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Religion

Religion
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Religion. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
An injured man looks out of an ambulance at a hospital in Maiduguri. Photo: AFP
Africa

Suicide attacks in Nigeria kill 23, wound more than 100

Attacks in Maiduguri are among the deadliest in the conflict-battered city in recent history.

Malaysia

Malaysia tackles racial tensions as 2 men charged over provocative posts

Gun violence in the US

Brother of Michigan synagogue attacker was Hezbollah commander: Israeli military

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Cease fire’! Pope Leo escalates call for Middle East war to end

The pope did not cite the US or Israel by name but did mention the strike on a school in Iran that killed over 165 people.

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Pope Leo leads prayers from a window at the Vatican on Sunday. Photo: Handout via Reuters
Crime in Hong Kong

2 monks brawl during temple ceremony in Hong Kong, leaving 1 injured

Police say one monk has been arrested after fight at repentance service at Chuk Lam Sim Yuen.

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Asia travel

The quiet Japanese islands where Christians once hid their religion

Those searching for solitude in these tranquil Japanese isles follow in the footsteps of persecuted Christians forced to practise their faith in secret.

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Gun violence in the US

Assailant dead after ramming vehicle into Michigan synagogue

Authorities identify the deceased assailant as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali; reports suggest he recently lost family members in Lebanon.

Police respond to reports of a shooting at Temple Israel Synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan on Thursday. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysian man jailed for 10 months, fined US$12,700 over Facebook post insulting Islam

Malaysia has warned that ‘stern action’ will be taken against content that insults, incites hatred or touches on race, religion or royalty.

Malaysia

1 holy month, 1 year’s income: Malaysia’s Ramadan bazaar boom

Rents have doubled, ingredient costs keep climbing, yet for the stallholders at Malaysia’s bazaars, no other month comes close.

Germany

Berlin jails man for 13 years over stabbing at Holocaust memorial

The man, 20, said he had been motivated by his radicalisation and belief he was acting with a religious mission.

Police apprehend a suspect at the scene where a person was stabbed near Berlin’s Holocaust memorial in Berlin on February 21, 2025. Photo: AFP
Religion in China

What are Buddhist relics? The bones and teeth with great power for followers

Buddhist relics are seen as living, active sources of blessings imbued with supernatural qualities, but authenticity can be an issue.

The Shakyamuni Buddha Tooth is displayed at the Wei Mountain Temple in Rosemead, California, on February 17, 2026. Buddhist relics like these are revered by followers of Buddhism, providing connections to the Buddha and other revered monks. Photo: AP
Japan

Muslims in Japan were falsely blamed for illegal buildings. Then came the fires

It started with social media posts falsely blaming Muslims for building violations. Then came the fires.

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Japan

Japanese court upholds order to dissolve Unification Church over donations

The order will take immediate effect, with the group losing its religious corporation tax status and liquidation procedures to begin.

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Japan

How the Unification Church is facing fallout in Japan from Shinzo Abe’s murder

Critics have called the group a ‘money-making business’, with many people having lost huge sums of money from its ‘spiritual sales’.

The logo of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, known as the Unification Church, at the entrance of the Japan branch headquarters in Tokyo. Photo: AFP
Crime

French court reduces prison terms for 3 involved in 2020 teacher beheading

Samuel Paty was murdered by radical Islamist teenager Abdoullakh Anzorov after showing a class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Members of the public stand in front of a photograph of Samuel Paty as they attend a memorial in Eragny-sur-Oise, northwestern Paris, France in October 2021, a year after the teacher was beheaded. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s ‘ridiculous’ push to curb LGBTQ apps tests limits of digital control

Officials are examining legislative steps to curb apps like Grindr, though removal from global stores is beyond direct state control.

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Indonesia

Row over speakers on Indonesian ‘island of 1,000 mosques’ sparks debate on rules

A New Zealander’s disruption of a prayer session over the use of loudspeakers at a mosque has prompted some to call for a law on their use.

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Malaysia

Malaysia blocks Grindr, Blued for promoting ‘deviant’ relationships

The move signals tightening social climate and civil liberties concerns in the country.

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Malaysia is reviewing laws to curb LGBTQ dating apps like Grindr. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysian police arrest student for desecrating Koran in viral social media post

The post, which reportedly shows a photo of a man stepping on the holy book, has sparked public outrage and concerns over religious harmony.

The Netherlands

New Dutch government under centrist Jetten takes power

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October to dethrone the far-right party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders.

Malaysia

Bikini-clad mermaid sales stunt triggers religious probe in Malaysia

Authorities in conservative Kelantan are investigating the viral cross-dressing video after online critics accused the men of mocking Islam.

An expanded screenshot of the mermaid sales stunt that circulated on Malaysian social media. Photo: X/dahfollowbelum
Chinese culture

Ancient Chinese astrology gets a Gen Z rebrand in Southeast Asia

Forget rituals and superstitions, today’s young professionals are using ‘bazi’ 10-year luck forecasts to plan their next career pivot.

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An event organised by Joey Yap, one of “bazi’s” most prominent modern practitioners. Photo: Handout
Nepal

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo laments world ‘in flames’ at Ash Wednesday service

The pontiff said the ashes could represent cities destroyed by war, as well as the damage to the environment and international law.

Belgium

Belgium summons US ambassador over claims of antisemitism in rare diplomatic row

Ambassador Bill White had called an investigation into illegal circumcisions an ‘unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community’.

Pedestrians walk through Brussels’ historic centre around the Grand-Place. Photo: EPA-EFE
Australia

Australia presses Israel’s Herzog for charges over Gaza strike killing aid worker

PM Albanese uses Israeli president’s visit to demand charges for 2024 strike on aid convoy that killed Australian Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues.

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog (left) meets with Australia·s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Parliament House in Canberra. Photo: dpa
United States

Walk for peace: Buddhist monks arrive in Washington after 3,700km journey

Their message of compassion, which comes amid US tensions over Trump’s immigration crackdown, has won millions of supporters.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s ‘illegal’ temple row: PM slams vigilantism after rally ban

Police detained 19 people, including a controversial preacher, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday warned against playing ‘hero’.

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