International
3 Egyptian Coptic church monks are killed in an attack at a monastery in South Africa
By Gerald Imray — March 14, 2024
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — The attacks in Egypt have subsided recently amid tighter security around Christian places of worship in the Muslim-majority country.
Evangelical Christians are fierce Israel supporters. Now they are visiting as war-time volunteers
By Melanie Lidman — March 14, 2024
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s Tourism Ministry estimates around one-third to half of the approximately 3,000 daily visitors expected to arrive in March are part of faith-based volunteer trips.
US-mandated religious freedom group ends Saudi trip early after rabbi ordered to remove his kippah
By Jon Gambrell — March 13, 2024
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Displaying any religious symbols other than Islamic ones remains criminalized in Saudi Arabia.
India’s new citizenship law excludes Muslims. Here’s what to know
By Sheikh Saaliq — March 12, 2024
NEW DELHI (AP) — The implementation of the law has been one of the key poll promises of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the run-up to the general election, which is scheduled to be held by May.
Mexico’s presidential candidates sign commitment for peace with church leaders concerned by violence
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — March 12, 2024
MEXICO CITY (AP) — According to the church leaders, Mexico suffers from a “deep crisis of violence and social decomposition.”
Ramadan kicks off in much of Asia, a day after most of the Middle East
By Niniek Karmini — March 12, 2024
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — The government set the start of the holiday for Tuesday after teams from more than 100 regions failed to sight the new moon Sunday.
The anti-Zionist Jews countering mainstream support for Israel
By Yonat Shimron — March 11, 2024
RALEIGH, N.C. (RNS) — Pro-Israel Jews have denounced anti-Zionists as antisemitic and not really Jewish. But the ranks of this group are growing, and their criticism of Israel is catching on among younger U.S. Jews.
What is Ramadan and how do Muslims observe the Islamic holy month?
By Mariam Fam — March 11, 2024
CAIRO (AP) — Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar; the month cycles through the seasons.
The Netherlands opens a Holocaust museum as protesters oppose Israeli president’s presence
By Barbara Surk and Molly Quell — March 11, 2024
AMSTERDAM (AP) — Herzog hailed the Netherlands's initiative to create a new Holocaust museum amid what he said was raising antisemitism around the world.
An effort to get aid to Gaza by sea is moving ahead. But the first ship is still waiting in Cyprus
By Samy Magdy and Wafaa Shurafa — March 11, 2024
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel says it welcomes the sea deliveries and would inspect Gaza-bound cargo before it leaves Cyprus.
On eve of Ramadan, Jerusalem’s Old City offers little festivity as Gaza war rages
By Jack Jeffery — March 11, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli government has provided few details ahead of this year’s Ramadan.
Muslims welcome the holy month of Ramadan with a mix of joy and deep concern
By The Associated Press — March 11, 2024
(AP) — This year, war and starvation in the Gaza Strip casts an especially dark shadow on the festivities.
Muslims spot Ramadan crescent moon in Saudi Arabia, meaning month of fasting starts Monday for many
By Jon Gambrell — March 11, 2024
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — During Ramadan, those observing typically break their fast with a date and water, following the tradition set by the Prophet Muhammad.
Excitement and skepticism meet Algeria’s decision to import beef to meet high demand during Ramadan
By Associated Press — March 11, 2024
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — For Algerians flocking to new imported meat stores staffed by butchers in white coats, the arrival of beef from as far away as Australia has raised both excitement and skepticism.
Tattooing has held a long tradition in Christianity − dating back to Jesus’ crucifixion
By Gustavo Morello — March 7, 2024
(The Conversation) — Historically, many Christians got tattoos around Holy Week − usually a cross − to honor Christ’s martyrdom.
