innocent children are at stake due to the recent ban on Polio inoculation by the Taliban in the region of FATA. The militants also consider this anti-polio campaign as an act of espionage, and the tribal leaders are backing them.

Russia: Facebook and “Gay Propaganda”

Alexandra Evans of FP's Passport blog links to an RT news item about a group of Russian Orthodox activists who are campaigning to have Facebook blocked in Russia because of the recent introduction of same-sex marriage status icons, which the activists consider “gay propaganda.”

Ethiopia: Muslim Protest Gaining Momentum

  15 July 2012

Ethiopian police resorted to physical violence against Muslim activists, transgressing sacred places in their mosques, the Muslim activist Facebook group, Dimtsachin Yisema (Let Our Voice Be Heard), reports. Since May, Ethiopian Muslims have been protesting the government’s meddling in their religious affairs.

Myanmar : Jackie Chan Visits Orphanage

  10 July 2012

Myanmar netizens discussed[my] Jackie Chan's visit to an orphanage in Myanmar in his capacity as a UNICEF Ambassador. Some are wondering why he didn't take off his shoes in Dhamma Hall in front of a Buddha statue.

Singapore: Church Scandal Sparks Dissent

  5 July 2012

Leaders of Singapore's biggest church have been arrested for alleged misuse of funds. The reported luxurious lifestyle of the church founder and his pop singer wife has sparked intense debate amongst critics and church members.