Boko Haram
Africa’s Islamic extremist groups are on the rise
By Fredrick Nzwili — May 29, 2014
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Move over Al-Qaida. Africa's growing Islamic extremist groups include Boko Haram, Al-Shaabab and Seleka.
In a nutshell: What is Boko Haram?
By Oren Dorell — May 8, 2014
(RNS) Boko Haram opposes the education of girls and has kidnapped girls to use as cooks and sex slaves. It has killed hundreds of children.
Vatican calls for release of kidnapped Nigerian girls
By Josephine McKenna — May 8, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “The denial of any kind of respect for life and for the dignity of human beings, even the most innocent, vulnerable and defenseless, calls for the strongest condemnation,” the Vatican's chief spokesman said.
Nigerian cardinal: Schoolgirls’ abduction is shameful
By Josephine McKenna — May 7, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “We are all ashamed, terribly ashamed,” said Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, the archbishop of Abuja, in an interview aired on Vatican Radio.
Christian Britain * Breastfeeding pope * Stoned Brunei: April’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — May 5, 2014
Politicians and pundits debate whether Britain is a Christian state. A Polish art group is taken to court for “blasphemously” painting Pope St. JP2 breastfeeding a priest. And Brunei implements its first phase of harsh new Shariah penalties. All this and more in April’s global recap.
8 terrible countries for religious freedom the State Department won’t name
By Brian Pellot — April 30, 2014
The U.S. State Department names and shames eight “Countries of Particular Concern” that severely violate religious freedom rights within their borders. Now an independent watchdog is naming and shaming the State Department, saying its list should be doubled. Here’s a rundown of religious freedom violations in those overlooked eight.
Nigerian Christians begin three-day fast after schoolgirls kidnapped
By Fredrick Nzwili — April 22, 2014
(RNS) For five years, the Islamist insurgency known as Boko Haram has unleashed violence in northern Nigeria, but the girls’ abduction is viewed as the most terrifying so far.
Blurred Vision * Myanmar’s Muslims * Saudi insanity: March’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — March 31, 2014
World Vision flip-flops on hiring same-sex-married employees. Burma’s Muslims face new hurdles for marriage and childbirth. And Saudi goes nuts with new buffet and baby name bans. Sink your teeth into this all-you-can-eat March Recap while you still can.
Christian leaders urge dialogue with Nigeria’s violent Boko Haram
By Fredrick Nzwili — March 19, 2014
(RNS) While attacks on Christians ignite violent reprisals in the Central African Republic, Christian leaders in Nigeria continue to insist on a path of dialogue and nonviolence with Boko Haram, the Islamic militant group.
Christian persecution? * Bible balloons * The other Moonies: Religious Freedom Recap: Nov. 11-18
By Brian Pellot — November 18, 2013
Debate flares over how people define martyred and persecuted Christians. An American church drops Bibles over North Korea. And a drunken Wisconsin woman drops trou in the name of religious freedom. God bless America.
State Department names Boko Haram a terrorist organization
By Katherine Burgess — November 14, 2013
(RNS) Boko Haram, which means “Western education is forbidden,” is responsible for thousands of deaths in northeast and central Nigeria, according to the State Department.
Suzan Johnson Cook defends her work on religious freedom and explains why she left
By Lauren Markoe — October 28, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) The Obama administration's ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom is hoping to make more money in the private sector.
Q&A with United Nations religious freedom czar Heiner Bielefeldt
By Brian Pellot — September 6, 2013
Who better to discuss religious freedom than the man tasked with promoting and defending it for the United Nations?
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