Saudi Arabia
Why repealing blasphemy laws might help promote religious freedom (ANALYSIS)
By Brandon G. Withrow — September 29, 2015
(RNS) Among those countries frequently cited by human rights groups with the most aggressive laws banning free expression are China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi suggests pilgrims to blame for hajj deaths; Iran blames ‘incompetent’ Saudi
By Reuters — September 25, 2015
(Reuters) Saudi Arabia's regional rival Iran expressed outrage at the deaths of 131 of its nationals at the world's largest annual gathering of people while politicians in Tehran suggested Riyadh was incapable of managing the event.
Hundreds perish in deadliest hajj stampede in years
By Reuters — September 24, 2015
At least 717 pilgrims were killed Thursday on the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha in a crush at Mina outside the holy city of Mecca.
France urges Saudi Arabia to cancel crucifixion of young Shiite
By Reuters — September 24, 2015
Ali al-Nimr was given the death penalty after taking part in demonstrations three years ago for democracy and equal rights in Saudi Arabia.
East-West Travelblog: Terrorism, blasphemy — and cookies
By Kimberly Winston — August 22, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C. (RNS) Security is tough at the State Department. But the cookies are sweet.
Mormon woman volunteers to be whipped to save Saudi blogger
By Jana Riess — February 6, 2015
Mormon Katrina Lantos Swett, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, has offered to be whipped 100 times to help save a Saudi blogger from an inhumane punishment.
Saudi’s new King Salman likely to stay the Muslim kingdom’s course
By Oren Dorell — January 27, 2015
(RNS) Saudi Arabia's King Salman has sought to bring slow change to one of the most conservative nations on earth.
Meet the tireless women working to free Raif Badawi and Waleed Abu al-Khair
By Chris Stedman — January 20, 2015
Samar Badawi, Ensaf Haidar, and Elham Manea talk with RNS about their efforts to free Raif Badawi and Waleed Abu al-Khair—and explain what others can do to help.
The 10 most read ‘Faitheist’ stories of 2014
By Chris Stedman — January 1, 2015
As we begin 2015, here's a look back at the most read 'Faitheist' posts from last year—from whether or not atheists can be fundamentalists to why atheists shouldn't call religion a mental illness.
2014: The top stories in atheism
By Chris Stedman — December 22, 2014
From the popularity of 'Cosmos' on Fox-TV to the Roku launch of 'Atheist TV', from open atheist James Woods's inspiring congressional campaign to Richard Dawkins's less-than-inspiring tweets, atheists made headlines all year.
Détente on Christmas * Beard passes * Christ Bless Mississippi: Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — December 4, 2014
This month's religious freedom news and views from around the world. Read with caution. Prozac optional.
Western atheists: You aren’t illegal in Saudi Arabia
By Chris Stedman — April 7, 2014
Saudi Arabia has classified atheism as a form of terrorism. Sarah Jones explains why it isn't accurate for Western atheists to claim they're "illegal in Saudi Arabia" and why they should instead amplify the voices of Saudi human rights activists.
Obama asked to pressure Saudis to revise offending textbooks
By Lauren Markoe — March 27, 2014
(RNS) Some are urging President Obama to apply pressure on King Abdullah to revise school textbooks that disparage Christians, label Jews "pigs," and teach that execution is an Islamic response to gay sex.
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.
Lost on the hajj? There’s an app for that
By Omar Sacirbey — October 11, 2013
(RNS) People making the Muslim pilgrimage, which falls Oct. 13-18, can get lost along a circuit of rituals that covers several miles. Fortunately, there's an app for that. Several, actually.
