World
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.
In rights landmark, Greek novelist and lawyer are the first same-sex couple wed at Athens city hall
By Associated Press — March 11, 2024
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A cross-party majority of Greek lawmakers approved same-sex marriage in a vote on Feb. 15, despite strong opposition from the socially conservative Orthodox Church.
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.
A Turkish artisan has kept the Istanbul skyline lit during Ramadan for decades. He may be the last
By Robert Badendieck and Emrah Gurel — March 11, 2024
ISTANBUL (AP) — The future of Mahya, the unique Turkish tradition of stringing religious messages and designs between minarets, hangs in the balance.
Ramadan begins in Gaza with hunger worsening and no end to the war in sight
By Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy — March 11, 2024
RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) —
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.
Reeling religion: From anime and sci-fi to rom-coms, films are full of faith in unexpected places
By David W. Stowe — March 11, 2024
(The Conversation) — Plenty of movies have explicitly religious themes, but some of the most interesting examples of faith or transcendence on screen are much more subtle.
Ramadan will be difficult for those in Gaza or other war zones – what does fasting mean for those who might be already starving?
By Mahan Mirza — March 11, 2024
(The Conversation) — Ramadan encourages acts of charity. This also poses a question for many Muslims as they consider what more could be done to feed the hungriest in the world, many of whom are in Gaza.
Pope Francis tells Ukraine that there is ‘no shame in negotiating’
By Claire Giangravé — March 11, 2024
(RNS) — The pope’s words were met with outrage by Ukrainian political and religious leaders, while the Vatican scrambled to clarify the comments.
Biden’s pier for food aid into Gaza is no substitute for a Ramadan cease-fire
By Daoud Kuttab — March 8, 2024
(RNS) — The prospects for peace diminish with every passing day of Ramadan that goes without a cease-fire.
