- Horrific Anti-Muslim Attack: 6-year-old Killed by Neighbor Angered by Hamas
Location: United States
In a harrowing event that has shocked communities across the U.S., 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy Wadea Al-Fayoume was stabbed 26 times and killed in his home in Plainfield, Illinois. His mother, Hanaan Shahin, was also stabbed multiple times but is expected to survive. The suspect, 71-year-old Joseph Czuba, their landlord, was charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated battery, and two counts of hate crime. Authorities stated that the victims were "targeted by the suspect due to them being Muslim and the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict involving Hamas and the Israelis." U.S. President Joe Biden weighed in, declaring, "This horrific act of hate has no place in America." The incident has not only led to a federal hate crime investigation but also sparked widespread public outcry. It serves as a chilling testament to the rising tide of hate crimes, further inflamed by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East.
- Terrorism Spikes Globally After Start of Israeli-Gaza War
https://apnews.com/article/germany-berlin-synagogue-antisemitism-fdd10f32f7d5efc6da973f00c9a8b030
https://www.france24.com/en/video/20231016-france-pays-tribute-to-teacher-dominique-bernard
Location: Global
In the wake of the recent Israel-Hamas conflict, a series of violent incidents have erupted globally, raising concerns about the spillover of tensions. In Tunisia, a historic synagogue was destroyed amid rioting, depriving the city of Al Hammah of a key part of its Jewish heritage. In France, a teacher was fatally stabbed in what President Emmanuel Macron described as an act of "Islamist terrorism," putting the government under intense scrutiny. Additionally, France has seen a surge in antisemitic acts, with police recording more than 320 physical acts and making over 180 arrests in the first 10 days of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Incidents range from threats outside synagogues to graffiti advocating violence against Jews. Germany witnessed a firebomb attack on a Berlin synagogue, leading Chancellor Olaf Scholz to vow increased protection for Jewish institutions. Meanwhile, Brussels was put on the highest terror alert after a fatal shooting disrupted a Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden. The attacker claimed allegiance to Islamic State and said the act was "revenge in the name of Muslims." These incidents have heightened fears and led to increased security measures, as governments grapple with the international ramifications of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
- Arabs Speak Out Against Hamas
https://www.memri.org/reports/social-media-arab-intellectuals-condemn-ha...
Location: Global
Arab intellectuals and Saudi journalists are vocally condemning Hamas's large-scale attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, challenging conventional narratives within the Arab world. These voices argue that the attack serves the Islamic Republic of Iran's regional ambitions and undermines the Palestinian cause, rather than advancing it. Critics warn that the attack not only hampers peace efforts but also exacerbates the suffering of the Palestinian people. They draw parallels between the attack and past terror incidents like 9/11 and Hezbollah's actions in 2006, questioning the world's tolerance for such organizations. The Egyptian-born U.S.-based reformist author and researcher Hussein Aboubakr Mansour states, "I'm not asking you to love Israel. If you are critical of Israel and believe there should be a Palestine, please continue to do so. What I'm asking for is courage, to not pretend that the murder, the abuse of women, and the kidnappings we all witnessed are not an accurate representation of a morally catastrophic system that we all know is unfortunately all too common and in need of honest conversations and serious attention. Stop deceiving yourself, and let's engage in a dialogue about how to bring about change." Far from being a rallying cry for Arab unity against Israel, the attack is seen as a catastrophic miscalculation that could result in the destruction of Gaza and loss of civilian life. These dissenting voices are urging a reevaluation of strategies, advocating for diplomacy and peaceful resistance as more effective paths forward.
- You Won't Believe How Many People are Behind Bars for Blasphemy in Pakistan!
Location: Pakistan
The Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights in Pakistan was recently informed that 179 individuals are currently detained on charges of blasphemy across the country, with 17 having already been sentenced. The data was provided by the National Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (NHRC) in response to an inquiry led by Senator Walid Iqbal, who expressed concerns about the "exploitation of blasphemy laws for settling personal scores." The committee is also considering the formation of a national coordination committee within the Ministry of Human Rights to establish standard operating procedures aimed at alleviating the suffering of minorities. The report comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which have been criticized for their misuse and the disproportionate impact they have on minority communities.
