Stories about Religion from October, 2008
Iraq: Egyptian Editorial Attacks Syria
Roads to Iraq notes: “Strange attack from the Egyptian newspaper Al- Gomhuria on Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Attri and accusing Syria with spreading Shiaism.”
Bangladesh: Sculptures, Bigots and Bloggers
A new controversy rattled Bangladesh last week. Authorities in Bangladesh were forced to remove five sculptures of Bauls (mystic folk singers) including Fakir Lalon Shah in front of the Zia International Airport in the face of protests from an Islamist group. They formed a sculpture prevention committee which pressed that...
Arabeyes: Mickey Mouse Must Die..or Maybe Not
Mickey Mouse must die, declared a Saudi cleric in a television interview. Or perhaps that is not exactly what he said. Regardless, the interview found its way to television screens and newspaper headlines around the world and bloggers are at loggerheads with the issue. Did the cleric literally mean that Mickey Mouse must die or was it just another ploy to sensationalise and poke fun of anything an Arab and a Muslim utters?
Bahamas, Haiti: Eyes of a Child
Doing Theology from the Caribbean republishes an essay written by a Haitian-Bahamian tenth grader who, after watching The Diary of Anne Frank, notices parallels between the Jews and Haitians.
Bahamas, U.S.A.: On Fundamentalism
“One of the problems with a fundamentalist mindset is that it takes a point of view and converts it into the ‘truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth’. This is as true for religious fundamentalism as it is for market fundamentalism”: Simon at Bahama Pundit explains.
Pakistan: Understanding ‘Media Mujahideen’
Manzoor Chandio at Pak Tea House writes on the growing phenomenon of urban Talibanism and critiques some columnists and anchorpersons of English and Urdu newspapers and TV channels of Pakistan naming them as ‘Media Mujahideen’.
Japan: Making Monks
Japan-newbie introduces a new blog called making monks, which aims at creating an online sangha capable of supporting the growth and development of Buddhist monks.
Global: Babbling Doll Offensive to American Parents
If you think that the incomprehensible sounds babies make mean nothing, think again. Keeping up with the times, the blogopshere is abuzz over Fisher-Price’s Baby Cuddle and Coo doll, which allegedly proclaims: "Islam is the light." Parents in the US are outraged and some shops have even pulled the 'offensive' doll off the shelves.
Israel: Surprise Awaits a Soldier
From Israel, A Soldier's Mother has a surprise for her son when he returns home. Also click on the link to read more about why many religious Jewish families don't like to have animals in their homes.
Saudi Arabia: What if the Prophet Were to Return to Saudi?
American Bedu asks: “[I]f the Prophet (pbuh) were to return to Saudi Arabia for even just one week, what would he think of what he sees today of the people? I think if he were to return during Ramadan he would be pleased in some cases but saddened and appalled...
Iraq: Christians in Danger
Writing at Mideast Youth, Iraqi Wameeth warns Iraqi Christians living in Mosul are in danger.
Iraq: Stop the Persecution of Christians in Mosul
Marshmallow, from Iraq, draws our attention to the plight of Christian Iraqis in Mosul.
Saudi Arabia: The Commercialisation of Mecca
American Bedu explains how commercialism is making is way to Mecca, the holiest of Islamic sites, where residents are being forced out of their apartments and homes, to make room for accommodation for pilgrims at inflated rates.
Syria: Petition Urging Men to “Cover Up” Launched
Syrian blogger Omniya [Ar] has heard enough about people ordering her to cover up and that women are to blame for falling victims to sexual harassment. Now is her turn to launch a campaign calling for men to cover up and lower their gaze.
Trinidad & Tobago: Down in the Valley
“The warnings are there, too many to ignore…people better start waking up. Better rebuild their community parlours and their sou sous and their gayaps. In the panic of markets and the trillions of debt and the excess of luxury, countries like Trinidad and Tobago…with so much for sale, will suffer...
Poland: Pope production peak
Polandian writes about the tendency to put up an increasing number of statues to deceased Pope John Paul II in Poland.
India: Hindu is not a God
Pastor Arnold Conrad termed “Hindu” as a God at a rally for John McCain in Davenport, USA. Varnam reacts: “Our God, Hindu, is not interested in a sophomoric ‘mine is bigger than yours’ competition. Mostly it is because our God, Hindu, is not a God.”
Jamaica: Changing Attitudes?
As The Jamaica Gleaner runs an article on the changing attitudes towards homosexuality (along with an interesting choice of stock photography), My View of JamDown from Up So wonders “what/if any backlash there will be among readers regarding this picture of two women, especially considering this is published on a...
Pakistan: Young apostates
Why are some young Pakistanis leaving Islam? Achelois: a retired goddess has some guesses.
Saudi Arabia: Ancient churches
Saudi Jeans explains that Saudi Arabia is the site of some of the oldest churches in the region, even though Christians cannot publicly practise their religion in the kingdom today.
Nepal: Celebrating Dashain festival
Bibek Paudal discusses the controversy regarding whether the new Maoist Prime Minister observed Dashain festivities (15 days long national festival of Nepal) or not. He reminds: “Dashain is a Nepalese festival, not a Hindu festival. Calling Dashain anything other than a social-cultural festival is undermining the many unique Nepalese elements...
