Indonesia
Indonesian villagers mistake inflatable sex doll for an angel
By Yonat Shimron — May 3, 2016
(RNS) The doll was dressed in a Muslim headscarf and taken out on a boat trip.
Islamic State launches daring attack in Indonesia’s capital
By Reuters — January 14, 2016
JAKARTA (Reuters) It was the first assault on the Muslim-majority country by the radical group, but five of the seven people killed were attackers.
Indonesia urged to drop virginity tests for female police, military recruits
By Reuters — May 14, 2015
(Reuters) Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population, last year admitted it conducted virginity tests on women trying to join the police or military even though the World Health Organization says the test has no scientific validity.
Indonesian Islamic parties seek ban on alcohol consumption
By Reuters — April 14, 2015
JAKARTA (Reuters) Two Islamic parties have proposed legislation that would ban all consumption of alcoholic drinks and bring jail terms of up to two years for offenders in Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population.
Travelblog: The truth about Shariah
By Kevin Eckstrom — September 10, 2014
BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (RNS) The reality is that the imposition of Shariah law in this corner of the world's most populous Muslim nation was a cynical political ploy -- and it worked.
Travelblog: Hipster hijabs
By Kevin Eckstrom — September 5, 2014
JAKARTA, Indonesia (RNS) For many people, the hijab is a kind of Rorschach test -- we use it, unconsciously or not, as a barometer about our feelings on Muslims or Islam.
Travelblog: 3 things Indonesia can teach the Muslim world
By Kevin Eckstrom — September 3, 2014
JAKARTA, Indonesia (RNS) Seeing reports of yet another gruesome murder in the name of Islam is enough to make you turn away. But the Islam you see here might just be enough to deserve another look.
Indonesian woman gang-raped, faces caning for adultery
By Michael Winter — May 8, 2014
(RNS) Islamic religious police in Indonesia plan to publicly flog a 25-year-old widow and a married man for adultery after vigilantes gang-raped her as punishment for having extramarital sex, according to media reports.
Indonesian president says he believes in witchcraft
By Vishal Arora — January 21, 2014
(RNS) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono may be the first Indonesian president to acknowledge publicly he believes in witchcraft. In a recently published memoir, he describes a “horror movie” style encounter with black magic at his residence.
Report: 8 countries on UN Human Rights Council restrict religious freedom
By Brian Pellot — December 31, 2013
LONDON (RNS) A new report says eight current and incoming member states of the U.N. Human Rights Council were among 24 countries to imprison believers and atheists in 2013 for violating local laws that restrict freedom of religion or belief.
A rival to Miss World will crown a pious Muslim woman
By Richard S. Ehrlich — September 16, 2013
(RNS) "We don't just want to shout 'no' to Miss World,” said the pageant's founder Eka Shanti. “We'd rather show our children they have choices. Do you want to be like the women in Miss World? Or like those in Muslimah World?"
Pork-free vaccine wins cheers from Hajj pilgrims
By Omar Sacirbey — October 18, 2012
(RNS) The nearly 3 million Muslims who will make next week’s annual hajj pilgrimage to the sacred Saudi Arabian city of Mecca are required to be vaccinated against meningitis. Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis claims to have developed, in 2010, the first anti-meningitis vaccine without pork, which Muslims are forbidden to consume under Islamic law. Many […]
Atheists rally for persecuted unbeliever in Indonesia
By Kimberly Winston — July 19, 2012
(RNS) The atheist community has embraced the cause of an Indonesian man, Alexander Aan, who was beaten and jailed after denying God’s existence on Facebook and posting cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. By Kimberly Winston.
Minister sees no choice but to fight for refugees
By Tracy Gordon — April 5, 2012
HIGHLAND PARK, N.J. (RNS) He is young and looks even younger than his 36 years. Yet in the midst of a confrontation with the federal government that could have grave consequences for his future, the Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale acts with the poise of a much older man. By Bob Braun.
Refugee defies deportation, seeks sanctuary at church
By Tracy Gordon — March 5, 2012
HIGHLAND PARK, N.J. (RNS) Facing a deportation order, Saul Timisela has instead sought sanctuary at the Reformed Church of Highland Park, where the pastor is trying to save 80 Indonesian refugees who fled their country to escape religious persecution more than a decade ago. By Bob Considine.
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