Lead story
Editor's note:
This week, news continues to unfold around Afghanistan and the plight of refugees under the Taliban. The Islamist group held the first meeting with religious leaders on Monday since taking control of Kabul, laying out guidelines on religious instructions.
In one story, Indiana University’s Sumit Ganguly and his PhD student Sohel Rana go into the history of Taliban’s religious ideology, which originated from the Deobandi school in the small north Indian town of Deoband, which I’m very familiar with. Set up in the late 19th century in colonial India, Deobandi Islam, aided by the forces of geopolitics and the rise of fundamentalism, quickly spread in many parts of the Muslim world – but also moved far away from its religious roots of pious Islam.
Another article, from Michigan State’s Stephanie J. Nawyn, describes how faith-based advocacy organizations work with refugees, irrespective of their religion. However, she notes that there are signs that some white Christians no longer support this mission.
Religion News
As vulnerable Afghans flee Kabul, US faith groups prepare to aid them
Faith-based refugee resettlement groups are mobilizing to help Afghans as they arrive — and from afar. By Jack Jenkins/Religion News Service
For atheists, the idea of aliens seems real. Religious people doubt it.
A new study finds that atheists think there just might be aliens out there. Evangelicals are not so sure. By Bob Smietana/Religion News Service
German minister criticizes Vatican stance on gay couples
Germany’s health minister has criticized the Roman Catholic Church for its refusal to bless same-sex unions but says his religious faith remains strong. By The Associated Press
A Brazilian bishop resigned on Wednesday, less than a week after a video spread on social media that featured someone, purported to be him, masturbating. By David Biller and Nicole Winfield/The Associated Press
Israeli probe into deadly holy site stampede opens hearings
An Israeli government commission investigating a deadly accident at a holy site in April holds its first day of hearings, almost four months after the stampede at Mount Meron left 45 people dead. By Ilan Ben Zion/The Associated Press
Commentary and Analysis
Deobandi Islam, the religious school that the Taliban draw their ideology from, was set up in 19th century India to educate Muslim youth. By Sumit Ganguly and Sohel Rana for The Conversation
For Muslims, Ashura marks the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammed's grandson Hussain. By Noorzehra Zaidi for The Conversation
Kashmir has been in conflict since 1947, despite repeated UN and US interventions. An expert in security studies explains why international law has failed to keep the peace. By Bulbul Ahmed for The Conversation
Namaste nationalism: Yoga, whiteness and extremism on Jan. 6
Liberal v. conservative divisions are a flawed way to understand what happened at the Capitol. By Dheepa Sundaram/Religion News Service
A Kashmiri Shiite Muslim boy flagellates himself as he participates in an Ashura procession, the 10th day of Muharram, in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021. Muharram is a month of mourning in remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
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- This Week in Religion is a publication of the Global Religion Journalism Initiative, a collaboration among the Religion News Service, The Associated Press and The Conversation U.S.
- The three news organizations work to improve general understanding and analyze the significance of developments in the world of faith.
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