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Religion

Religion
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Religion. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
PAS supporters gather outside an election nomination centre in Langkawi, Malaysia, in 2018. Photo: AP
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

Malaysia

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

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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.

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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.

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.

Models wear hijabs from Uniqlo Malaysia’s modest-wear line. Photo: Uniqlo Malaysia
Canada

UN experts urge Canada to protect Sikh activist facing threats to life

Rights monitors press Ottawa over alleged foreign intimidation targeting Moninder Singh.

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Sikh activist Moninder Singh in 2023. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

Losing religion, not belief: Singapore’s fluid spiritual shift

Formal religious affiliation has been slipping in the city state, but surveys show belief in a higher power endures.

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India

India’s West Bengal shells out for eggs in school meals after outcry

The BJP, elected for the first time in the state in May, often promotes vegetarianism as a part of its broader nationalist agenda.

Crime

Man who stabbed Salman Rushdie convicted in US terrorism trial

Already serving a 25-year state prison sentence for the attack, Hadi Matar now faces a potential life sentence for the federal conviction.

Hadi Matar is escorted from the courtroom in Mayville, New York, in February 2025. Photo: AP
Crime

Rushdie attacker declines to testify in US terror trial

Already serving 25 years for state attempted murder, Hadi Matar faces life in prison if convicted on federal charges.

Novelist Salman Rushdie was left blind in one eye after the 2022 attack. Photo: AP
Singapore

Singapore detains 3 ‘self-radicalised’ teens over planned attacks

The teens, aged 14 to 19, were held under the Internal Security Act, which allows for detention without trial.

India

India’s education minister quits in major win for youth protesters

India’s latest street protests have been a challenge to PM Narendra Modi as politicians joined youngsters’ calls ‌to demand action.

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Crime

Terrorism trial opens in stabbing of author Salman Rushdie

This is the second trial for Hadi Matar, who was earlier found guilty of attempted murder after attacking the writer on a state in New York.

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Hadi Matar walks into Chautauqua County court in Mayville, New York, in May 2025. Photo: AP
Religion in China

My Take | Churches must ensure that complaints of sexual abuse are taken seriously

As the city prepares for a sex crime legislation overhaul, every community sector should work to ensure that people are free from harassment.

India

1 dead, nearly 100 injured in crush at India chariot festival

Tens of thousands had gathered in the town of Puri for one of the world’s oldest and largest religious processions.

Indonesia

Indonesia’s anti-LGBT education push raises concerns about stigmatising youth

Critics warn the new material to discourage the spread of ‘LGBT culture’ could backfire with consequences for young people.

Protesters march with banners against the LGBT community in Banda Aceh in December 2017. Photo: AFP
Wellness

Indian spiritual leader on finding inner peace and ‘the charm of Hong Kong’

On a recent Hong Kong visit, Chinmaya Mission head Swami Swaroopananda spoke about meditation, mindset and the ‘happening’ city he grew up in.

Chinmaya Mission head Swami Swaroopananda in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, next to a portrait of Swami Chinmayananda. Swaroopananda grew up in Hong Kong and was back recently for a spiritual gathering celebrating his mission’s 75th anniversary. Photo: Edmond So
United States

Battle for the Bible, ballot: Democratic pastors fight US Christian nationalism

‘Christian nationalism is one of the biggest threats to democracy in the US,’ an Arkansas pastor vying for a congressional seat says.

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Indonesia

At Indonesia’s sharia frontier, a complicated love affair with flogging

Rights groups call it torture. Aceh’s residents reveal a more nuanced debate than outrage allows.

Japan

A Japanese city allowed Muslim park prayers for 30 years. Now, there’s unease

The Ichikawa mayor’s decision to restrict the gathering sparks debate on multicultural coexistence in Japan amid discrimination concerns.

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People pray at a mosque in Ichikawa, Japan’s Chiba prefecture, on May 27. Photo: Kyodo
Italy

Pope visits Africa-Europe crossing as anti-migrant policies rise in US, EU

The Catholic Church’s first US pope has clashed with the administration of President Donald Trump over its treatment of migrants.

Pope Leo XIV (centre) meets with a migrant family by the arch of the monument Door of Europe, during a visit to Lampedusa island, Italy, on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Thailand

8 monks killed in Thailand after boy, 11, crashes truck into pilgrims

Five monks were killed at the roadside in Mukdahan province, while three others later died in hospital.

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Indonesia

Unmarried Indonesian couple get 21 lashes each over viral live stream kiss

About 100 people witnessed the caning, carried out by a group of people wearing robes and hoods on a stage in Banda Aceh.

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