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Religion
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Religion. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Protesters gather outside the US embassy in Kuala Lumpur at a rally held in solidarity with the Palestinian people on April 5, 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysia

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s support for Palestinians was unconditional … until it wasn’t

Public support for Palestinian refugees has waned after viral videos showing protests at a holding facility fuelled anti-migrant sentiment.

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | So Chinese New Year prosperity toss salad is unchristian?

Myanmar

In Asia’s forgotten war, reluctant rebels mark 4 years of bloody chaos

Fame and celebrity

Who is MLB star Mariano Rivera’s wife Clara Rivera?

Mariano Rivera and Clara Rivera are both pastors at the Refuge of Hope church in New York; while the two have been married for decades, Rivera was accused of fathering 2 children out of wedlock.

MLB star Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara Rivera run a church. Photo: @marianorivera/Instagram
Donald Trump

Who is Mariann Edgar Budde, the so-called ‘radical left hard line Trump hater’?

Budde previously criticised Trump in a New York Times article when he posed with a Bible – now she’s facing his ire after issuing a public plea for him to be lenient with marginalised communities.

Malaysia

Last laugh? Muslim comedian faces backlash over ham joke in Malaysia

Harith Iskander’s joke about ham sap kopi – a coffee drink – offended some Muslims, leading to police reports and calls for his social media suspension.

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Thailand

UN warns Thailand Uygur detainees face torture if deported to China

Thailand’s government insists there are no immediate plans to deport the 48 detainees, who fled China and were arrested in Thailand in 2014.

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Uygur detainees who say they are facing deportation to China sit in an immigration detention centre in Bangkok in February last year. Photo: Handout via AP
Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration

Trump calls Washington bishop ‘nasty’ after criticism from cathedral pulpit

The US president was forced to sit through a sermon by a bishop who begged him to have ‘mercy’ on gays and poor immigrants.

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India

‘I’ve lost sleep’: India’s ‘digital arrest’ scam leaves victims in financial ruin

India’s ‘digital arrest’ scam sees fraudsters posing as police, exploiting data from the country’s digital identity programme to steal life savings.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Covid-19 dashed volleyball dreams but led Hongkonger to become a Taoist priest

Oscar Ko switched from seeking sports glory to religion, serving others who faced loss and grief.

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The pandemic ended Oscar Ko’s dream of a career in sports, but opened the door to a new religious life. Photo: Handout
Fame and celebrity

Meet televangelist Joel Osteen’s co-pastor, fellow preacher wife, Victoria

Known as the First Lady of Lakewood Church, 63-year-old Victoria Osteen has forged a career for herself as a co-pastor and social media sensation. But what’s she really like?

Joel Osteen posted this Instagram pic of him and his wife Victoria to celebrate their anniversary. Photo: @joelosteen/Instagram
Fame and celebrity

Meet Pete Hegseth’s bestie Will Cain, who’s replacing Neil Cavuto on Fox News

Long-time Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto is stepping away from the network and being replaced by Will Cain – here’s what you need to know about him.

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Malaysia

Ham sandwich scandal exposes tensions over halal certification in Malaysia

The discovery of a sandwich with a fake halal label at a convenience store has ignited outrage and debate over certification standards.

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Malaysia

Muslim Malaysians promote mosques on TikTok after discontent over tourism video

Many highlight religious sites’ architecture after Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign clip failed to feature any mosques.

The Putra Mosque in Putrajaya, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE
Asia travel

Update | First of 400 million pilgrims take dip in holy waters at Hindu festival

India’s Maha Kumbh Mela gets under way, with 15 million Hindu devotees lining up to bathe in the waters of river they regard as sacred.

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A Hindu devotee takes a holy dip at Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers with the mythical, invisible Saraswati river, at the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India. Photo: Retuters
India

Indian Hindus gather for Kumbh Mela, 400 million take a plunge for salvation

On the banks of the Ganges River, the largest gathering of people in the world began in India’s Prayagraj, in northern Uttar Pradesh state.

India

India’s growing rift with Bangladesh echoes its Pakistan tensions

As New Delhi voices concerns for Hindu rights in Bangladesh while sheltering the ousted Sheikh Hasina, accusations of meddling run rife.

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Australia

Australian state premier calls synagogue attack an escalation in antisemitism

The attempted arson in Sydney was the latest in a wave of incidents that have targeted the country’s Jewish community.

Antisemitic graffiti was removed after it was spray-painted on the side of the Synagogue on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Asia travel

India prepares for Kumbh Mela Hindu festival, world’s largest gathering

Over 6 weeks from January 13, 350-400 million Hindu pilgrims will converge on the Ganges. Many will bathe in its waters to achieve salvation.

Viral stories

South Korea youth re-do Jesus, add hearts to images, create posters, spark debate

Country’s youngsters give religious icon a modern-day makeover, cafes celebrate his birthday, critics say trend ‘desecrates sanctity’ of faith.

Indonesia

Indonesian court’s ruling on citizens’ religion sparks discrimination fears

Rights activists say the court’s decision could reduce religion to a bureaucratic formality and ‘thicken religious polarisation’.

The Istiqlal Mosque (top) and the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption (bottom). Indonesia officially recognises six religions. Photo: Indonesia’s Presidential Palace / AFP
Fame and celebrity

Is Melanie Jayda rapper Offset’s new flame, amid his messy Cardi B split?

The Atlanta-based model, who previously dated rapper RX Peso, has frequently been spotted in Offset’s company – and she has now set her Instagram account to private.

Offset is rumoured to be dating model Melanie Jayda (pictured) amid his divorce from Cardi B. Photos: @offsetyrn/Instagram, @melaniejayda/Instagram
Britain

Archbishop of Canterbury’s tenure ends after resignation over abuse scandal

Justin Welby announced his resignation in November amid an abuse cover-up scandal.

Italy

Pope Francis names Italian sister as first woman to lead major Vatican office

The appointment signals significant advancement in women’s leadership within the Catholic Church.

France

Charlie Hebdo marks 10 years since Paris attack with defiant special edition

The French newspaper’s special edition featured a caricature contest mocking God, celebrating satire and freedom of expression.

French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo shows the front-page of its special edition to mark ten years since an attack on its offices by Islamist gunmen that decimated its staff. Photo: Handout/Charlie Hebdo/AFP
Lessons from China's history

Reflections | Is God there? Yes, said China’s Confucius, but so what?

Chinese philosopher Kongzi, also known as Confucius, put no faith in deities, preferring to focus on the here and now.

Kongzi, also known as Confucius, preferred to focus on the here and now rather than on deities. Photo: Getty Images
Malaysia

Malaysia doubles patrols to find Myanmar migrant boats

The coastguard says 196 migrants, thought to be Rohingya refugees, were detained on Friday on the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi.

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Malaysia

Malaysian ‘too tired’ to go home after fireworks caught with masseuse in hotel

The married man was among 13 people detained during an anti-vice operation in Melaka.

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