Law and Religion Headlines
Monday, 21 August 2023
Iran: Renewed crackdown on Christians in Iran underway
(Georgia Gilholy, Catholic Herald)
Imprisoned for 2018 social media post, Algerian Christian pastor released from prison
(ADF International)
Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria says no to military intervention in Niger
(Vatican News)
Zimbabweans debate manifesto promising to ‘restore’ Christian values
(Cyril Zenda, Religion Unplugged)
Riga’s Peitav-Shul bears witness to Latvia’s Jewish heritage
(Robert Carle, Religion Unplugged)
Hong Kong: Annual EU report illustrates further decline of fundamental freedoms
(European Commission)
Sri Lanka: Catholics slam Sri Lanka prez for political speech at shrine
(Union of Catholic Asian News)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns Holy Quran copy burning in front of Libyan Embassy in Denmark
(The Libya Observer)
Article 18: an indivisible right divided
(José Luis Bazán, Aid to the Church in Need)
Argentina: Anti-cult repression in Argentina 2. Salum, PROTEX, and the Buenos Aires Yoga School
(Willy Fautré, Bitter Winter)
ISIS just got a new boss. Does anyone care anymore?
(Max J. Prowant, Newsweek)
Column from Italy: Authority doesn’t see Protestant house of worship as church
(Chiara Lamberti, Christian Network Europe)
Italy: Historic decline in religious practice
(FSSPX)
Philippines: Religious freedom bill sparks concern and support among religious groups
(Adventist News Network)
Without religious freedom, democracy is impossible: Summary of the round table at UCU
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Procedure for prohibiting the UOC-MP explained by the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Conscience Freedom
(Religious Information Service of Ukraine (RISU))
Russian Orthodox leader Patriarch Kirill’s unholy war against Ukraine
(Borys Gudziak, Atlantic Council)
India: Marginalization of human rights in modern India
(Areeba Mumtaz, SAMAA)
Malaysia: PM pledges sufficient funds to combat Islamophobia
(Free Malaysia Today)
Introduction: Ethnic Nationalism and Politicized Religion in the Pakistan-Afghanistan Borderland
(Ryan Brasher and Charles Ramsey, Taylor & Francis)
Pakistani brothers arrested for blasphemy after mob burns churches
(Reuters)
Pakistan: Blasphemy allegation triggers mob attack on Christian colony in Punjab
(CSW: Everyone Free to Believe)
Pakistan: Mosques probed over protest call in Pakistan blasphemy riots
(Agence France-Presse)
Around the web - 21 August 2023
(Law and Religion Forum, St. John's Law School Center for Law & Religion)
Articles of interest - 21 August 2023
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Christian preschools claim Colorado pre-K program forces them to contradict religious beliefs
(Samantha Kamman, The Christian Post)
Friday, 18 August 2023
New book: Islam, Religious Liberty and Constitutionalism in Europe
(Mark Hill KC and Lina Papadopoulou, Bloomsbury Publishing)
Germany slams Quran burning as ‘disrespectful, inappropriate’
(Middle East Monitor)
Sweden raises its terror threat level to high for fear of attacks following recent Quran burnings
(Karl Ritter and Jan M. Olsen, Associated Press)
Ori Aronson on religion and the constitutional crisis in Israel
(Interview by Dmytro Vovk, Talk About: Law and Religion - Blog of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies)
Israel may uproot ancient Christian mosaic near Armageddon. Where it could go next sparks outcry
(Ilan Ben Zion, Associated Press)
Rising intolerance in Pakistan and misuse of its blasphemy laws
(Kiyya Baloch, Religion Unplugged)
Pakistan arrests 129 Muslims after mob attacks on churches and homes of minority Christians
(K.M. Chaudhry and Munir Ahmed, Associated Press)
Pakistan’s Christian community reels from violent attacks
(Al Jazeera)
Pakistan: Authorities must ensure protection of minority Christian community
(Amnesty International)
Legal experts question judge’s order telling Southwest lawyers to get religious-liberty training
(David Koenig, Associated Press)
Shaligrams, the sacred fossils that have been worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists for over 2,000 years, are becoming rarer because of climate change
(Holly Walters, The Conversation)
Summer camp in California gives Jewish children of color a haven to be different together
(Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press)
EVENT, 14-18 August 2023: 2023 Parliament of the World's Religions: A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights (Chicago, USA)
(A Call to Conscience: Defending Freedom & Human Rights, Parliament of the World's Religions)
Cambridge Hindus 'brimming with pride' as PM speaks at Ram Katha
(Katy Prickett, BBC News)
Indonesian schoolgirls testify on mandatory hijab and bullying
(Andreas Harsono, Human Rights Watch)
Indonesia wants to export moderate Islam
(The Economist)
Afghanistan: Call for justice, accountability, and effective response to ongoing violations and gender persecution
(Freedom House)
Nicaraguan government seizes highly regarded university from Jesuits
(Associated Press)
From interfaith vegans to inclusive heathens, religious Parliament offers it all
(Bob Smietana, Religion News Service)
USCIRF releases new report on religious freedom conditions in Nepal
(United States Commission on International Religious Freedom)
Photographer, model detained for insulting religious values due to photos at Ankara mosque
(Stockolm Center for Freedom)
Daesh continues to lose influence and effectiveness in Iraq, says US general
(Ray Hanania, Arab News)
China makes it harder for its Muslim citizens to go to Mecca, or anywhere else
(Emily Feng, NPR)
Florida may never free this prisoner, but court says one of his freedoms must be restored
(Camellia Burris, Miami Herald)
European Court of Human Rights to settle Covid worship question
(Lois McLatchie Miller, Scottish Legal News)
Malaysia Federal Court: No issue arising over Islam as official religion of the Federation in duo’s challenge to Kelantan’s 20 Shariah offences which overlap with federal govt’s laws
(Kenneth Tee, Malay Mail)
Vulnerabilities of religious minorities in India: Unmasking the impact of rising Hindu nationalism
(Dr S. Khan, Australian Institute of International Affairs)
Will Modi’s Uniform Civil Code kill Indian ‘secularism’?
