Stories about Religion from March, 2009
Haiti: Responding with Love
“Who is to blame? To me that is an irrelevant question. The question should be, how can I respond with love?”: The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog is shocked by “how ignorant many people in the developed world still are about AIDS.”
Iran: No Cake for Iranian Women on their Day
Although the Iranian government does not recognize the International Women's Day and has banned women activists from organizing gatherings and demonstrations to commemorate the day for the previous 30 years, Iranian bloggers and women activists remembered the 8th of March, honouring women in Iran and the rest of the world.
International Women's Day in Tunisian Blogs
Tunisia celebrates its National Day for Women on August 13. Calls are now being echoed in the blogosphere to join international women in their celebration and mark the day with the rest of the world on March 8, reports Lina Ben Mhenni.
Afghanistan: Plight of an Afghan Christian
Sanjar writes that many people in Afghanistan have turned to the faith of Jesus Christ in recent years. A few of them have done so openly, though most have kept their conversion secret.
Egypt: Dalia Ziada urges Saudi Arabia to end discrimination against Muslim women
On the occasion of Prophet Mohamed's birthday, Egyptian blogger Dalia Ziada launches a campaign asking Saudi Arabia to end their discrimination against young Muslim women worldwide! Marwa Rakha reports on the initiative.
Minority Rights In South Asia – Full Of Denials
The New Horizon comments on the state of minority rights in South Asia: “Each country says minorities are treated in the best possible ways they should have. However, as the UN data shows, all these countries have low rank in Human development and high rank in discrimination against minorities.”
Indonesia: Protest against Buddha Bar
Some Indonesian Buddhists are not happy over a bar in Jakarta which is known as the Buddha Bar. They believe the name of the pub insults Buddhism.
Mexico: The Cathedral of Oaxaca
Aquí Oaxaca [es] provides historical details of the Cathedral located in the heart of the Mexican city of Oaxaca.
Iran: A group of Muslim bloggers support Hoder
A letter was initiated by a group of Iranian Muslim bloggers inside Iran and calls on the Head of the Judiciary to act in bringing justice to Hoder, an Iranian blogger, who is now entering his fourth month in detention.
Jamaica, U.S.A.: Artist vs. Art
“What should a black reader do if he finds out that one of his favourite authors was racist?”: Jamaican Marlon James considers the options.
Syria: Anti-LGBT Campaign Sparks Heated Debate
This weekend the Syrian blogosphere warmed up for a new confrontation. A group of bloggers launched a campaign against the spread of blogs advancing LGBT rights, and the response came quick. LGBT is controversial everywhere, but within a society that is conservative in its majority, the topic gets much more sensitive and hotly-debated, writes Yazan Badran.
Egyptian -and Muslim- Girls between a Rock and a Hard Place
Egyptian women are trapped between who they are and who they are expected to be; they are required to live up to the expectations of their parents, families, colleagues, and later on, their husbands and children. In their attempt to meet those expectations, some of them feel that they lose touch with who they really are and the great things they can really do.
Egypt: Most Religious Country in World, Poll Says
Egypt is the most religious country in the world according to a new Gallup survey that asks respondents to answer “yes” or “no” to the question “Is religion an important part of your life?” Mo-ha-med of The Traveller Within responds.
Pakistan: Sufi Shrine Attacked
Talibans have blown up a Sufi shrine in Peshawar. Let us build Pakistan explains why they attack the shrines. Hasan Mubarak at Lahore Metblogs questions whether Sufism can be the savior from the current situation.
India: Fearless Karnataka
Ultra Violet informs that: “in response to the recent attacks against women in the city of Bangalore, many individuals and organisations have come together to form FEARLESS KARNATAKA or Nirbhaya Karnataka to reclaim public spaces and promote safety for all.”
Pakistan: Inching Towards A Failed State
Muneeb Ali comments on the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore: “I must admit. I am scared. For the first time, the glaring reality that Pakistan is a failed state is sinking in. We are all waiting for a train-wreck, with everyone on board. And I believe that...
Czech Republic, Slovakia: Masopust/Fasinek
Belatedly, links to posts on Masopust, a Czech carnival, and Fasinek, a Slovak carnival, at CzechFolks.com and Czechmatediary.
Israel: Is Lindsay Lohan Converting to Judaism?
Word in the Israeli blogosphere is that Lindsay Lohan is converting to Judaism. On her personal Facebook page, Lohan last week said she hoped that the conversion will bring her closer to her Jewish girlfriend, Samantha Ronson. Lohan and Ronson are currently in London attending a family bar mitzvah. The announcement has been met with mixed reviews.
Haiti: Carnival or Nothing!
The succession of disasters in Haiti in 2008 like the hurricanes Ike, Hannah and Gustav and the tragic collapse of a primary school in November, in Pétionville, has probably made the celebration of Carnival even more relevant and necessary in Haiti this year.
Russia: Kadyrov approves honour killings in Chechnya
A Step At A Time reports on a Moscow Times story that Kadyrov has approved of a number of honour killings in Chechnya.
Africa: Blogging And Walking With God
It has been a while, but as with most things, blogging did not wait for life to catch up with it – it can be said that blogging helped to keep many sane as they weather the storms that life brings them. Through struggles and fears and laughter and tears, African women bloggers have continued to tell their stories and to share their walk with God. 2008 was a year of growth for many. It follows, then, that 2009 will be a year of maturity.
