Law and Religion Headlines
Monday, 19 February 2024
The Islamic State group poses rising threat in Africa despite progress, UN experts say
(Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press)
Monday, 12 February 2024
From church to the mosque, faith and friends help Iowa’s African immigrants and refugees build a sense of home
(Osamamen Oba Eduviere and Brady G'Sell, The Conversation)
The rise of African prophets: the unchecked power of the leaders of Pentecostal churches
(Josiah Taru, The Conversation)
Webinar review: Ubuntu: traditional southern African philosophy
(JoAnne Wadsworth, Viewpoints, a blog of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association)
Friday, 9 February 2024
Rwanda: Polish President visits Kibeho shrine, praises work done by Catholic nuns in education
(Arnold Neliba, Catholic Information Service for Africa)
Thursday, 8 February 2024
WEBINAR, 8 February 2024 (2PM ET): Ubuntu: Traditional Southern African Philosophy
(Isaiah Zimba Chabala, Remi Alapo, Fainos Mangena, Arline Woodbury, G20 Interfaith Forum Blog)
WEBINAR, 8 February 2024, 12:00 pm MST (US and Canada): Ubuntu: Traditional Southern African Philosophy
(G20 Interfaith Forum)
Wednesday, 7 February 2024
Religious freedom in Africa: The launch of the African Forum for Religious & Spiritual Liberty
(YouTube Video, FOREF Europe)
CAR: Transforming conflict resolution in Central Africa Republic: KAICIID's pioneering initiative with Bangui University
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
Monday, 5 February 2024
In South America, African-inspired religions gain more followers
(Lucinda Elliott and Candelaria Grimberg, Reuters)
Friday, 2 February 2024
Erga Omnes Partes standing and procedural issues in South Africa v. Israel
(Jan-Phillip Graf, EJIL: Talk! Blog of the European Journal of International Law)
Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Brazil: Curitiba may declare African Religions cultural heritage (Portuguese)
(Redação, Tribuna PR)
Monday, 22 January 2024
The fight for justice in African churches (video)
(Mimi Mefo Takambou, Deutsche Welle)
Friday, 19 January 2024
DRC: Bishops warn country in danger, decry elections as fraudulent and full of violence
(Paschal Norbert, Catholic Information Service for Africa)
Kenya: government withdraws all teachers from a Catholic sponsored school after protest
(Arnold Neliba, Catholic Information Service for Africa)
Africa’s six Anglican women bishops meet and issue call to combat Africa’s ‘triple threat’
(Fredrick Nzwili, Religion News Service)
Friday, 12 January 2024
Egypt’s Al Azhar supports South Africa’s legal case against Israel before ICJ
(Egypt State Information Service)
Africa’s Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings, says such unions are contrary to God’s will
(Nicole Winfield, BBC News)
Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Morocco to lead UN Human Rights Council despite South Africa’s disapproval
(Al Jazeera)
Wednesday, 3 January 2024
South Africa: Despite gang killings of church members, South African pastors continue to preach
(Vicky Abraham, Religion Unplugged)
Tuesday, 2 January 2024
Nigeria: US lawmaker pushes for Nigeria's inclusion on religious persecution list
(Adekunle Agbetiloye, Business Insider Africa)
Saturday, 30 December 2023
South Africa bishops push back against Chief Rabbi who slammed Pope over Hamas
(Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Friday, 29 December 2023
South Africa: Two years after Desmond Tutu, South Africa still searches for moral guides
(Joséphine Kloeckner, La Croix International)
Friday, 22 December 2023
Christians everywhere should protest persecution in Middle East, Asia, Africa - opinion
(Leo Dee, The Jerusalem Post)
Chad: In Christmas message, Catholic Bishops in Chad call for walking “together in justice”
(Jude Atemanke, ACI Africa)
South African Catholic bishops educate voters to make better choices
(la cro, La Croix International)
Sowing seeds for a greener future: KAICIID's role at the African Union Interfaith Dialogue Forum
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
Wednesday, 13 December 2023
South Africa: Update on recent or current religious freedom issues and cases
(Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA))
Friday, 8 December 2023
In Togo, church leaders are exploring approaches to peace and stability in West Africa
(World Council of Churches)
Wednesday, 6 December 2023
South Africa: Up to 5 years in prison for peaceful expression: South African parliament passes “hate speech” bill
(ADF International)
Friday, 1 December 2023
CALL FOR PAPERS, abstracts due 1 December 2023: Conference on Religious Freedom in South Africa with the theme: Freedom of Religion or Belief in a Democracy
(International Institute for Religious Freedom)
South Africa's anti-Israel stance alarms country's Jews
(David Ehl, Deutsche Welle)
How does the wave of coups affect religious freedom in Africa?
