Stories about Religion from April, 2011
China: Poem Dedicated to Lobsang Tsepak
High Peaks Pure Earth has translated a poem by Woeser dedicated to Lobsang Tsepak, a monk of Kirti Monastery, Ngaba, who was studying at Beijing's Central University for Nationalities and was arrested on March 25, 2011 for unclear reasons.
Iran: Islamist bloggers divided over Ahmadinejad-Khamenei rift
It appears from Iranian Islamist blogs that the honeymoon between Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Islamic Republic's Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is finally over. Some reject Ahmadinejad is favor of the Supreme Leader while others show unwavering support for Ahmadinejad.
Egypt: Sectarian Strife?
Egyptian Dr. A. blogs about sectarian strife in this must read post.
Guatemala: Remembering the Death of Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera
In Central American Politics, Mike writes: “On this date [April 26] in 1998, Roman Catholic Bishop Juan Gerardi Conedera was found bludgeoned to death in his residence in Guatemala City. […] The Catholic Church and the people of Guatemala are still waiting for justice in the bishop's death.”
Australia: Crusading Christian Lanced by Own Tweets
Australian Christian Lobby Director Jim Wallace tweeted on ANZAC Day that Australians didn't fight during World War I for gay marriage and Islam. He has since then deleted his tweet and apologized for his remark. Here are some online reactions from Australia.
Nigeria: On “You Must Be Rich” Gospel
Fariku discusses the “you must be rich gospel” in Nigeria: “In glorifying money and the pursuit of wealth, many clergy lead their congregations astray. Church becomes a competition, who looks best, who is wearing the fanciest clothes, who is driving the most expensive cars. The materialism apparent in these churches...
Guatemala: Maximón and Other Holy Week Traditions
The different and special elements of religiosity in Guatemala make Holy Week (in Spanish, 'Semana Santa') quite a unique experience. Somehow the Catholic religion has been "hacked" to incorporate indigenous peoples' gods, goddesses, rites and ceremonies while integrating elements of Catholicism.
Indonesia: Suicide Bomber Targets Police Mosque
A suicide bomber attacked the Adz-Zikro mosque located within a police complex in Cirebon City in Indonesia last Friday, April 15, 2011. Dozens were injured when the bomb exploded during Friday prayers. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim dominated nation in the world and in recent years, it has been targeted by extremist terrorist groups. Here are some reactions from Indonesian bloggers.
Nicaragua: Holy Week in the Countryside
While most Nicaraguans and foreign tourists like to spend their holidays in the beach, Ronald Hill Alvarez in Sueños del Caribe [es] recommends spending the ‘Semana Santa’ (Holy Week) holidays in the countryside. He also describes how people from this region celebrate the religious holiday.
Pakistan: In Support Of The Burqa Ban
Kalsoom at CHUP! Changing Up Pakistan highlights Nabiha Meher Sheikh, a freelance writer based in Lahore, who explains why she supports the burqa (full face veil) ban in France.
Barbados: Hot Cross Buns
As Holy Week begins, Tastes Like Home offers up “a Cross Bun recipe that totally satisfies…”
Tunisia: Bloggers Debate Secularism
Tunisia is a country of a large Muslim majority and the Tunisian Constitution states that Islam is the state's religion. However, the Tunisian society is one of the most secular ones in the Muslim world. After the Tunisian revolution, secularism has been the centre of heated debates on blogs. Here is a review of the debate.
South Asia: Reactions On The Burqa Ban In France
The recent ban imposed by France on burqa (niqab), the Islamic face veil, has created a lot of buzz across the different blogosphere of the world. Some South Asian bloggers are discussing this issue.
Palestine: Remembering Murdered Italian Activist Vittorio Arrigoni
Long before the deadline set by his captors arrived, kidnapped Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni was killed, apparently hanged. Bloggers in Gaza and elsewhere have reacted with disbelief, anger and sorrow.
Palestine: Kidnapping of Italian Activist in Gaza
Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni was kidnapped on Thursday 14 April, 2011, in Gaza by a Salafi-Jihadi group, who said that they would kill him if Sheikh Abu Al Waleed Al Maqdisi, recently arrested by the Hamas government, was not released. It was reported on Friday 15 April by various international media outlets that Vittorio Arrigoni has been found dead.
Guatemala: Photos of Lent Processions in Antigua
Antigua Daily Photo will be publishing one photo per day for one week of Lent processions in Antigua, Guatemala.
Indonesia: Ministry Orders Removal of Buddha Statue
Indonesia's commitment to promote religious tolerance was questioned again after the Religious Affairs Ministry ordered a large Buddhist statue in a monastery in North Sumatra to be removed after Muslim groups in the area protested against its presence.
Guyana: Losing Your Religion
“Each cast different blame. Your country fault. Your religion fault. And none can see that both is wrong…”: Guyana-Gyal thinks that many of the world's problems could be solved if people would actually listen.
Hungary: Catholic church scandal
Pestiside.hu addresses a current scandal rocking the Catholic church in Hungary, including allegations of pedophilia and financial misconduct.
Japan: The only native Japanese Imam in Tokyo
Uchujin/Adrian Storey realized a photofilm [en] that tells the story of Abdullah Taqy, the only native Japanese Imam in Tokyo – a metropolis of over 13 million people.
St. Vincent & the Grenadines:
Abeni blogs about a “heinous crime [which] came on the eve of Child Awareness month…”, using the opportunity to make a statement about a society in crisis.
