World
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.
Hindu women look to ancient goddesses for guidance on modern feminism
By Richa Karmarkar — March 13, 2024
(RNS) — Many point to Shakti, the divine feminine energy, as an antidote to toxic masculinity.
Unexpected defeat of referendums shows growing power of Ireland’s traditional Catholics
By Daniel O'Connor — March 13, 2024
DUBLIN (RNS) — At a Mass said in Latin on Sunday (March 10), Ireland’s traditional Catholics declared political victory, days after a pair of referendums aimed at secularizing the Irish Constitution were unexpectedly and resoundingly defeated.
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.
All eyes on Rafah as Ramadan gets underway
By Omar Suleiman — March 13, 2024
(RNS) — Muslims have navigated war, famine and death in Ramadan, but we’ve never watched a genocide in real time.
Rabbi, religious freedom delegation end Saudi trip early after yarmulke incident
By Adelle M. Banks — March 12, 2024
(RNS) — ‘No one should be denied access to a heritage site, especially one intended to highlight unity and progress, simply for existing as a Jew,’ said Rabbi Abraham Cooper.
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.”
A Gaza family uprooted by war and grieving their losses shares a somber Ramadan meal in a tent
By Samy Magdy and Mohammed Jahjouh — March 12, 2024
MUWASI, Gaza Strip (AP) — Some 80% of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been displaced in the war, more than half of them crammed into the far south around the town of Rafah.
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.
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.