(Jonatán Soriano, Evangelical Focus)
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Malawi: Africa’s Wall Street quiets Christian worship
(Nyasha Bhobo, Christianity Today)
Friday, 24 November 2023
DRC: “Let’s be vigilant and awake to protect our vote,” Catholic Bishops appeal ahead of December general elections
(Paschal Norbert, Catholic Information Service for Africa)
Kenya: Religious leaders ask government officials to stop lying to Kenyans
(Catholic Information Service for Africa)
Friday, 17 November 2023
Joint statement on the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS Africa Focus Group meeting
(U.S. Department of State)
Wednesday, 15 November 2023
USCIRF releases report on religious freedom in the Sahel region of Africa
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
VIRTUAL EVENT, 15 November 2023 (10AM ET US & Canada, 15:00 UTC, 17:00 South Africa): Honouring the late Prof. Johan D. van der Vyver, his life and legacy
(African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies)
Monday, 13 November 2023
Groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State take root on the coast of West Africa
(Sam Mednick, Associated Press)
Thursday, 9 November 2023
VIRTUAL EVENT, 9 November 2023 (3:30PM ET): Religious Freedom in the Sahel Region of Africa
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
EVENT, 8-9 November 2023: African Union Interfaith Dialogue Forum General Assembly (Kigali, Rwanda)
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
VIRTUAL EVENT, 9 November 2023 (17:00hrs in South Africa): Freedom of Religion under Threat
(YouTube Video, Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) and Word of Faith Christian Centre)
Wednesday, 8 November 2023
The Church of Jesus Christ joins with Muslim communities in peace-building efforts in West Africa
(Church News)
Wednesday, 25 October 2023
In South Africa, prosecutions intensify as bogus faith groups raid bird species for rituals
(Audrey Simango, Baptist news Global)
Monday, 23 October 2023
Man sentenced to 18 months in prison for making racially-motivated harassing calls to African American woman employed at Billings church
(U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana, U.S. Department of Justice)
Friday, 13 October 2023
Africa’s religious leaders take sides in ongoing Israel-Hamas war
(Tom Osanjo, Religion Unplugged)
Monday, 9 October 2023
Representatives from African nations and interfaith leaders attend landmark religious freedom event in the US
(Church News)
Friday, 6 October 2023
Fearing ostracism or worse, many nonbelievers hide their views in the Middle East and North Africa
(Mariam Fam, Associated Press)
South Africa: FOR SA’s submission on draft marriage bill focuses on protecting marriage officers
(FOR SA)
Monday, 2 October 2023
AME Bishop Silvester Beaman named chair of White House council on African engagement
(Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service)
The future of homeland security: Addressing the rise of terrorism in Africa
(Donna Charles, The United States Institute of Peace)
Saturday, 30 September 2023
CALL FOR PROPOSALS, deadline for responses 30 September 2023: 2024 ACLARS Conference Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
(African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ACLARS))
Friday, 29 September 2023
SURVEY, deadline 29 September 2023: The status and experience of the rights and responsibilities to religious freedom within the faith communities of South Africa
(CRL Rights Commission)
Friday, 22 September 2023
South African “hate speech” bill would violate human rights; Free speech experts address Parliament
(ADF International)
Zimbabwe: “Migrants need security to stop moving,” says Archbishop Kaliyanil ahead of World Migrants and Refugees Day
(Arnold Neliba, Catholic Information Service for Africa)
Wednesday, 20 September 2023
USCIRF releases new report on religiously based family law in the Middle East and North Africa
(U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Monday, 18 September 2023
African churches urge US Congress to reauthorize PEPFAR
(Fredrick Nzwili, Religion News Service)
Friday, 15 September 2023
"Any power conquered by force is unethical", says African cardinal
(Lucie Sarr, La Croix International)
Monday, 11 September 2023
G20 now includes Africa’s fast-growing, highly religious countries
(Brian Grim, Religious Freedom & Business Foundation)
Niger, coups, and violence in West Africa
(Eric Patterson, Providence)
Friday, 8 September 2023
Nigeria: Priest in Nigeria urges church leaders to be “articulate enough” on Christian persecution
(Agnes Aineah, ACI Africa)
Wednesday, 6 September 2023
US warns military takeovers in Africa’s Sahel hamper fight against terrorism in the volatile region
(Edith M. Lederer, Associated Press)
At African climate summit, faith leaders join demands for climate justice
(Fredrick Nzwili, Religion News Service)
Friday, 1 September 2023
Liberia: Bishops in Liberia caution Catholic lawmakers against “inaction” to oppose abortion
(Magdalene Kahiu, ACI Africa)
Wednesday, 30 August 2023
Interfaith dialogue and religious freedom: a project for the Near East and North Africa
(Meridian International Center)
