Stories about Religion from May, 2008
Iraq: Apology for Iraqi Children?
Iraqi blogger Imad Khadduri wonders now that a US general apologised for desecrating a copy of the Quran, the holy book of Muslims, will the US apologise to Iraqi children for occupying their country?
Kazakhstan: New Religion Law Criticized
KZBlog reports that as Kazakh Parliament debates a new religion law, Forum 18 reports on religious leaders’ complaints that the atmosphere in Kazakhstan is not as tolerant as the government often claims.
Paraguay: Mass Celebrated in Guaraní
Guillermo Verdún of Paraguayo [es] presents photographs of a mass in Asunción, Paraguay, which was celebrated in the indigenous language of Guaraní. The service was celebrated with the participation of various choirs and orchestras.
Iran:Six Bahai's Leaders were arrested
Naghidiagr, Iranian blogger, informs [Fa] us that Iranian security forces arrested six Bahai‘s religious leaders in Iran. The blogger reminds that Bahai students have no right to go to univestiy in Iran.
Syria: Crisis in Neighboring Lebanon
As the Lebanese leaders go to Doha, Qatar, to resume their "National Dialogue", here is a roundup of what Syrian bloggers had to say on the latest crisis in Lebanon. The Syrian bloggers were as divided as their counterparts in Lebanon about who is to blame for this latest crisis, and what must be done to avoid such events in the future.
Russia: Church vs Blogger Priests
Window on Eurasia writes that the Moscow Patriarchate is planning “to discipline Russian Orthodox priests who use the Internet to advance views at variance with those of the hierarchy or to challenge the church’s leadership in other ways.”
Blog for Palestine Day
Blogger za3tar has organized Blog About Palestine Day for today, May 15, the anniversary of the Nakba and Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations. Bloggers around the world were invited to blog for Palestine, as noted by Global Voices here. Many bloggers chose to participate in the event; here is a selection.
Lebanon: Warlords and not Leaders
Lebanese blogger Maze, who lives in Kuwait, asks: Will peace ever prevail in Lebanon? He appeals to his countrymen: “wake up ..don't let those sick minds who are in power influence you…yes we are governed by sick leaders..leaders who care for their personal interests and how to make fortunes from...
Saudi Arabia: Human Rights Appeals
Two human rights bodies are appealing to Saudi Arabia to drop charges against two Saudis – one for setting up a website and another for sitting with a woman in a coffee shop, reports Saudi Jeans.
China: Reprimand Theory
Michael from The Opposite end of China is furious at the reprimand theory of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka on the earthquake in Sichuan. Similar reprimand theory can also be found in Hong Kong. (via ESWN)
Lebanon: Back to sectarianism
“People are now being forced, many times against their will, back into their religiously dominated sectarian camps for protection. This has often heartbreaking personal consequences,” writes Manuela Paraipan about her experiences in the Lebanese conflict.
Bolivia: Plaza John Paul II in Oruro
Hugo Miranda writes about and takes photos of the opening of the Plaza John Paul II in Oruro, Bolivia [es]. The public space is presented twenty years after the Pope visited the city.
Trinidad & Tobago: The Burden of Choice
“In asserting women's right to choose, I wonder if we have not also lost the idea of child-bearing as a sacred responsibility, and have learned to see it as a burden which can be cast aside by ‘choice'?”: Trinidad and Tobago blogger Jeremy Taylor examines the issue of abortion.
Cuba: Why?
Both Uncommon Sense and Ninety miles away…in another country blog about José Manuel Caraballo Bravo's “rumination on the decided aversion to all things y on the part of the Havana ‘Commission'”.
Saudi Arabia: Why Are There No Cinemas?
"Why are there no cinemas in Saudi Arabia?" asks Saudi blogger Hayfa [Ar], who offers us her ideas of a workable plan to make cineplexes and movie screenings compliant with her country's traditional and religious outlook.
Bahrain: Witchcraft on the Table
From Bahrain, Mahmood Al Yousif paints a colourful picture of the proceedings of a parliamentary session – which discussed witchcraft.
Lebanon: Strike Gone Sour
May 7 should have been a day for general strike and demonstration to contest the government’s economic policies, price rise and low wages. The workers syndicate had to cancel the demonstration, although keeping the strike on, because clashes broke out in many places around Lebanon between different factions belonging to the pro–government and opposition camps. Bloggers were quick to comment on the events. Here are some of their reflections from yesterday although the events are escalating very fast into gunfights in the streets of Beirut. Check back for more summaries on bloggers posts and reports on the unfolding crisis.
China: Dialogue or Rebuke?
Woser reposted a discussion threat from kdnet about the dialogue between Dalia Lama's representatives and the United Front Work Department of CPC. Many felt the so-called “dialogue” was more like a “rebuke” [zh].
Pakistan: Alternatives to the Madrassa
CHUP! on a newspaper report on the trend of Turkish schools in Pakistan offering an alternative to Madrassa education.
China: Kriti Temple Destroyed
Woser posted pictures of Kriti Temple, a Tibetan temple in Szechuan province. All paintings with Dalai Lama's face were destroyed [zh].
Jamaica: Casino Royale?
Antonn Brown of Abeng News Magazine shares his views about the introduction of casinos in Jamaica.