Stories about Religion from April, 2015
What Do Africans Think of the Film ‘Timbuktu’ About Life Under Islamic Militants?
In Africa, opinions are divided on the Mauritanian film "Timbuktu." Some love it, others think external factors are the reason for its success.
The Controversial Tweet That Led a Costa Rican Official to Resign
Julia Ardón, a social media aide for Costa Rica's president, attracted a firestorm of criticism for tweeting from her personal account against the Catholic Church's stance on in vitro fertilization.
Finding Christianity in Japan, Where Believers Are a Small Minority
"The doctrine teaches me to how to live life as a human and it all sounds very decent to me. I am inclined to listen to it."
France Launchs National Campaign to Curb Racist and Anti-Semitic Acts
On April 17, the French government unveiled a national campaign to combat racism and anti-Semitism in France. The objective of the campaign is to fight all prejudices, raise awareness and get citizens engaged in the conversation. One hundred euros will be allocated over three years to educate and promote cultural diversity. The...
Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Silence Anti-War Voices on Yemen
Gulf Arab countries are stepping up the war on anti-war activists in the region. Both Kuwait and Bahrain have jailed activists for speaking up against the Saudi-led war on Yemen.
Tajik Authorities Hunt the Hijab and Battle the Beard
"They got to me too… Today, three policemen took me to Khujand police station and shaved my beard forcedly. This country does not have a future!"
Bengali New Year Takes a Colorful Stand Against Religious Extremism in Bangladesh
Among the fun and festivities for Bengali New Year in Bangladesh was a serious message, "Burn many lights in the darkness of hearts," to commemorate bloggers and activists recently murdered.
#JesuisKenyan Trends in Francophone Social Media to Show Support for Garissa Victims
147 people were killed by gunmen on the campus of Garissa University in Kenya. The world and specifically the french speaking world after Charlie Hebdo, shows support to the victims
‘Western Women Don't Care If They Are Raped on the Roadside,’ Says Saudi Historian
Saudi historian Dr Saleh Al-Saadoon says women in the West drive because they “don't care if they get raped on the roadside.” He made the remarks in an interview with Rotana Khalijia, a Saudi-owned television channel aimed at Gulf countries, in his defense of a Saudi prohibition that bans women...
Looking for Books on Islam, Feminism and Racialisation?
Blogger Royayah Chamseddin, a Sydney based Lebanese-American journalist and commentator, shares a list of books on Islam, feminism and racialization in this blog post on her blog Letters from The Underground. The list, which will continue to be expanded, includes links to some books which are available for free download...
