Religion HubThe Religion Hub is a feature of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative – a collaborative effort of Religion News Service, the Associated Press and The Conversation US. Made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc.
India-Canada tensions shine light on complexities of Sikh activism in the diaspora
By Deepa Bharath — September 25, 2023
(AP) — The debate over support for Khalistan and what activism looks like in the Sikh diaspora has intensified after Trudeau’s accusation that India may have had a hand in the assassination of 45-year-old Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Sikh activist whose killing has divided Canada and India?
By Krutika Pathi and David Cohen — September 21, 2023
NEW DELHI (AP) — Following his death, the World Sikh Organization of Canada called Nijjar an outspoken supporter of Khalistan who “often led peaceful protests against the violation of human rights actively taking place in India and in support of Khalistan.”
Canada gets muted allied support after alleging India may have been involved in killing of Canadian
By Rob Gillies — September 21, 2023
TORONTO (AP) — None of Canada’s most important allies — not the U.S., Britain, Australia or New Zealand, all knitted tightly together in the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing alliance — echoed Trudeau’s allegations.
Why India fears the Khalistan movement and how Canada became embroiled in diplomatic spat over killing of Sikh separatist
By Mark Juergensmeyer — September 21, 2023
(The Conversation) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke of ‘credible allegations’ of Indian involvement in a Sikh leader’s death.
Vatican considers child sexual abuse allegations against a former Australian bishop
By Rod Mcguirk — September 19, 2023
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The church investigation into Christopher Saunders began last year after the police investigation ended, said Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
India expels Canadian diplomat, escalating tensions after Trudeau accuses India in Sikh’s killing
By Krutika Pathi and Rob Gillies — September 19, 2023
NEW DELHI (AP) — The expelling came a day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were credible allegations that India was connected to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh independence advocate.
Not religious, not voting? The ‘nones’ are a powerful force in politics – but not yet a coalition
By Evan Stewart — September 19, 2023
(The Conversation) — Nonreligious voters are poised to make an impact, but sweeping statements about the ‘nones’ don’t tell the full story.
Canada expels an Indian diplomat as it investigates a Sikh’s killing. India denies an alleged link
By Krutika Pathi and Rob Gillies — September 18, 2023
TORONTO (AP) — Trudeau told Parliament that he brought up the slaying with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G-20 last week. He said he told Modi that any Indian government involvement would be unacceptable and that he asked for cooperation in the investigation.
Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are times for soul-searching, but not on your own – community has always been at the heart of the Jewish High Holidays
By David L. Graizbord — September 15, 2023
(The Conversation) — Community is vital in Jewish ritual and tradition, and the High Holidays are no exception, a Judaic studies scholar writes.
Ahead of High Holidays, US Jewish leaders stress need for security vigilance as antisemitism surges
By David Crary — September 14, 2023
(AP) — Over recent years — in the face of increased antisemitic threats and violence — the High Holiday season also is a time of heightened vigilance.
Sweeping study finds 1,000 cases of sexual abuse in Swiss Catholic Church since mid-20th century
By Jamey Keaten — September 14, 2023
GENEVA (AP) — The authors said in a statement that they identified 1,002 “situations of sexual abuse" in the Swiss church, including accusations against 510 people.
How September 1993, when Latter-day Saints leaders disciplined six dissidents, continues to trouble the church
By Benjamin Park — September 13, 2023
(The Conversation) — Many faiths face conflicts over dissent and institutional control. In Latter-day Saints history, the episode around the ‘September Six’ is particularly memorable.
The Vatican beatifies a Polish family of 9 killed by the Nazis for sheltering Jews
By Monika Scislowska — September 11, 2023
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — During a ceremonious Mass in the village of Markowa, in southeastern Poland, papal envoy Cardinal Marcello Semeraro read out the Latin formula of the beatification of the Ulma family signed last month by Pope Francis.
Saudi reforms are softening Islam’s role, but critics warn the kingdom will still take a hard line against dissent
By Nathan French — September 11, 2023
(The Conversation) — A scholar who has closely followed reforms that MBS has made to Wahhabism, an austere form of Islam, explains the changes taking place in the Saudi kingdom and their impact.
Catholic-Jewish research backs reports Catholic convents sheltered 3,000-plus Roman Jews during WWII
By Nicole Winfield — September 8, 2023
ROME (AP) — Researchers from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust research institute and Rome’s Jewish community released the findings at an academic workshop Thursday.
