Pakistan
US commission: Russia a major violator of religious freedom
By Lauren Markoe — April 26, 2017
WASHINGTON (RNS) A dissenting report criticizes the commission for failing to investigate Israel.
Pakistan threatens to ‘punish’ Facebook, other firms over blasphemy
By Reuters — March 23, 2017
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Reuters) Pakistan's government wants social media networks to remove material deemed insulting to Islam or the Prophet Muhammad, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last week warned that those posting such content would be 'strictly punished.'
Pakistan bans famed religious TV host for hurling blasphemy allegations
By Reuters — January 26, 2017
(Reuters) An accusation of blasphemy in Pakistan is often tantamount to a death sentence.
Trump must aid persecuted Christians or his presidency will fail, says Open Doors
By Lauren Markoe — January 11, 2017
(RNS) 'Nearly 1 in every 12 Christians in the world today lives in an area or in a culture in which Christianity is illegal, forbidden or punished,' said Open Doors CEO David Curry.
Christmas moonshine kills 23 in Pakistan town
By guest — December 27, 2016
(REUTERS) Deaths from tainted liquor, often home-brewed, occur periodically in Muslim-majority Pakistan, often around religious festivals.
A depressing year of religion news
By Jerome Socolovsky — December 15, 2016
(RNS) Religion gave billions of people meaning in their lives and inspired good deeds this year, but in news coverage it was linked to bloodshed and blamed for fueling bigotry.
Why Pakistan’s accusations against Ahmadi Muslims are the height of hypocrisy
By Tahir Nasser — December 14, 2016
(RNS) Hypocrisy is a quality universally denounced. It is no different in Islam.
Pakistan’s ‘disco mullah’ feared dead after plane crash
By Kimberly Winston — December 7, 2016
(RNS) Junaid Jamshed was a pop music icon in his youth; he died a famous nasheed singer and preacher aboard PK-661.
In Britain, between a rock and a hard place
By Tahir Nasser — July 4, 2016
(RNS) I know the road Britain is going down and I know where it leads. I have seen it in Pakistan.
Pakistani man charged with blasphemy over shoes with Hindu symbol
By RNS staff — June 21, 2016
(Reuters) Pakistani rights groups say Hindus are often at risk of discrimination and hate crimes, including forced conversions and economic discrimination.
Pakistani clerics declare ‘honor killing’ against Islam
By RNS staff — June 13, 2016
LAHORE, Pakistan - Hundreds of Pakistanis, the vast majority women and girls, are murdered every year by relatives after being accused of damaging a family's honor.
Pakistan poll: 70% say ‘It’s NEVER permissible for a man to beat his wife’
By Tobin Grant — May 27, 2016
A prominent group of clerics does not represent the views of Pakistanis.
Pakistani Christians can strengthen moderate Islam by their example (COMMENTARY)
By Eric Sarwar — March 30, 2016
(RNS) Christians could play a role as peacemakers and develop a process of reconciliation by bringing hostile groups together for discussion and dialogue.
Obama at last prayer breakfast: ‘We heal hatred with love’
By Adelle M. Banks — March 30, 2016
WASHINGTON (RNS) As he usually does, he used the occasion to speak openly about his faith within the context of world events.
Why I despair over Pakistan’s intractable blasphemy laws (COMMENTARY)
By Kimberly Winston — March 28, 2016
(RNS) Before leaving for Pakistan, I thought countries that enforce blasphemy laws would eventually catch up to the rest of the world. Now I'm not so sure.
