Stories about Religion from August, 2023
A Mauritanian high school student faces the death penalty over blasphemy
The gravity of the situation cannot be underestimated, as she now faces the possibility of severe punishment, including the death penalty, under Article 306 of the Mauritanian Penal Code.
Did the Myanmar junta build the ‘world’s biggest Buddha statue’ to whitewash its crimes?
Myanmar’s military regime unveiled a large Maravijaya Buddha statue in a massive religious ceremony, which critics describe as an attempt to distract from the junta’s brutal leadership.
Christian community comes under attack in Pakistan once again
On 16th August, over 19 churches and 80 Christian homes were vandalised by an angry mob reacting to an alleged incident of blasphemy in Jaranwala, a town in Faisalabad, Punjab province.
Musicians in Afghanistan live in fear and despair amid the Taliban ban on music
"Taliban have transformed Afghanistan into a place deprived of music and art. They transformed it into a quiet, dumb country."
Only Sharia-following women can engage in Kuwaiti politics
Kuwaiti activists and citizens are expressing discontent over the endorsement of a new law that seemingly aims to use religion to sideline women from politics.
A peek into Taiwan's small Jewish community: Interview with Rabbi Cody Bahir
While small, the Jewish community has been present in Taiwan for over 70 years and has now a new rabbi who shared about the community in an interview to Global Voices.
Is the exiled Iranian queer community finally getting acceptance in the Iranian diaspora?
Punishable by death in Iran, homosexuality is also condemned by many member sof the Iranian diaspora. Yet thanks to a few exiled activists, things could be changing outside the country.