Stories about Religion from October, 2009
Saudi Arabia: To coed or not to coed
Should coed universities be allowed in Saudi Arabia? Saudi Jeans comments on the latest developments on this issue.
Dominica: Speaking with a Superstar
Dominica Weekly interviews “one of Dominica’s International heroes, Roots Reggae superstar Nasio Fontaine.”
Will Egypt import Chinese Hymens?
An artifical hymen kit is now available in the market. Egyptian law makers have banned the product while bloggers continue to debate the cons and pros of this Chinese 'invention' - and question its morality.
Israel: Ancient Prayers, Modern Messages in Jerusalem
Envision this: a woman prays at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site in Jerusalem, while holding a cell phone that relays the prayers to a friend. Leiv Esther reflects on the old and the new uniting to enhance our religious practice.
Israel: Photos of Jerusalem Festivities
Jews are currently celebrating the holiday of Sukkot (Feast of the Tabernacles). Israelity features photos of sukkah booths and festivities around Jerusalem.
Israel: Ahmadinejad A Jew?
Britain's Telegraph published a story claiming that Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's family may have Jewish roots. Israeli bloggers react to the news in this post.
Japan: The Buddha girls
They call them 'Buddha girls' (仏女 butsujo), Japanese ladies in their 30s or 40s passionate about visiting temples and admiring statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva.
Saudi Arabia: Jeddah Girl
Remember the Qatif Girl‘s story? Saudi Jeans now tells us about the plight of Jeddah Girl, who was gang raped – and then sentenced to a year in jail and 100 lashes for getting herself raped and the resulting pregnancy.
Jordan: Religion Vs Marriage
Would you marry someone of a different faith? Kinzi, who is based in Jordan, discusses this issue here.
Sri Lanka: The Legend Of Deepawali
A Third World posts the legend of Deepawali, the Hindu festival of lights.
Israel: Prayers and Practices for Day of Atonement
This year, Yom Kippur was celebrated by Jews around the world on September 28th. As the holiest day of the Jewish calendar approached, Israeli bloggers took to the internet to share their thoughts, feelings, and hopes for the new year.
Israel: iTunes Podcasts Aim to Convert Jews to Christianity
Jewlicious reports that “Three of the top ten Jewish [iTunes] podcasts are non-Jewish podcasts that aim to convert Jews to Christianity.”
Japan: Visiting Todaiji Temple
Yama explains [ja] in detail the architecture of Todaiji temple [ja] (東大寺) in Nara and of its Great Buddha Hall (大仏殿 Daibutsuden), the largest wooden building in the world. Pictures of the temple complex are also provided.
Morocco: From Censorship to Seizure
The Moroccan Interior Ministry has decided to sue Arabic-language daily paper Akhbar Al Youm for publishing a cartoon lampooning the newly wedded Prince Moulay Ismail. Issues of the magazine have also been seized. Bloggers react to these latest developments in this post.
Bangladesh: The Need For A Spiritual Guide
“We accept teachers and masters in our life – at school, college, karate classes, even for driving lessons. But for the most important thing – the spiritual journey of our life – we believe we can do without a guide…” comments Sadiq Alam at Inspirations And Creative Thoughts.
Trinidad & Tobago: Law or Ethics?
“I tend to come at things from an ethical standpoint whereas most seem to come from a legal standpoint”: Trinidad-based KnowProSE.com examines the law as opposed to ethics and politics versus real issues.
Dominican Republic: Constitution Bans Abortion in All Cases
After an intense debate, legislators from the Dominican Republic ratified an article within the Constitutional Reform that makes it illegal for a woman to terminate her pregnancy in all cases.
