Taking A Selfie Is A Sin, Declares Muslim Cleric; Slams Islamic Women Who Take Selfies
An Indonesian Muslim cleric has declared that taking selfies is a sin as he criticized Muslim women for shamelessly posting selfies.
Australia's Tony Abbott Presses For Conscience Vote On Race Law Amendment Amid Free Speech Debate
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott is being pressed for a conscience vote on a proposal to amend a race reform law amid the controversy over free speech spawned by the cartoons made by the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo on Prophet Mohamed, The Australian reported on Wednesday.
Mother of Japanese Hostage Held By Islamic State Pleads For Son's Release
The Japanese mother of one of the hostages held by the Islamic State has issued a plea to the Japanese Prime Minister to help free her son.
Michelle Obama Sparks Backlash By Forgoing Headscarf In Saudi Arabia
First Lady Michelle Obama is sparking backlash after she failed to wear a headscarf during a recent visit to the conservative Middle Eastern country of Saudi Arabia.
Obama, Top Officials Pay Respects to Deceased Saudi King
During his visit to Saudi Arabia this week, President Barack Obama reiterated the U.S.\'s alliance with the oil-rich Middle Eastern country, paying his respects to diseased King Abdullah.
Islamic Scholar In South Africa Asks Muslims to Forgive Cartoonists From Charlie Hebdo
An Islamic academic from the South African city of Durban has asked thousands of Muslims to forgive cartoonists of French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.
Ebola Outbreak Latest News Today 2015: W.H.O. Vows Reforms To Speed Up Response To Future Virus Outbreaks
The World Health Organization has admitted its slow pace in responding to the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa and laid out a set of reforms to address the problem.
Pope Francis Death Threat News: Philippines Dismisses Alleged Plot To Kill Pontiff During Visit
The Philippines' top defense official dismissed on Monday an alleged plot by an Islamist terrorist group to assassinate Pope Francis during his recent visit to the Philippines, saying the reports were based on "unvalidated" information.
200 Killed As Boko Haram Insurgents Clash With Nigerian Troops
About 200 combatants were killed after Nigerian military forces reportedly clashed with suspected insurgents from the Muslim extremist group Boko Haram in Maiduguri on Sunday.
Muslim Rebels Kill At Least 49 Police Commandos In The Philippines
Peace in conflict-affected areas in Southern Philippines remained hanging in the balance as a group of Muslim rebels clashed with members of an elite police force on Sunday, killing at least 49 police commandos and eight rebels.
Boko Haram Attack Kills 15 Civilians Ahead of Presidential Campaign Rally In Nigeria
At least 15 civilians were killed by fighters of the Muslim extremist group Boko Haram near the capital of Nigeria's embattled Borno state on the eve of Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan's re-election campaign rally.
Latest News
CCP Detains Pastors at Beijing Church as House Church Crackdown Expands
Chinese authorities have detained multiple pastors and church workers from Beijing Jiaquan Church, an independent house church that has operated in the capital for more than two decades. ChinaAid founder and President Bob Fu said his organization is “urgently concerned for the safety, health and legal rights of every Jiaquan pastor and church co-worker who has been taken away.”
Muslim Residents Oppose Approved Church Project in Indonesia Over Permit Discrepancy
A planned church in East Java Province in Indonesia is facing renewed opposition from Muslim residents who argue that an address discrepancy in permit documents should halt construction. Residents in the Dukuh Kukun area of Babat Jerawat Urban Village, Pakal District, Surabaya, say the address listed on the official permit does not match the church site in the CitraLand housing complex.
Federal Judge Allows Bid for First Religious Charter School in U.S. to Proceed in Oklahoma
National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School may continue pursuing plans to become the nation’s first religious charter school while its legal challenge to an Oklahoma law moves forward, a federal judge ruled. According to Baptist Press, the National Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School Foundation is challenging provisions of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act that bar religious organizations from operating publicly funded charter schools because of their religious character.
Joe Biden Receives Planned Parenthood Award, Urges Supporters “Not to Give Up”
Former President Joe Biden received an award from Planned Parenthood of Delaware on Thursday and used his remarks to defend his abortion-rights record while encouraging supporters to continue their efforts. Biden spoke at Planned Parenthood of Delaware’s 22nd Annual Chocolate & Champagne Gala in Claymont, where former first lady Jill Biden presented him with the Sonia Schorr Sloan Service Award.
Senators Press Trump to Confront Xi Over Detained Pastors, Religious Minorities
A bipartisan group of 10 U.S. senators called on President Donald Trump to raise China’s persecution of Christian pastors and other religious minorities during his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington this week. Led by Sens. Ted Budd, R-N.C., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., the lawmakers thanked Trump for diplomatic pressure they said helped secure the July 3 release of Beijing Zion Church founder Ezra Jin after 266 days in detention.