Religion
Russia wants cathedral in Nice
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Correspondent John Laurenson reports on a legal battle between over the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in the French city of Nice. It was built by the last Russian Tsar almost a century ago, and the Russian government wants it back now.
Indonesian polygamy club
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Indonesia allows men to marry more than one woman – but only under strict conditions. So polygamy isn’t that common there. The BBC’S Karishma Vaswani reports on a new controversial “club” that is trying to promote the virtues of polygamy.
Women of the Wall
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A group called ‘Women of the Wall’ holds monthly prayer meetings at the Western Wall. Recently, a woman was arrested for wearing a prayer shawl and reading the Torah at the Wall. The group is pushing for more women’s religious rights within Orthodox Judaism. And it’s getting some in Israel really angry, as Linda Gradstein reports. Download MP3
Minaret ban in Switzerland
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A vote in Switzerland to ban construction of minarets on mosques is drawing criticism from other parts of Europe. The World’s Jane Little reports.
India’s Muslim community
One year ago, 10 militants arrived from Pakistan in Mumbai, India. They fanned out across the city to attack hotels and other targets. It took almost three days for the Indian authorities to end the violence. The Muslim community was terrified of a backlash, fortunately it never came. Miranda Kennedy reports on the lives of India’s Muslims in a three part series.
Religious leaders promise climate action
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Global religious leaders gathered in England to urge–and offer–commitments to combat climate change. The World’s Jane Little reports.
Mixed reactions to Pope’s plan for Anglican conversions
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The World’s Jane Little reports on mixed reactions today to the Vatican’s sudden announcement yesterday that it was making it easier for Anglicans to convert to the Roman Catholic faith.
Burka debate stirs Canada’s Muslims
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There’s a religious debate taking place in Canada. Some Muslims there say they want the country to set some limits on freedom of religion.The Muslim Canadian Congress is lobbying to ban burkas or any other kind of Islamic face covering. Anita Elash reports from Toronto.
Egypt to ban full women’s veils
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Egypt’s highest Muslim authority has said he will issue a religious edict against the growing trend for full women’s veils, known as the niqab. The practice is widely associated with more radical trends of Islam. Reporter Aya Batrawy has the story. Download MP3I’mHalal: The Muslim search engine
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In Islam, something that is “haram” is considered forbidden. The opposite of haram is “halal,” which means permissible. Now, a new Internet search engine is trying to help practicing Muslims sort out the various levels of what is forbidden, offering up “clean” search results. It’s called I’mHalal, and it claims to be the world’s first custom-designed “Islamic search engine.” Cyrus Farivar has the story. Download MP3 Yom Kippur: Kids and bikes in Tel Aviv
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Today is Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year on the Jewish calendar. In Israel, the “day of atonement” means that much of the country simply stops. Stores are closed, there’s no school, no newspapers and no Israeli television. And much less traffic. In and around Tel Aviv, the holiday has turned into a festival of bicycles for children. The World’s Matthew Bell will have our story.Download MP3Catholic relics tour
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The UK is getting its first Catholic relics tour since the reformation. The relics will then go on a month-long tour of 28 venues, starting on Wednesday at Portsmouth Cathedral. The Catholic Church said huge crowds had flocked to see the casket, which contains portions of bones of St Therese, in the 42 countries it had visited. Laura Lynch reports from Portsmouth, UK. Download MP3
Deepening focus on Islamic values in Gaza
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Since the Hamas takeover of Gaza in June 2007, Israel has severely limited the entry of goods into Gaza. As the blockade of Gaza continues, Palestinians in Gaza are deepening their religious identity. Some female students have been told to change their dress, although Hamas officials say the orders aren’t coming from them. Palestinians in Gaza say they see little hope for the future and many are turning to religion as an answer. Linda Gradstein reports from Gaza City. Download MP3
Gaza becomes increasingly religious
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People in Gaza have been living under an Israeli-led blockade since 2007 when Hamas seized control of the strip. Observers say that’s led people in Gaza to become increasingly despairing… and increasingly religious. Reporter Linda Gradstein has the story.
Israel’s military rabbis
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Military rabbis are taking on more of a front line role in the Israeli armed forces, marching into battle alongside the troops. Some IDF soldiers are glad of their presence; others express concerns. Katya Adler reports on the rise of the military rabbis who are changing the face of the once largely secular Israeli army. Download MP3
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