Religion

Saudi Arabia Imposes Controversial Restrictions on Ramadan

Saudi Arabia has released a new controversial set of rules and restrictions for Ramadan in the Kingdom this year, sparking backlash across the Muslim world.

The country’s Minister of Islamic Affairs, Abdul Latif Al-Sheikh, published and shared a document on March 3rd containing regulations for the Islamic holy month of Ramadan that everyone in the Kingdom must follow.

Woman Sparks Controversy by Lighting Cigarette with Burning Hindu Holy Text

A video showing an Indian woman burning a copy of Manusmriti, an ancient Sanskrit text often described as a “code of conduct” for Hindus, went viral on social media last Sunday. It comes at a time when India is experiencing a rise in Hindu nationalist sentiment.

Jerusalem's Chief Rabbi Blames LGBT Rights for Earthquake Aftershocks

Jerusalem’s Sephardic chief rabbi, Shlomo Amar, has been criticized for saying that the recent earthquake aftershocks in Israel were caused by the country’s decision to give the LGBTQIA+ community rights and freedoms.

Why a Cube-Shaped City in Saudi Arabia is Upsetting Muslims

A cube-shaped megastructure for Riyadh in Saudi Arabia sparks controversy in social media for its similarity to the 'Kaaba.'

On February 16th, Saudi Arabia lifted the curtain on the latest architectural design of a cubic-shaped megastructure, which received criticism for strikingly resembling Islam's most sacred site, the Kaaba.

Taliban Bans Contraception, Citing "Western Conspiracy to Control Muslims"

The Taliban has stopped the distribution of contraceptives in two of Afghanistan’s major cities, claiming that their use by women is part of a conspiracy by Western countries to control the Muslim population.

Bahrain Puts Muslims on Trial for "Questioning Islam"

Three religious reformers were put on trial in Bahrain for allegedly questioning the foundations of Islam, further deepening divisions between the country’s Shia majority and its ruling Sunni royal family.

The three accused are members of Tajdeed, a local Shia cultural and religious organization that advocates for open discussion of religion. Its members have questioned Islamic jurisprudence and the opinions of Islamic legal scholars, a taboo in much of the Muslim world, where political and religious authorities often endorse and enforce doctrine.

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