Gay Men Caned in Indonesia Under Shariah Law

Authorities in Indonesia’s Aceh province publicly caned two gay men — a total of 77 times each — with rattan sticks.

In Aceh's Tamansari city park, dozens of citizens witnessed the cruel enforcement of sharia law. Human rights activists chided Indonesia's authorities for the sadistic showcase.

Teen Detained After He Planned Attack On Mosques in Singapore

In December 2020, a 16-year-old boy was constrained under Singapore’s Internal Security Act (ISA) for "detailed plans and preparations to conduct terrorist attacks" on Muslims as they worshipped in two local Mosques, authorities reported on January 27th, 2021.

The suspect was not identified because he is underage. The nameless Singaporean teenager is a Protestant Christian of Indian ethnicity. He is the youngest citizen to be investigated under the ISA for terrorism-related activities, the Internal Security Department (ISD) said in a media release.

Pakistani Court Frees Terrorist Who Killed American Journalist Daniel Pearl

On January 28th, the terrorist convicted (and later acquitted) of the 2002 abduction and beheading of Daniel Pearl, was ordered to be released by Pakistan’s Supreme Court. The court also dismissed an appeal of the killer’s, Ahmad Saeed Omar Sheikh, acquittal filed by Pearl’s family and the Pakistani government.

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Community Fights Police Over Israel’s Lockdowns

Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators clashed with police in two of Israel’s major cities. Enforcing coronavirus restrictions in these religious neighborhoods has brought great challenges for local authorities.

עימותים בין שוטרים לחרדים בירושלים, לאחר שהמשטרה הגיעה לבצע פעולות אכיפה במקום@VeredPelman (צילום: אליסף כהן) pic.twitter.com/oDyMTnI9SP

Rabbi Says COVID Vaccines Will “Make You Gay”

A prominent ultra-Orthodox rabbi, Rabbi Daniel Asor, instructed his followers that the coronavirus vaccine “can make them gay,” according to Israel Hayom. Rabbi Asor contradicts three of the most senior rabbis of the ultra-Orthodox faith: Kanievsky, Edlestein and Cohen, each of who advised those who can get the vaccine should do so.

Indian Mother Sacrifices Daughters, Believed They ‘Will Come Alive Again’

In a horrifying incident, a mother bludgeoned her two daughters in their 20s, allegedly at the advice of a tantric priest, while their father watched the grisly act in silence.

13-Year-Old Nigerian Boy Jailed for Blasphemy Wins Appeal

A 13-year-old Nigerian sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for blasphemy is finally free as he wins his appeal in Kano state.

In August 2020, Omar Farouq was convicted in a Sharia court in Kano State of northwestern Nigeria, after being accused of using foul language about Allah while arguing with a friend.

Though only 13 years old, Farouq was tried as an adult because he has attained puberty and has full responsibility under Islamic law.

US State Dept Declares China’s Crimes Against Uighurs as ‘Genocide’

In a July 2020 interview with National Public Radio (NPR), Adrian Zenz, a German academic, explained how his opinion of the Communist Party of China’s actions in the Xinjiang region of Western China have changed. He once argued that China's actions are a "cultural genocide" as opposed to a literal one. But since recent developments regarding the suppression of birth rates among minorities of Xinjiang, Zenz now says that "we do need to probably call it genocide."

“Evil-Eye” Talisman Forbidden by Turkey’s Religious Authority

The state-run body (Diyanet) claims the tradition of wearing an eye-shaped blue amulet, the ‘evil-eye’ — which is believed to have originated from as far back as 3,300 BCE — is incompatible with Islam and prohibited. This tradition has become widely adopted in Turkey.

"Although the nature and condition of the evil eye are unknown, it is accepted by religion that some people can create negative effects with their gaze," according to the advisory published by Diyanet on the internet.

Thai Woman Gets 43 Years For Sharing Criticism of Monarchy

Accused of criticizing the royal family, authorities sentenced a Thai woman to 43 years in prison, the harshest sentence ever for insulting the monarchy in this country.