(Sonia Sarkar, Al Jazeera)
Nigeria religious freedom: journalists to develop media guide on reportage
(Hadiza Ndadama, Voice of Nigeria)
Pro-life protesters can continue viewpoint discrimination suit over D.C. defacement ordinance
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Faith leaders call for repentance and spiritual reformation to address climate change
(Bob Smietana, Religion News Service)
Why is Niger so important for the West? (video)
(Tainã Mansani, Deutsche Welle)
Argentina: Anti-cult repression in Argentina 1. PROTEX and Pablo Salum
(Willy Fautré, Bitter Winter)
Interfaith dialogue: Parliament of the World’s Religions convenes in Chicago with a focus on human rights
(Craig C Lewis, Buddhistdoor)
Catholic workplaces should tell employees: Anti-discrimination laws won't protect you
(Jacquelyn Oesterblad, National Catholic Reporter)
Jewish families fight California ban on special education funds for religious schools
(Dennis Romboy, Deseret News)
Statement from the Bishops of Peru: "Let's not open the doors to the culture of death" (Spanish)
(Conferencia Episcopal Peruana)
Russia: Pacifist Christian musician fined, banned from internet posting
(Victoria Arnold, Forum 18 News Service)
Colorado regulations put Catholic preschools in dilemma, lawsuit says
(Mark A. Kellner, The Washington Times)
Wednesday, 16 August 2023
Dr. Paul Lambert joins the Wheatley Institute as the Director of the Religion Initiative
(Wheatley Institute, Brigham Young University)
Secretary-General calls on political, community, religious leaders to speak out against hate, violence, in message for International Day
(António Guterres, United Nations)
Lantos Foundation to honor Canadian human rights lawyer and former Justice Minister Irwin Cotler with 2023 Lantos Human Rights Prize
(The Lantos Foundation)
Canadian civil society urges Trudeau to act on human rights violations in India
(Middle East Eye)
Threat from climate change to some of India’s sacred pilgrimage sites is reshaping religious beliefs
(David L. Haberman, The Conversation)
Ghana’s plans for a national cathedral are mired in controversy and delays − but also reflect religion’s strong role in the nation’s identity
(Nicolette Manglos-Weber, The Conversation)
Rep Chris Smith calls on Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega to provide proof that Bishop Álvarez is alive
(Michael Finan, U.S. Congressman Chris Smith)
South Africa: Marriage Bill concerns
(YouTube Video, Freedom of Religion South Africa)
Catholic school discrimination win boosts NJ religious firms
(Alex Ebert, Bloomberg Law)
Religious group sues Quebec for blocking event over anti-abortion concerns
(Montreal Gazette)
UN experts: ISIS group still has thousands in Syria and Iraq and poses Afghan threat
(Asharq Al Awsat)
Two years under the Taliban: Is Afghanistan a terrorist safe haven once again?
(Asfandyar Mir, The United States Institute of Peace)
Two years after Taliban takeover: why Afghanistan still poses a threat to the region and beyond
(Stefan Wolff, The Conversation)
Daesh still recruiting children, resurgence risks persist: UN report
(TRT World)
West Africa’s leaders face the high stakes of Niger’s coup
(Johnnie Carson, The United States Institute of Peace)
Jury finds pharmacy did not discriminate against woman when refusing to fill ‘morning-after pill’ prescription
(Rebekah Riess and Kelly Murray, CNN)
Injuring police chief's reputation at his church was not free exercise violation
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
7th Circuit: Parties cannot force a constitutional ruling on school aid by rejecting statutory alternative
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
MD Supreme Court: State law sex discrimination ban does not include sexual orientation discrimination
(Howard Friedman, Religion Clause)
Church to accompany peace talks between Colombian government, National Liberation Army
(ACI Prensa)
Indonesia: Jakim will not condone any attempt to promote books with LGBT influence among children
(New Straits Times)
Is Israel on its way to becoming a religious 'halachic state'?
(Peggy Cidor, Middle East Eye)
Jewish extremist attacks on Christians in Palestine are a symptom of Israel's government
(Daoud Kuttab, New Arab)
ACLJ files in key federal court case to defend constitutionality of public prayer in defense of the City of Ocala, Florida
(Abigail A. Southerland, American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ))
GOP lawmaker apologizes for ‘religious freedom’ tweet
(Lauren Sforza, The Hill)
‘Uncivil obedience’ becomes an increasingly common form of protest in the US
(Kristina M. Lee, The Conversation)
Religious act may protect Jehovah's Witness who refused psychiatric meds before trial, 5th Circuit says
(Debra Cassens Weiss, ABA Journal)
Looking long term: USU researchers studying intersection between LGBT+ mental health, religion
(YouTube Video, Utah State University)
PKK/YPG supporters vandalise mosque in Germany's Hannover
(TRT World)
Muslim mobs attack churches in eastern Pakistan after accusing Christians of desecrating the Quran
(Asim Tanveer and Munir Ahmed, Associated Press)
Court watchdog files complaint against a judge who ordered ‘religious-liberty training’ for lawyers
(Associated Press)
A religious calling to protect democracy
(Chris Crawford, Religion News Service)
House GOP investigates State Department atheism grants
(Susan Crabtree, Real Clear Politics)
Belarus: Pastor jailed – to stop him attending "extremist materials" hearing?
(Olga Glace, Forum 18 News Service)
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