Stories about Religion
Saydnaya: In Syria, a legacy of pain looking for an honorable cleansing
"For those of us who cherish the beauty and history of the town of Sydnaya, its prison’s notoriety has been a painful stain on a proud identity."
Children of the border: Uncovering the crisis of child labor and sexual exploitation at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border
At Torkham, a busy Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing, young children navigate heavy traffic, carrying burdensome loads. Their presence amid bustling trade highlights stark issues of exploitation, survival, and a precarious shadow economy.
The great Pakistan firewall and use of religion as a tool for digital authoritarianism
Pakistan has implemented a national firewall to regulate online content and mandated the registration of lawful VPN usage, with a ban on unregistered VPNs set to take effect from December 1.
Americans voted and the Caribbean has reacted
The outcome of the 2024 American presidential election has Caribbean netizens wondering about what Trump's upcoming second term in office might mean for things like immigration, trade, tourism, and climate cooperation.
The fascinating ghosts and monsters of Jamaica's folklore
Jamaicans don’t really “get” Halloween, but the island's folklore is replete with stories of “duppies” – ghosts or spirits – and monsters, many of them with roots in African retentions.
A recovery center in Nigeria takes a musical approach to combating drug addiction
Some studies suggest that religion and spiritual faith can help in preventing and recovering from substance abuse, largely because of the social support and a strong community that can emerge.
Miya Muslims of Assam, India, face eviction, threats, and oppression
The right-wing government in the Indian state of Assam, led by Himanta Biswa Sarma, has intensified its targeting of Bengali Muslims, also known as Miyas.
Reporting from a psychiatric ward housing Russian soldiers who fought Ukrainians
Soldiers live for months in the psychiatric ward. None of the patients the journalist spoke to wanted to return to the war, saying they'd rather go to prison or die.
Proposed mandatory halal certification for restaurants leads to criticism and a police probe in Malaysia
"The government must create a safe space for diverse perspectives to be voiced and debated without fear of retaliation. Investigating legislators for raising valid concerns undermines governance and public participation."
Inside the wardrobe: Women’s clothing increasingly policed in Tajikistan
Now, in Tajikistan women can be fined between USD 750–6,000 for wearing, selling or distributing foreign clothing which is perceived as being “inconsistent with national culture and traditions.”
Photo essay: The spirit of Navratri comes alive at Chittaranjan Park, Delhi
In this photo essay, photojournalist Shivansh Srivastava captures artisans as they breathe life into sacred clay to craft idols for Navratri, one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar.
How religious leaders exploit desperate people with disabilities in Nigeria
“Before I knew it, two men arrived and dragged me to the podium to testify that my sight had returned. They forced me to say something that wasn’t true.”
Jamaican Safiya Sinclair, author of ‘How to Say Babylon,’ reflects on her journey
“It was always about saying no to Babylon [...] a huge part of our childhood, figuring out the binary of us versus them, inside the house versus outside the gate.”
‘Buddha is with us!’ How the war in Ukraine has changed Russian Buddhism
While some Buddhists are making anti-war statements and emigrating abroad, others are going to the front lines, despite Buddhist values.
Fear and intolerance: The impact of blasphemy allegations on Pakistan’s minorities
Pakistan’s 8.7 million minorities face escalating religious extremism and violence, including forced conversions, mob attacks, and blasphemy accusations, fuelled by the growing influence of extremist groups like Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP).
Turkey's bill on stray dogs is not really about the safety of the streets
it is easier to address visible, attention-drawing issues such as stray dogs, rather than more subtle, insidious issues such as workplace safety and gender-based violence.
In Iran, persecuted minorities can also turn into persecutors
For the past four decades, the Islamic Republic has systematically repressed religious minorities. However, within society, some oppressed minorities have mirrored this behavior and become oppressors themselves.
Faith turns fatal as blasphemy laws ignite unchecked extremism in Pakistan
The rise in lynching incidents, fuelled by political support for blasphemy laws, reveals a disturbing trend of unchecked extremism threatening lives and justice in Pakistan.
Mauritania: First round of presidential elections on June 29, 2024
Seven candidates will compete in Mauritania’s first round of presidential elections on June 29, 2024. These include Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, the country’s president since August 2019.
Sanctifying the profane: The Russian Orthodox Church at the front
The militarization of the Russian Orthodox Church is ramping up, while the war is increasingly seen as sacred in the eyes of many Russians
An Orthodox priest in Kazakhstan is trying to open a church independent from the Russian Orthodox Church
The difficulty is that according to the law in Kazakhstan, preaching and missionary activity without registration are prohibited.
