World
The worship of Shiva, Hinduism’s ‘inconceivable’ deity, finds a home in the tech sector
By Richa Karmarkar — April 11, 2024
(RNS) — Often cast as the most transcendent sect of Hinduism, Shaivism’s appeal to scientific-minded Hindus is becoming more visible.
Bollywood is playing a large supporting role in India’s elections
By Preminda Jacob — April 11, 2024
(The Conversation) — Ahead of elections in India, a series of films that promote the ruling party’s right-wing ideology are seeking to influence voters. An art historian explains how the trend started.
Morocco’s earthquake killed thousands. But survivors marking Ramadan say it didn’t shake their faith
By Sam Metz — April 11, 2024
AMIZMIZ, Morocco (AP) — On Wednesday, as Eid al-Fitr began, the holiday mood for many Moroccans vacillated between festiveness and despair.
Brazil’s Yanomami leader asks the Pope to support President Lula in reversing damage to the Amazon
By Nicole Winfield — April 11, 2024
VATICAN CITY (AP) — History’s first Latin American pope has made caring for the environment, especially the Amazon, a hallmark of his papacy.
Desperate young Guatemalans try to reach the US even after horrific deaths of migrating relatives
By Giovanna Dell'orto — April 11, 2024
COMITANCILLO, Guatemala (AP) — Tens of thousands of youths from this region of Guatemala would rather take deadly risks than stay behind where they see no future.
Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Fitr, but the festivities are marred by the war in Gaza
By Niniek Karmini and Andrew Wilks — April 11, 2024
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Preachers in their sermons called on people to pray for Muslims in Gaza who were suffering after six months of war.
For Irish Muslims, Eid al-Fitr is a ‘mixture of happiness and sadness,’ as all eyes on Gaza
By Indy Scholtens — April 10, 2024
DUBLIN (RNS) — ‘The mind can never be clear from the sadness over what is happening in Gaza,’ said a spokesperson for the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland.
Baptist leaders urge House Speaker Mike Johnson to support Ukrainian Christians
By Adelle M. Banks — April 10, 2024
(RNS) — ‘We believe that God has put you in this position “for such a time as this,”’ Southern Baptist and Ukrainian Baptist officials wrote the speaker.
As a Ramadan like no other ends, Gaza’s shadow haunts Muslims young and old
By Dilshad Ali — April 10, 2024
(RNS) — Parents have few answers for children asking about what comes next for Muslims at home and abroad.
Eid prayers held in a historic former mosque in northern Greece for the first time in 100 years
By Costas Kantouris — April 10, 2024
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Wednesday marked the first time since the 1920s that the building was being used for mass prayers during Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim holiday at the end of the monthlong fasting period of Ramadan.
Pakistan deploys more than 100,000 police and paramilitary forces ahead of Eid al-Fitr
By Munir Ahmed — April 10, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The country has witnessed a surge in militant attacks in recent years, mostly claimed by Pakistani Taliban and separatists who mainly operate from the southwestern Baluchistan province.
Vatican’s top diplomat begins a 6-day visit to Vietnam aimed at normalizing relations
By Aniruddha Ghosal — April 10, 2024
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) —Vietnam described that appointment as a “historic moment,” underscoring a stronger relationship that could have implications in the future for the Holy See’s ties with China.
Transgender inclusion? World’s major religions take varying stances on policies toward trans people
By David Crary, Mariam Fam, and Deepa Bharath — April 10, 2024
(AP) – Around the world, major religions have diverse approaches to gender identity, and the inclusion or exclusion of transgender people. Some
For those with mixed families, Israel-Hamas war complicates already difficult terrain
By Tara Abhasakun — April 9, 2024
(RNS) — Since Oct. 7, writers who have both Palestinian and Jewish relatives are navigating polarizing arguments among family and friends as well as reexamining their own identities.
Why Sikhs celebrate the festival of Baisakhi
By Anshu Malhotra — April 9, 2024
(The Conversation) — The spirit of Baisakhi for Sikhs is reminiscent of the ideals of their gurus, who encouraged them to work toward building a just society.
