Week of May 17, 2010 News Update

THE INSTITUTE News Update

 May 17-21, 2010

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Africa

Powerful churches target Kenya's Constitution over abortion

Johannesburg, South Africa - A letter by three US congressmen aims to stop Kenya from ratifying a newly passed Constitution because they feel it encourages Kenyan women to have abortions.

In their May 6 letter to the US State Department's acting Inspector General, a copy of which has been obtained by the Monitor, Rep. Chris Smith (R) of New Jersey, Rep. Darrell Issa (R) of California, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R) of Florida requested an audit of US government funds on the basis of a US law that states that "none of the funds made available under this Act may be used to lobby for or against abortion."

Americas

Cuba's Castro meets Catholic Church leaders

Cuban President Raul Castro has held a rare meeting with leading members of the Catholic Church.

Mr Castro met Cardinal Jaime Ortega, head of the country's Church, along with Archbishop Dionisio Garcia of Santiago.

Wednesday's talks touched on the sensitive issue of imprisoned political dissidents, Church sources said, without providing details.

East Asia and Oceania

Pope: respect for religious freedom is "fruitful" in Mongolia

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The pope "appreciates" the attitude of Mongolia to freedom of religion, an instrument for cooperation between peoples and cultures and ensures that the small Catholic community has the will to cooperate for the country's growth, while still engaged in fields such as education. The presentation of credentials of the new Mongolian ambassador, Luvsantseren Orgil, was a chance for Benedict XVI to return to the Vatican's positive view of the conduct of the government of Ulan Bator.

Vietnam police charge six villagers over Catholic funeral

Europe

After minarets, will Switzerland ban burqas too?

Full Muslim face veils could become the next divisive religious issue to take centre stage in Switzerland, where voters last November approved a measure banning the construction of new minarets. The Swiss federal government said in February it saw no need for a "burqa ban." Politicians at the national level say there's no "burqa problem" in Switzerland. But few thought there was a "minaret problem" either, until the question was put to a national referendum and the minaret ban campaigners won.

French cabinet backs ban on full face coverings

Libel court 'is not the right place for faith disputes'

Middle East

Ultra-Orthodox Jews lose grave battle in Israel

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A heavily guarded operation to dig up ancient graves to make way for a new hospital emergency room exposed on Sunday traditional tensions between Israel's Jewish secular majority and ultra-Orthodox minority.

Police said they arrested 15 religious protesters outside Barzilai hospital in the coastal town of Ashkelon, where plans to build a treatment facility that could withstand rocket attack from the Gaza Strip turned into a political battle in Israel.

Saudi Arabia religious leaders call terrorism financing un-Islamic

Christian Girls Kidnapped in Yemen Are Rescue

Russia and Central Asia

Tajik Court Sentences 36 For Membership In Banned Islamic Group

QURGHON-TEPPA, Tajikistan -- A Tajik court has sentenced 36 people to prison for being followers of the banned Islamic group Jamaat ut-Tabligh, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.

Judge Ikromjon Abdulhafizov, in the southern Khatlon Province, said the court had proven the guilt of the 36 accused. He said 17 of them who were kept in detention since their arrest last fall received sentences of between five and 6 and 1/2 years. Nineteen others who were released on bail after their arrest will be jailed for three years.

Jailed 'Religious Extremists' Released In Kyrgyzstan

UZBEKISTAN: Large raid and almost immediate trial starts against registered church

South Asia

Hindu Nationalists in India Plan 'Religious Cleansing' in Madhya Pradesh District

NEW DELHI, May 20 (CDN) -  Hindu nationalist organizations in Madhya Pradesh state have declared their intentions to rid Mandla district of all Christian influence by starting preparations for a large "reconversion" event next year.

A similar event in Dangs district, Gujarat state in 2006 was filled with Christian hate speech. As a result of anti-Christian sentiment stirred at the April 22 ground-breaking ceremony for the Madhya Pradesh "reconversion" rally to be held next February, Hindu nationalists attacked a house church in the district's Bamhni Banjar village on May 2, Christian leaders said.

Muslim Teachers in Pakistan Allegedly Abuse Christian Students

Endless violence against Christian women of Kandhamal

Separate marriage Act for Sikhs on the anvil

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