NEWS OF THE WEEK
A Hindu and a Muslim known for promoting for children’s rights were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this week. Seventeen-year-old Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan, author and advocate for the education of girls, is a Muslim. She becomes the youngest … More
In the U.S., jubilant same-sex couples rushed to marry in Virginia after the Supreme Court cleared the way for gay marriage there and in four other states, including Utah. The Court declined to review lower court decisions overturning state bans … More
At the Vatican, Catholic bishops opened their synod, a two-week meeting to discuss key issues affecting families. Among the topics were divorce, homosexuality, contraception, and cohabitation. Although the bishops said church doctrine cannot change, some called for greater compassion for … More
Jews celebrate Sukkot through next Wednesday (October 15). It’s a time for eating and worshipping in temporary shelters, reminding Jews of their ancestors’ 40 years of wandering in the desert after their escape from slavery in Egypt. Watch our story … More
More than 2 million Muslim pilgrims descended on Mecca this week for the annual hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam. Diseases carried by travelers are always a concern, and this year Saudi officials took precautions against Ebola. In … More
The United Nations is appealing for more medical aid as the Ebola death toll continues to spiral. UN officials said that local health systems are overwhelmed, and Ebola patients aren’t receiving treatment quickly enough. They said if the disease isn’t … More
International humanitarian groups are continuing to raise concerns about the tens of thousands of Syrian refugees fleeing to Turkey because of ISIS attacks. The UN estimates that more than 160,000 refugees have flooded into Turkey in the last two weeks, … More
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a devout Hindu, visited the US this week and met with political and religious leaders. During a speech at the UN, Modi praised the benefits of yoga and urged recognition of a World Yoga Day, … More
Meriam Ibrahim, the woman sentenced to death in Sudan for refusing to renounce her Christian faith, made her first major public appearance since she was released and moved to the US in August. Ibrahim was given a hero’s welcome by … More
The Supreme Court opens its new term next week with several religion-related cases on its schedule. One involves a town’s rules for regulating church signs. Another asks whether a company could refuse to hire a Muslim woman because she wore … More
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