Friday, 25 August 2023
Central African Republic: What’s religion got to do with it? External state engagement in the Central African Republic
(Laura Collins, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University)
Catholic bishops appeal for debt relief to help Africa
(Fredrick Nzwili, Union of Catholic Asian News)
Wednesday, 23 August 2023
African faith leaders statement on how Africa can emerge from today's multiple crises
(Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA))
Mozambique: Southern African leaders silent over abuses in Mozambique
(Zenaida Machado, Human Rights Watch)
Ghana: Don’t compromise bill for LGBTQ+ investors, clerics tell Parliament
(Arnold Neliba, Catholic Information Service for Africa)
Wednesday, 16 August 2023
South Africa: Marriage Bill concerns
(YouTube Video, Freedom of Religion South Africa)
West Africa’s leaders face the high stakes of Niger’s coup
(Johnnie Carson, The United States Institute of Peace)
Friday, 11 August 2023
South Africa: WCC general secretary meets with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa to discuss local and global peace
(World Council of Churches)
Wednesday, 9 August 2023
Niger: African bishops oppose military intervention to end coup in Niger
(Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
Friday, 4 August 2023
Russian patriarch reminds Africans of advantages in following Kremlin’s lead
(Tom Heneghan, Religion News Service)
Wednesday, 2 August 2023
South Africa’s new Marriage Bill raises many thorny issues - a balancing act is needed
(Anthony Diala, The Conversation)
Friday, 28 July 2023
Zambian faith, civil societies urge government to provide clarity on electoral reforms
(Magdalene Kahiu, ACI Africa)
Wednesday, 26 July 2023
Kenya: Bishop Lagho alleges capture of interfaith movement by politicians
(Arnold Neliba, Catholic Information Service for Africa)
Monday, 24 July 2023
Advancing inclusive and peaceful societies: The ethics education fellowship is making strides in Africa and Asia
(KAICIID Dialogue Centre)
Two visions for Africa (deeply rooted in Christianity; imported secularism)
(Eric Patterson, World)
Wednesday, 19 July 2023
LGBT rights in Africa: Will Kenya be the latest to pass anti-gay law?
(Catherine Byaruhanga, BBC News)
Monday, 17 July 2023
Law, African religion, and environmentalism
(Ikechukwu Anthony Kanu, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Friday, 14 July 2023
South Africa: Summary of FOR SA’s submission to Parliament on the hate speech bill
(Daniela Ellerbeck, Freedom of Religion South Africa)
Malawi: Religious groups protest homosexuality “an Imposition on Africa, Asia and Latin America”
(Arnold Neliba, Catholic Information Service for Africa)
Monday, 10 July 2023
Black nun who founded first African American religious congregation advances closer to sainthood
(Luis Andres Henao, Associated Press)
After the fall of Roe, emboldened religious conservatives lobby to restrict abortion in Africa
(Cara Anna, Associated Press)
Monday, 3 July 2023
African church leaders warn of new genocide risks in Sudan
(Ngala Killian Chimtom, Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse)
The competition for believers in Africa is transforming Christianity and Islam
(Francis X. Rocca, Nicholas Bariyo, and Gbenga Akingbule, The Wall Street Journal)
Monday, 26 June 2023
Churches in South Africa have a critical role in halting the cancer of corruption
(Jonatán Soriano, Evangelical Focus)
The provocation by witchcraft defence in anglophone Africa: Origins and historical development
(Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu, Oxford Journal of Law and Religion)
Faith-based organizations tell Congress to reauthorize PEPFAR
(Lydia Andrews, The Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN))
Monday, 12 June 2023
Fostering dialogue and action: The first international parliamentarians conference on freedom of religion or belief in Africa
(International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB))
Kenya: NCCK suggests enforcement of existing laws in memorandum to Senate ad hoc committee
(Arnold Neliba, Catholic Information Service for Africa)
Friday, 9 June 2023
Brazil: African cults are constant targets of attacks and religious intolerance (Portuguese)
(Angelo Peterson, Gazeta 24h)
Monday, 29 May 2023
Al-Shabab terrorists target African Union army base in Somalia
(Daily Sabah)
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
Don’t legalize same-sex unions: Malawi’s Christian leaders to judges ahead of ruling
(Magdalene Kahiu, ACI Africa)
Friday, 19 May 2023
Religion and educational mobility in Africa
(Alberto Alesina, Sebastian Hohmann, Stelios Michalopoulos & Elias Papaioannou, Nature)
Schism and legal disputes over ownership of church buildings in the history of the Nederduitsch Hervormde (Dutch Reformed) Church in South Africa
(Yolanda van der Vyver, Canopy Forum on the Interactions of Law & Religion)
Wednesday, 17 May 2023
EVENT, 14-17 May 2023: 10th ACLARS Conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire: Law, Religion, and Reconciliation in Africa
(African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ACLARS))
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