Stories about Religion from October, 2013
Halloween in Tajikistan: Devil Worship or Innocent Fun?
In Tajikistan where most people have not even heard about Halloween, even rare Halloween fun raises eyebrows.
Russia's Demagogues Just Can't Get Along
Eastern & Central Europe30 October 2013Nationalist MP Vladimir Zhirinovsky ranted about natives of the North Caucasus on the popular debate show “The Duel” - Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov took offence.
VIDEO: “No Woman, No Drive” Stuns Saudi Arabia
Today, October 26, was the day Saudi activists chose to protest against the driving ban on women in the Kingdom. As social networks were buzzing under increasing number of reports of women driving across the country, a brilliant a capella remake of Bob Marley's “No Woman, No Cry” spread at...
A Muslim Schoolgirl and the Volgograd Suicide Bombing
Eastern & Central Europe26 October 2013In the wake of the Volgograd bus bombing, a Muslim girl wrote a letter to the anonymous blogger hardingush. We chose to translate it in its entirety.
Video: Saudi Girls Blamed for Being Attacked Outside Mall
Girls are being blamed for being attacked by youth in a shopping mall in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, for not covering their faces - and actually going to a mall.
In Wake of Suicide Bombing Russians Question Their Security
Eastern & Central Europe23 October 2013An explosion aboard a Volgograd (formerly Stalingrad) commuter bus caused a stir in Russia’s blogosphere on Monday.
Saudi Clerics Protest Women Driving
‘A group of more than 100 conservative Saudi clerics gathered Tuesday at the Royal Court in Riyadh to protest against what they called “the conspiracy of women driving.”’ writes Ahmed Al Omran at Riyadh Bureau. Saudi women are planning to defy a ban on women driving in the absolute monarchy...
Malaysian Court Rules Catholic Paper Can’t Use ‘Allah’ to Refer to God
The court ruled that the Catholic paper would create confusion and disrupt public order if it is allowed to use the word Allah
#FreeBoussa: Moroccan Netizens Protest Teen Trial over Public Kiss
Three teenagers have been arrested in Morocco. Their crime? The first two were arrested for kissing in public, and the third for photographing them.
The Raqqa Woman who Faced the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
School teacher Suad Nofal, from Raqaa, Syria, will not abandon her country in its hour of need. Syria Untold has her story.
Australian Catholic Cardinal Center of Child Sexual Abuse Scandal
There are three inquiries in Australia into institutional responses to sexual abuse of children. Cardinal George Pell is the centre of the controversy for his approach to offenders and victims.
Russian Muslim Websites Defaced by Hackers During Eid
Eastern & Central Europe15 October 2013On Eid al-Adha (Kurban-Bairam in Russian), several websites of the Russian Muslim community were defaced with a photo of a severed pig's head holding the Koran in its mouth.
Saudi Women Driving – “A Western Demand”
Saudi blogger Ahmed Al Omran shares this tweet by a female member of the Saudi ruling family, ridiculing the call to lift the ban on women driving: London-based Saudi princess ridicules the calls to lift the ban on women driving, calls it a Western demand pic.twitter.com/XYqfyi4kIs — Ahmed Al Omran...
Syria: The Girls of Al-Tall Weave Ribbons and Freedom
Their story is that of the greater Syrian tragedy - a nonviolent group with little funding and external support that defied both the regime, and its radical counterparts through civil means.
Who is a Real Muslim? – The Perils Of The Muslim Minorities In Pakistan
Raza Habib Raja at Pak Tea House comments: The biggest ‘crime’ in Pakistan is to be what I call, Non-Muslim Muslims. So if you are an Ahmedi, Shiite, and even a believer in some Sufi Saint you will invariably be called Non-Muslim by some. That brings one to the question...
Central African Republic: “Don't Forget About Us!”
The Central African Republic conflict between the Central African government and Seleka rebels has worsened alarmingly since December 2012. The humanitarian situation is catastrophic in certain towns but especially in the interior of the country.