- India's Top Court Rejects Same-Sex Marriage
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/17/indias-top-court-rules-against-allowing-same-sex-marriage
Location: India
In a significant yet divisive ruling, India's Supreme Court chose not to legalize same-sex marriage, leaving the issue to parliament's discretion. Chief Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud noted, "The court, in the exercise of the power of judicial review, must steer clear of matters, particularly those impinging on policy, which fall in the legislative domain." While the court's decision allows LGBTQ individuals to have relationships without legal penalties, it stops short of granting them legal recognition in areas such as inheritance, succession, and hospital visitation rights. Amidst a backdrop of social conservatism, the ruling has ignited debates and left many questioning the future of LGBTQ rights in India. However, a silver lining exists as the court supported a government initiative to consider extending certain rights to same-sex couples.
- The Rise of the Non-Religious in the Pope’s Homeland
https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/the-nones/the-nones-south-america.html
Location: Argentina
In Argentina and its neighbor Uruguay, there is a significant rise in religious disaffiliation, with a particular increase among those identifying as atheists or secular activists. In Argentina, the percentage of people who don't identify with any religion has doubled within the last 15 years. Similarly, Uruguay stands out in Latin America with more than half of its 3.3 million people identifying as religiously unaffiliated. Lin Pao Rafetta, part of the Argentine Coalition for a Secular State, has been at the forefront of an apostasy movement in Argentina, formally quitting the Catholic Church. This trend is not just a rejection of religious doctrine but also a response to public debates on sexual and reproductive rights. As traditional religious institutions lose influence due to scandals and social issues, secular activists in both countries are gaining ground, advocating for a society where spirituality is a matter of personal choice rather than institutional dictate.
- Are Italians Losing Their Religion?
https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/the-nones/the-nones-italy.html
Location: Italy
In Italy, a country traditionally seen as the cradle of Catholicism, a disconnect is growing between religious identity and practice. According to the latest Pew Research Center survey, 78% of Italians profess to be Catholic, but the Italian statistics agency, ISTAT, paints a different picture: only 19% attend services at least weekly, while 31% never attend at all. Adding another layer, 15% of Italians say they are religiously unaffiliated, according to Pew Research Center. Reverend Giovanni Mandozzi describes the situation as scary, and stated the explanations people give for their lack of attendance as; "‘I don’t have time, I don’t feel like it’ - there isn’t a real reason." This decline in religious engagement, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is part of a broader European trend, especially among the younger generation. Some Italians are even taking the drastic step of requesting "sbattezzati," or de-baptism, effectively asking to be removed from parish baptism records. While cultural aspects of Catholicism like weddings and funerals still hold sway, the overall decline in religious practice poses a significant challenge for the future of organized religion in Europe.
- Why Poland is Abandoning the Catholic Church
Location: Poland
The Catholic Church in Poland is grappling with a significant decline in its following, as recent census data reveals a drop from 88% to 71.3% in Catholic affiliation between 2011 and 2021. The percentage of "Nones" nearly tripled from 2.4% to 6.9% in the same period, and the number of people refusing to answer questions about religion surged from 7.1% to 20.5%. This decline is particularly evident among younger Poles, with only 16% of those under 40 considering religion very important, compared to 40% of older individuals. The number of Poles attending Sunday Mass has also plummeted from 47% at the turn of the millennium to 28% today. This waning influence is exacerbated by the Church's alignment with Poland's conservative Law and Justice party, particularly on divisive issues like a near-total abortion ban and anti-LGBTQ+ stances. As the Church faces a crisis of credibility and relevance, it confronts a younger generation increasingly disenchanted with its role in both spiritual and public spheres.
- The Surprising Rise of Psychedelic Churches in America
Location: United States
In a fascinating twist on modern spirituality, psychedelic churches like The Divine Assembly in Salt Lake City and Psanctuary Church in Louisville are filling the spiritual void for the religiously unaffiliated, often referred to as "nones." These churches offer an alternative form of spiritual expression that focuses less on a higher power and more on individual well-being and "pure consciousness." The Divine Assembly, founded by a former member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Steve Urquhart, aims to connect "people to self, others and the Divine" without dogma or intermediaries. It even offers an educational initiative called "shroomiversity" to teach people how to grow psilocybin mushrooms. Psanctuary Church, on the other hand, defines itself as a "Constitutional Church" and views the use of sacred mushrooms as both a spiritual right and an expression of political freedom. These churches are not atheistic but maintain an inclusive notion of belief, emphasizing that "the divine is not elsewhere but within everyone." Through a range of activities from ice baths to meditation, members engage in collective meaning-making rituals that enrich their lives beyond the walls of the church.