Stories about Religion from February, 2016
Saudi Arabia Sentences Twitter User to 10 Years in Prison and 2,000 Lashes for Apostasy
Saudi Arabia has sentenced a Twitter user to 10 years in prison in addition to 2,000 lashes for publishing 600 tweets "which spread atheism" online.
Swasthani Vrata Katha in Photos: Nepal’s Month-Long Festival of Fasting and Praying for Spouses’ Well-Being
The ritual is said to have started after King Himalaya’s daughter Parvati, the Hindu goddess of love, fertility and devotion, spent a month fasting and praying to the goddess Swasthani.
Thirty Saudi Religious Police Complete Course on How to Fight Black Magic
Thirty members of the Commission for the Protection of Virtue and Prevention of Vice completed a five-day course on how to fight black magic, identify sorcerers and even break their spells.
Oz Comedian's Song Challenges Cardinal to ‘Come Home’ for Child Sex Abuse Hearing
Tim Minchin has attacked Cardinal George Pell in a song and demanded he return home to give evidence to the royal commission on child abuse.
Three Important Hashtags Muslim Women Used to Battle Islamophobia and Sexism
Increasingly, Muslim women are turning to Twitter to take on people who use them as pawns to justify misogyny, racism, imperialism, and militarism.
Bangladeshi Authorities Arrest Publisher and Shut Down Book Fair Booth for ‘Hurting Religious Sentiments’
Bangladesh’s constitution enshrines the right to free expression, and atheists have the same rights as other citizens. But authorities have done little to stop attacks against those critical of religion.
A Pakistani Artist Remembers Sabeen Mahmud and her Valentine's Day Campaign
According to one of activist Sabeen Mahmud's killers, her '"un-Islamic" Valentine's Day rally was "the sin she eventually paid for."
‘An Unapologetic Independent Thinker': A Conversation With St. Lucian Poet Vladimir Lucien
"Caribbean literature nowadays is very much a mixed bag [...] I think it is several Caribbeans that we are seeing."
Mexicans Unanimously Welcomed Pope Francis This Weekend. Or Did They?
Millions of Mexicans were anxious to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis this weekend, during the pontiff's long-awaited visit. Not everyone is rolling out the red carpet, however.
When a Syrian Town Has So Many Foreign Fighters That English and German Are Common Languages
Manbij is populated by so many foreign fighters that English and German are now commonly spoken languages in the small town.
Unbelievable: Saudi Arabia's Vice Police Arrests a “Female” Mascot
Saudi Arabia's religious police arrested a "female" mascot.
These Speed Drawing Videos Promote Tolerance and Women Empowerment in Indonesia
"With the spread of extremist doctrines targeting vulnerable youth, the need for alternative messages to violent intolerance that celebrate Indonesia’s spirit of pluralism and unity in diversity is increasingly urgent."
‘Lion's Blood’ Stickers Pop Up All Over Sri Lanka, Stoking Fears of Renewed Ethnic Hatred
"Today, politically motivated groups alleged to be close to the former regime have unleashed a new wave of hate and racism under the “Sinha Le” label."
