Sharia Blasphemy Law Upheld as Constitutional by Nigerian Court

On August 17, a Nigerian federal appeals court ruled that Islamic Sharia (law) does not violate the country’s secular constitution in a two-to-one decision. It was also decided that Sharia courts have jurisdiction over blasphemy cases.

Taliban Bride Abduction Scheme Exposed by Undercover Journalist

It was an empty promise. This was what undercover journalist and filmmaker Ramita Navai said about the promise of the Taliban to defend women’s rights according to Islamic law.

Islamic law is seen to implement God’s commands for Muslims. Sharia, which means “the way,” are laws that represent conduct that is intended to guide Muslims.

Anti-Hijab Civil Disobedience Leads to Arrest of Iranian Women

Amid an intense campaign of the Iranian government on the proper and strict wearing of the hijab, arrests of protesters, mainly women activists, have also started to increase.

Under Iran’s 1980 Islamic Sharia law, women are obliged to cover or disguise their figures by wearing long, loose-fitting clothes, ensuring that this also covers their hair. Women who violate this dress code are met with public rebuke, fines, and even arrests.

Death by Stoning: Sudanese Woman Receives Death Sentence for Adultery

On June 26, a 20 years old woman from the northeastern African country of Sudan was sentenced to death by stoning for cheating on her husband. She was convicted on charges of adultery, being the first case of stoning in the country after almost a decade.

Iranian Teen Girl Honored Killed by Father For "Laughing with Boy at Park"

An honor-based family murder in a small town in the Fars province of Iran has once again sparked debates on the lack of laws to prevent “honor-killing” in Iran.

On June 27, the father of Ariana Lashkari shot the sixteen-year-old girl in the chest with a hunting rifle for allegedly laughing with a boy at a park, which he considered a disgrace to the family.

Nigerian Court Orders Death by Stoning For Men Convicted of Homosexuality

A 70-year-old man and two other gay men were sentenced to death by stoning in Bauchi, Nigeria. The accused were charged and convicted for engaging in acts of homosexuality. They were arrested by the religious police force of the state on June 14.

Call to Action: Help Nigerian Imprisoned Atheist Mubarak Bala!

Back in April, Humanists International wrote an online open letter to Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje regarding the unjust conviction and sentencing of Atheist activist Mubarak Bala. The open letter still welcomes signatures to show support and gather more attention.

Taliban Bans the Farming of Opium Poppies

On April 3, the Taliban announced that they would ban the cultivation of opium poppies. A spokesman from the Taliban warned that farmers might be “jailed and their crops burned if they harvested poppy,” DW reported.

Taliban Orders Government Workers: "Do Not Shave, Must have Beard to Work"

The Taliban has ordered government officials to wear a beard and adhere to dress codes, as provided by their hardline interpretation of Islam. On Monday, March 28, representatives of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice visited government offices, enforcing the new order.

Secular Activist Raif Badawi Freed from Saudi Prison After 10 Years!

Raif Badawi, a prominent Saudi blogger and human rights advocate, arrested in 2012, is finally free after ten years in prison. Ensaf Haidar, Badawi's wife, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that her husband called her about his release.

"Raif called me. He is free," she said. Haidar is living in Quebec, Canada, along with their three children.