Stories about Religion from December, 2007
Haiti: Prayer for the New Year
Pwoje Espwa bids 2007 farewell and welcomes the New Year with a prayer.
Bahrain: Reactions after the riots and arrests
In another special roundup, we have the reactions of Bahrain's bloggers to the events of the last few weeks, when rioting took place after the death of a demonstrator during a commemoration of 'Martyrs' Day', and many were subsequently arrested.
Ethiopia: Queen of Sheba, Now Available in French
Francophone music blog Roots and Culture interviews Samuel Malher, a religious scholar from Strasbourg who has written the first unabridged French translation of the Kebra Negast, a sacred Ethiopian text. It describes the heritage of the Ethiopian monarchs, who trace their lineage to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, and how the Ethiopians became God's new chosen people when the Ark of the Covenant was taken from Israel to Ethiopia.
Sudan: The Aftermath of the Teddy Bear Circus
Not surprisingly, about a month ago the Sudanese blogosphere's main topic and attraction was the teddy bear circus which received a huge amount of global media attention.
Ethiopia: French Translation of the Kebra Nagast
Roots and Culture interviews [FR] Samuel Mahler, who recently translated the Kebra Nagast, a sacred text of many Ethiopian Christians and Rastafarians, into French.
Burkina Faso and the Hajj
QuophyBlogeur writes about the perils of Burkinabe muslims [FR] making the pilgrimage to Mecca: “Fortunately Allah is merciful enough to tolerate the late arrival of poor pilgrims at the mercy of an organization practically on the verge of chaos.”
Francophone Morocco on Eid Mubarak Said
Last week, Morocco celebrated Aid el-Kebir (“Big Eid”), a festival commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac, and God's mercy in sparing him. Family members visit each other over the largest meals they can afford, exchange gifts (often clothing), give alms (zakat, one of the five Pillars of Islam)...
Poland: Christmas
the beatroot cites an opinion poll that shows that Christmas in Poland “is a time where family and traditions take precedence over the religious nature.”
Africa: Dealing with AIDS in Africa
Black Looks discusses the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa: “But I was quickly disappointed by the article, even if it spoke some truths that I would agree with. Shunning promiscuity is one of those. But the author also says things like, “since the condom is about safe sex and safe...
Pakistan: Churches in Pakistan
All Things Pakistan wishes its readers on Christmas, and links to one of their old posts with photographs of churches in Pakistan.
Guatemala: Christmas Eve
La Antigua Guatemala Daily Photo explains how Guatemalans spend Christmas Eve or “Noche Buena”.
Lithuania: Religion
Lituanica cites the results of a survey on religious views of the Lithuanians.
Palestine: Christmas and the Occupation
Mohammad from Kabobfest sheds light on Christmas in a Holy Land under occupation.
Iraq: Xmas for Forgiveness
Christmas brings with it a message for forgiveness in Iraq, writes IraqPundit in this post.
Iraq: No Islamic Blogs
“Anyone complaining about rising Islamist influence in Iraq hasn't seen Iraqi blogs, where the hell are the Islamic blogs?” asks Konfused Kid from Iraq.
Christmas in Qatar
From Qatar, Peaceful Muslima shares her experiences with Christmas in the Arab Gulf state.
Bangladesh: Outsourcing sacrifice
Bangladesh Corporate Blog wonders if there is a more convenient way to take care of animal sacrifices required for religious reasons.
Haiti: Meaning of Christmas
Pwoje Espwa says Christmas is “less commercialized” in Haiti.
Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica: Caribbean Christmas
“Not only do we enjoy warm weather when most of the rest of the world is cold, but we also have a way of making the season festive”: Living in Barbados offers a glimpse of Christmas in the Caribbean.
Armenia: Christmas Comes Early
The Armenian Observer says that while he can understand why international contacts and friends are wishing him Merry Xmas, he is irritated that Armenians are doing so as well. While the West celebrates Christmas on 25th December, Armenians will not do so until 6 January.
Jordan: Views on Wearing the Hijab
“I'm not Anti-Hijab or Anti-Hijabi or anything. But I really find it weird that some ladies are so keen on wearing it, while they live up to nothing that it represents,” writes Qwaider, from Jordan.
