NEWS OF THE WEEK
Dozens are feared dead after a migrant boat capsized off the coast of Libya on Thursday (May 26). It was the second such incident in two days. On Wednesday (May 25), about 562 people were rescued and five found dead. … More
A new UN report notes that despite the tentative cease fire, food aid reached only about half of those besieged in Syria in April. Officials said that while a larger number is receiving aid than in the past, much more … More
Attempting to address what some say is the worst humanitarian situation since War World II, leaders gathered in Istanbul this past week for the first World Humanitarian Summit. Representatives of 65 governments and the Vatican attended the two-day (May 23-24) … More
A coalition of 30 health and humanitarian organizations, including the Christian relief group World Vision, released a new report noting that deliberate or indiscriminate attacks have decimated health facilities in various countries. The attacks have also killed medical workers and … More
This week (May 22), in an unprecedented visit, Pope Francis welcomed to the Vatican Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of the preeminent Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo. The meeting marked the resumption of dialogue between the two institutions. The relationship had … More
Next Sunday (June 5), Muslims around the world will begin their Ramadan fast with the sighting of the new moon. During the month-long observance, Muslims who are able to do so are called upon to fast every day from dawn … More
Amid rumors of a possible split, the United Methodist Church, the second largest Protestant denomination in the US, decided yet again to delay any decisions on whether to accept same-sex marriage or ordain LGBT clergy. The church voted instead to … More
The Supreme Court this week declined to rule in a highly watched case about the extent to which faith-based nonprofits can be exempt from the government’s mandate that employers provide contraception coverage for employees. Citing legal briefs with possible compromises, … More
Leaders of the Anti-Defamation League are expressing concern about what they describe as a “troubling” degree of stereotyping and prejudice in campaign rhetoric this election season. The ADL was founded in 1913 to fight anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry. … More
Bahais celebrate the Declaration of the Bab (May 23). Bahais believe the Bab, which means “the gate,” was the messenger of God who first sounded the call for the unity of all cultures, nations, and religions.
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