· October, 2012

Stories about Religion from October, 2012

Halloween an ‘Alien’ Holiday in Tajikistan

  31 October 2012

We should teach the younger generation that Halloween is alien to Tajiks and all Muslims. Proud Tajik boys and girls who love their nation should never celebrate alien holidays. Blogger Bachai Sako [tj] on why people in Tajikistan should not celebrate Halloween today.

Arab World: Salafi Awkward Moments

  24 October 2012

Recognised by their long beards, and short garbs (thobe), Salafists, who follow a strict interpretation of Islam, were the butt of jokes on Twitter under a new hash tag #SalafiAwkwardMoments. While the West ponders on how to deal with them, let's tune into Twitter to see how funny netizens think they are.

Peru Holds Annual Processions for the Lord of the Miracles

  22 October 2012

Every year during October, Lima (Peru's capital city) shows its devotion to the Lord of the Miracles. Here's a brief summary of the history behind this huge Peruvian religious event, and a taste of how citizens have been commenting and covering the processions through citizen media.

Pakistan: Developing Viewpoints on Malala Yousufzai

  19 October 2012

Malala Yosufzai, the female education activist who was shot by Taliban, has become a symbol for an enlightened and moderate Pakistan. Her name is being eulogized in prose and poetry in her homeland and beyond. However, an Anti-Malala Syndrome has also developed simultaneously.

Greece: Theater Critic Assaulted by Neo-Nazi and Religious Protesters

  14 October 2012

Religious groups and neo-nazis protested against gay-themed play Corpus Christi in Athens on 11 October, 2012. Deeming it blasphemous, they assaulted a theater critic and forced the cancellation of the performance. Netizens reacted in shocked outrage, demanding an end to the unchecked spiral of violence perpetrated by neo-nazis in recent months.

Pakistan: Religious Extremists Attack Malala Yousufzai

  11 October 2012

Malala Yousufzai, a 14 year old girl, was shot and severely wounded by Taliban for her activism. She is famous for her ‘Diary of a Pakistani School girl‘ which reveals the onslaught of the Taliban against girls education in Swat, Pakistan. Netizens condemn this horrendous act.

Pakistan: Riots Aftermath – Project Cleanup for Peace

  7 October 2012

On September 21, 2012 peaceful protests in Pakistan against the film insulting prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) turned violent and properties were burnt and people lost their lives. Contrary to the tide some youths started a facebook event called “"Project cleanup for peace“, which gathered more than 2500 volunteers to cleanup the mess on the streets in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

Iran: “Offensive” Cartoon of the Prophet Joseph

According to [fa] several bloggers and news sites,Keyhan,a conservative newspaper has published an “offensive” cartoon of the Prophet Joseph.Ardakan says [fa] there are double standards in Iran and it seems conservative Keyhan feels safe contrary to many other newspapers in the same situation.

Bangladesh: Ramu Attacks – A National Shame

  6 October 2012

Recently religious extremists attacked Bangladesh Buddhist temples and households on charges of the desecration of the Quran. People have protested against these attacks all over the country and Facebook, blogs and online media are filled with messages condemning the attack.

Bangladesh: The Value Of Co-existence

  5 October 2012

Fundamentally, we enrich each other in this life not by merely co-existing but by seeing the value in each other’s existence. And, by helping each other grow, thrive, and prosper, we enrich ourselves.

Kyrgyzstan: ‘I Am Gay and Muslim’ Banned

  3 October 2012

How is this possible that a movie title angered so many people? Kyrgyz blogger reacts [ru] to a recent court ban on the screening of “I Am Gay and Muslim,” a Dutch documentary about homosexual Muslims, at an international human rights film festival in Kyrgyzstan.