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Editor's note:
It’s been more than 125 years since the trial that turned “Dreyfus” into a household name. Today, the French officer’s treason conviction – and his eventual exoneration – is a classic example of antisemitism, at a time when many French Jews fear hatred is on the rise again.
Far fewer people would recognize the name “Al Levy” – another Jewish soldier who faced court-martial, this time in the United States. Both cases illustrate antisemitism, but they have more than that in common, writes scholar Jeannette Gabriel. Both exemplify the power of speaking up against injustice, even – and especially – when you are not directly affected.
In Dreyfus’ case, support from famous writer Emile Zola helped bring a breakthrough. “J’accuse!” he shouted across a newspaper headline, accusing the government of antisemitism and flimsy evidence. In Levy’s case, speaking up for African American service members' rights got him in trouble – adding to calls for change that eventually ended segregation in the military.
Religion News
Polish Muslim leader helps feed migrants and soldiers
Maciej Szczęsnowicz cried when he saw migrants at the border for the first time, hungry and exhausted from the ordeal of being stuck while trying to enter from Belarus. A local Muslim leader, he is one now of many volunteers working to help the migrants. By Adam Pemble and Matthias Schrader/The Associated Press
Catholic bishops greenlight Communion document, but don’t single out politicians
After months of controversy, a much anticipated document barely mentioned politicians at all. By Jack Jenkins/Religion News Service
A lawsuit in which workers accuse a Hindu organization of human trafficking for luring them from India to build a temple in New Jersey for as little as $1.20 a day has widened to four other states. In an amended lawsuit, workers claim they were exploited at temples in California, Illinois, Texas and Georgia. By David Porter/The Associated Press
NY court expected to overturn 2 convictions in Malcolm X assassination
Muhammad A. Aziz and Khalil Islam, who had long maintained their innocence, spent years in maximum security prisons with limited access to their children and families. By Joseph Hammond/Religion News Service
Women in Argentina claim labor exploitation by Opus Dei
More than 40 women have filed a complaint against Opus Dei to the Vatican for alleged labor exploitation, and abuse of power and of conscience. The Argentine and Paraguayan citizens worked for the conservative Catholic group in Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Uruguay, Italy and Kazakhstan between 1974 and 2015. By Débora Rey/The Associated Press
Commentary and Analysis
What Americans hear about social justice at church – and what they do about it
Race, politics and religion have a long and tangled history in the US. And it all comes together each week in sermons across the country. By R. Khari Brown and Ronald Brown for The Conversation
Zakat, or charity, is a fundamental practice within the Islamic faith. By Iqbal Akhtar for The Conversation
Let’s talk about this fantasy: “Judeo-Christian way of life.” By Jeffrey Salkin/Religion News Service
Muslims also gave more to causes tied to relief from economic and health problems that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic. By Shariq Siddiqui and Rafeel Wasif for The Conversation
Imams from Paris mosques gather before paying their respects to the victims of the Nov. 13, 2015 attacks, near the Bataclan concert hall in Paris, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the attacks. Fourteen men are currently on trial over the Nov. 13, 2015, Islamic State attacks in Paris that killed 130 people. (AP Photo/Adrienne Surprenant)
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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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