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Religion

Religion
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Religion. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The Teng Hoi at anchor in the Goto Islands. Photo: Cameron Dueck
Asia travel

The quiet Japanese islands where Christians once hid their religion

Those searching for solitude in these tranquil Japanese isles follow in the footsteps of persecuted Christians forced to practise their faith in secret.

Gun violence in the US

Assailant dead after ramming vehicle into Michigan synagogue

Malaysia

Malaysian man jailed for 10 months, fined US$12,700 over Facebook post insulting Islam

Malaysia

1 holy month, 1 year’s income: Malaysia’s Ramadan bazaar boom

Rents have doubled, ingredient costs keep climbing, yet for the stallholders at Malaysia’s bazaars, no other month comes close.

Asyraf Ahmad (left) sells drinks at his Ramadan stall after switching his business model from food. Photo: Ushar Daniele
Germany

Berlin jails man for 13 years over stabbing at Holocaust memorial

The man, 20, said he had been motivated by his radicalisation and belief he was acting with a religious mission.

Religion in China

What are Buddhist relics? The bones and teeth with great power for followers

Buddhist relics are seen as living, active sources of blessings imbued with supernatural qualities, but authenticity can be an issue.

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Japan

Muslims in Japan were falsely blamed for illegal buildings. Then came the fires

It started with social media posts falsely blaming Muslims for building violations. Then came the fires.

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The aftermath of a fire on Saturday at Ebetsu Masjid, a mosque in the city of Ebetsu, central Hokkaido, Japan. Photo: Facebook/Kamran Khan
Japan

Japanese court upholds order to dissolve Unification Church over donations

The order will take immediate effect, with the group losing its religious corporation tax status and liquidation procedures to begin.

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Japan

How the Unification Church is facing fallout in Japan from Shinzo Abe’s murder

Critics have called the group a ‘money-making business’, with many people having lost huge sums of money from its ‘spiritual sales’.

Crime

French court reduces prison terms for 3 involved in 2020 teacher beheading

Samuel Paty was murdered by radical Islamist teenager Abdoullakh Anzorov after showing a class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Members of the public stand in front of a photograph of Samuel Paty as they attend a memorial in Eragny-sur-Oise, northwestern Paris, France in October 2021, a year after the teacher was beheaded. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s ‘ridiculous’ push to curb LGBTQ apps tests limits of digital control

Officials are examining legislative steps to curb apps like Grindr, though removal from global stores is beyond direct state control.

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Malaysia is considering new laws to curb LGBTQ dating apps like Grindr. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Row over speakers on Indonesian ‘island of 1,000 mosques’ sparks debate on rules

A New Zealander’s disruption of a prayer session over the use of loudspeakers at a mosque has prompted some to call for a law on their use.

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Malaysia

Malaysia blocks Grindr, Blued for promoting ‘deviant’ relationships

The move signals tightening social climate and civil liberties concerns in the country.

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Malaysia

Malaysian police arrest student for desecrating Koran in viral social media post

The post, which reportedly shows a photo of a man stepping on the holy book, has sparked public outrage and concerns over religious harmony.

Students learn to read the Koran as part of Ramadan activities in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
The Netherlands

New Dutch government under centrist Jetten takes power

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October to dethrone the far-right party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders.

Ministers of the new three-party minority government pose with King Willem-Alexander (middle right, Prime Minster Rob Jetten (middle left) and Deputy Prime Minister Dilan Yesilgöz (front row right) on the steps of Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Bikini-clad mermaid sales stunt triggers religious probe in Malaysia

Authorities in conservative Kelantan are investigating the viral cross-dressing video after online critics accused the men of mocking Islam.

Chinese culture

Ancient Chinese astrology gets a Gen Z rebrand in Southeast Asia

Forget rituals and superstitions, today’s young professionals are using ‘bazi’ 10-year luck forecasts to plan their next career pivot.

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Nepal

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

Archaeologists at work in Tilaurakot, Lumbini, Nepal. Photo: Department of Archaeology, Nepal
Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo laments world ‘in flames’ at Ash Wednesday service

The pontiff said the ashes could represent cities destroyed by war, as well as the damage to the environment and international law.

Belgium

Belgium summons US ambassador over claims of antisemitism in rare diplomatic row

Ambassador Bill White had called an investigation into illegal circumcisions an ‘unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community’.

Australia

Australia presses Israel’s Herzog for charges over Gaza strike killing aid worker

PM Albanese uses Israeli president’s visit to demand charges for 2024 strike on aid convoy that killed Australian Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues.

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog (left) meets with Australia·s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra. Photo: dpa
United States

Walk for peace: Buddhist monks arrive in Washington after 3,700km journey

Their message of compassion, which comes amid US tensions over Trump’s immigration crackdown, has won millions of supporters.

Monk Bhikkhu Pannakara waves as marchers in the Walk For Peace pass through Washington on Tuesday. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s ‘illegal’ temple row: PM slams vigilantism after rally ban

Police detained 19 people, including a controversial preacher, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday warned against playing ‘hero’.

Pakistan

32 killed in Pakistan mosque suicide blast: ‘extremely powerful explosion’

The attack was the deadliest in Islamabad since September 2008, when 60 were killed in a suicide truck bomb blast at the Marriott hotel.

Malaysia

Malaysian minister’s use of ‘Alhamdulillah’ sparks PAS’ objections

Nga Kor Ming’s use of the Arabic phrase in parliament prompted a warning by a PAS MP that it could ‘confuse Muslims’.

Malaysian Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming delivering a speech as the president of the UN Habitat Assembly on World Cities Day last year. Photo: YouTube/UN Habitat Worldwide
Nigeria

Dozens of kidnapped Nigerian Christians released from captivity

Freedom for final 89 captives marks the end of a weeks-long ordeal for worshippers snatched from three churches in January.

Freed church worshipers at the state government house in Kaduna, Nigeria on Thursday. Photo: AP
Books and literature

Video | How an iconic Indian comic series stays ‘immortal’

The Indian comic series Amar Chitra Katha was created to teach children about the Hindu universe of gods, legends and history.

Africa

Nigerian army kills top Boko Haram commander, 10 militants in night raid

Abu Khalid, a commander of Boko Haram in the Sambisa Forest in Borno state, was a key figure within ‘the terrorist hierarchy’ according to the army.

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