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Religion

Religion
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Religion. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Afghan burqa-clad women queue to receive free meals during Ramadan on the outskirts of Kabul in 2025. Photo: AFP
Afghanistan

ICC unseals arrest warrants for Taliban ministers

Court in The Hague accuses Afghan leaders of crimes against humanity stemming from curbs on women.

Chinese culture

China’s ‘mountain of immortals’: why millions flock to the peaks of Wudang

France

Eiffel Tower chief to step down over removal of women staff for Hindu group visit

France

Pope Leo pledges action on child abuse by priests after meeting French survivors

The pope met privately with victims and heard proposals for how to improve the Church’s safeguarding measures, ‌said a Vatican statement.

Pope Leo leads the prayer of the Holy Rosary on the day of a candlelight procession, at the Grotto of the Apparitions, also known as the Grotto of Massabielle, at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes in France on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

In Malaysia, a mother’s love offers her trans daughter refuge

For transgender Muslims in Kelantan, quiet family acceptance at home contrasts with growing fear of sharia crackdowns.

France

Pope celebrates giant Paris mass in landmark visit

The first US pontiff was visiting France seven months before French voters went to the polls.

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France

In Paris, Pope warns against losing humanity in ‘paradise of machines’

Pope Leo is in France on a four-day trip, the first official papal trip in 18 years to France.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte accompany Pope Leo after their meeting in the Elysee Palace in Paris on Friday. Photo: via AP
China’s Communist Party

Communist Party names new Tibet party chief in regional leadership reshuffle

Hu Changsheng takes top Tibet post as regional transfers offer clues about broader political line-up ahead of national party congress.

Lessons from China's history

Reflections | A Polish priest’s perilous mission to save a doomed Chinese dynasty

In 1651, the embattled Ming court, which included several Christian converts, sent Michal Boym to seek the Pope’s aid. It never came.

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Malaysia

Malaysian councillor resigns after DAP remarks at Umno assembly

In his speech at the Umno assembly, Zaidi claimed DAP feared losing power if Malays and Muslims came together.

Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said is Umno division chief for Permatang Pauh. Photo: Facebook/mohdzaidi.mohdsaid
Japan

Japanese monks embrace material world to raise cash as donations shrink

Temple upkeep costs are soaring while Japan’s Buddhist population has dropped about 14 per cent in the last two decades.

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Tourists visit the Sensoji Temple in Tokyo on August 19. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

‘Not immigration office’: Malaysia’s PAS slammed for linking heaven to support

Malaysian politicians criticise the comment, saying PAS is implying that Muslims who do not vote for it are ‘condemned to hell’.

Mexico

Fireworks blast at Mexico festival kills 10, injures dozens

Explosion near church in Temascalcingo prompts investigation as rescue crews sift through debris.

Malaysia

Malaysian under fire for competing at transgender beauty pageant in Thailand

The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia said it would summon the contestant in the Miss Equality World event for questioning.

Participants at the Miss Equality World 2026 pageant in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Facebook/MissEqualityWorld
South Korea

South Korea’s Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja jailed 2 years for bribing officials

Han is accused of giving luxury items to former first lady Kim Keon-hee and providing illegal funds to a prominent lawmaker.

Unification Church leader Han Hak-ja arrived for the sentencing hearing at the Seoul Central District Court on Monday. Photo: AFP
India

‘ChatGPT is not judging you’: Indians turn to AI gurus for answers

The chatbots are powered by large language models using sacred texts such as Hinduism’s ‘Bhagavad Gita’.

Fame and celebrity

Who is Jack Pratt? Meet Anna Faris and Chris Pratt’s 14-year-old son

The Scary Movie star and Avengers actor split in 2017, but live nearby to co-parent their son, Jack, who was born prematurely in 2012.

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Malaysia

Islamic university sacks professor who claimed Malays could fly

Solehah Yaacob went viral with her pseudo-history claims. She is fighting against her dismissal.

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Controversial Malaysian academic Solehah Yaacob seen in a still from a live-streamed lecture. Photo: Facebook/profsolehah
Malaysia

Are Malaysian Muslims less corrupt? PAS leader skewered over divisive politics

Critics demand evidence from Abdul Hadi Awang as official bribery data shows mixed results.

Indonesia

Bali jails Swiss tourist for insulting sacred Day of Silence

He boasted on social media that he had defied restrictions prohibiting residents and visitors from leaving their homes or accommodation.

Malaysia

‘Is this China?’: Malaysian preacher under fire over Chinese festival remarks

Ridhuan Tee Abdullah publicly questioned why a Hungry Ghost Festival banner was in Chinese rather than Malay.

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Paper money being burned during Hungry Ghost Festival. Photo: Getty Images
India

7 die in Indian temple stampede after electric wire snaps

Thousands of devotees had gathered at Ashok Dham Temple to offer prayers on Shravan, one of the holiest months in the Hindu calendar.

A Hindu devotee lights an earthen lamp during the holy month of Sawan at a temple in Jammu, India, on August 10. Photo: AP
Malaysia

PAS’ latest sharia law push signals its Malaysian federal power ambition

The move aims to signal to Malay voters that PAS is committed to Islamic values ahead of the next general election, analysts say.

Australia

Australian jury convicts ex-Catholic bishop of sexually abusing 2 men

Christopher Saunders, 76, is one of the most senior Australian Catholics to be convicted in a global clergy abuse scandal.

Afghanistan

2.4 million Afghan girls banned from schools 5 years after Taliban takeover: UN

The United Nations is urging an end to the ‘discriminatory’ Taliban policy that prevents girls from studying beyond primary school.

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Afghan girls at a primary school in Kabul. The Taliban does not permit girls to study beyond primary education. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Indonesian Islamic body warns against cross-dressing in Independence Day games

The warning comes amid rising fear following attacks on gay people and a regulation classifying LGBTQ culture as a security threat.

Students take part in the street culture carnival to celebrate Indonesia’s Independence Day in Banda Aceh on August 19, 2023. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Video | Inside Asia’s only dedicated exorcism centre

Manila facility trains priests and clergy as cases of alleged possession continue to rise.

Malaysia

‘This is not hijab’: unpicking controversy behind Uniqlo Malaysia’s new line

Critics are taking issue with images showing the cloth wrapped turban-like around the head, leaving parts of the neck and chest visible.

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