French Court Rejects Government Order to Forcibly Close Mosque

On April 26, France's highest administrative court rejected the Interior Ministry's appeal to continue closing down a mosque. The Conseil d'Etat, on Tuesday, dismissed an appeal that will challenge the previous suspension of a closure order.

The Interior Ministry has been shutting down mosques all over France, citing radicalization concerns.

US Panel Recommends Sanctioning India Over Religious Freedom Violations

For the third year, the United States panel on international religious affairs recommended labeling India as one of the "countries of particular concern." The report accuses India and other countries of engaging or tolerating "systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations" of religious rights.

Egypt Bans New Marvel Movie due to Openly Gay Character

Marvel's “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” has been banned in Egypt over the gay characters featured in the film.

In a Tweet on April 23, IMAX Egypt, a chain of movie theaters famous for showing films in 3D, announced that they wouldn't be offering Marvel's newest installation of Dr. Strange. "Doctor Strange and Wanda will not be here during their journey between universes," the Tweet said.

Ex-Muslim's Home Set on Fire by Hindu Thugs for Marrying Hindu Girl

On Friday, April 15, a mob set the house of an ex-Muslim gym instructor on fire in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. According to local news outlets, the mob was led by a local right-wing Hindu group.

Sajid, whose last name was not provided by local news outlets, was accused of kidnapping a Hindu girl, who turned out to be a 22-year-old woman.

Atheist Adoptive Couple in Alabama Face Discrimination for Non-Belief

A private adoption agency refused a couple of adoption services in Alabama for their lack of religion. A 30-year-old librarian, Alaina Browning, and her husband were devastated to hear the news.

Family Adoption Services, a private adoption agency run by Richard and Susan Wyatt, sent the message to Browning.

“It hurt,” Browning said, crying while reading the message on her phone.

Indian High Court Rejects Recognition of Gay Marriage; cites 'Hindu Culture

On April 14, the high court of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, India, rejected the plea of a same-sex couple to have their marriage recognized. The court ruled that the couple's marriage violates the Hindu Marriage Act of 1995.

The plea was submitted to Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav on April 7.

Indian Man Lynched on Suspicion of Cow Slaughter

A farm caretaker died after a group of men attacked him and five other individuals for allegedly slaughtering a cow. The attack happened in a farmhouse in Dwarka, a residential neighborhood in western New Delhi.

Indian Boycott of Muslims: Sculptors, Mango Sellers, & Cab Drivers Targeted

Muslim livelihood and businesses in India are in distress as they struggle to hold off the effects of the increasing anti-Muslim sentiments caused by contentious political rhetoric.

In April, a right-wing Hindu group urged the public to boycott Muslim mango traders. The group alleged that Muslims are monopolizing the mango trade in Karnataka.

Atheist Meet-Up Postponed Due to Objections from Hindu-Nationalists

An atheist conference scheduled for April 10 was postponed to a later date. Nitin Hande, one of the event organizers, said the police told them to reschedule their conference because certain Hindutva groups expressed opposition to their event.