Lead story
Editor's note:
Sondos Kholaki, a staff hospital chaplain in Southern California, believes Ramadan is when God sends her the most challenging cases — because she’s most ready for them.
“I come in completely emptied, and able to really sit and listen,” she said.
Kholaki is among a growing number of Muslim chaplains in the U.S., a role somewhat unfamiliar within Islam. Chaplaincy first entered the North American Muslim scene in the 1970s, when Black Muslims took on ministerial work in U.S. prisons. Since 2010, at least four new graduate programs in Islamic chaplaincy have popped up across the U.S., and during the pandemic the decade-old Association of Muslim Chaplains doubled its membership to 234.
RNS reporter Kathryn Post spoke with several Muslim chaplains about why this specialty is gaining momentum and how chaplains, who are usually employed in secular settings, can help Americans see the pastoral foundation of a religion so often vilified.
Religion News
Nigerian atheist jailed for blasphemy over Facebook posts
A Nigerian court has sentenced an atheist to 24 years in prison for making social media posts it found to be blasphemous against the Islamic religion in the West African nation’s northern region. By Chinedu Asadu/The Associated Press
Across US, faith groups mobilize to aid Ukrainian refugees
As U.S. refugee resettlement agencies and nonprofits nationwide gear up to help Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion and war that has raged for nearly six weeks, members of faith communities have been leading the charge to welcome the displaced. By Deepa Bharath and Luis Andres Henao/The Associated Press
Afghan families evacuated to the United States when the Taliban regained power are celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. They are doing so with gratitude for their safety, but also the agony of knowing their relatives back home are still in harm’s way. By Giovanna Dell'Orto and Mariam Fam/The Associated Press
From the cushion to the couch: Buddhism’s powerful influence on psychotherapy
Your therapist might be a Buddhist, and you'd never know it. By Ira Rifkin/Religion News Service
As Jewish movements struggle, independent rabbinical schools gain a toehold
A growing number of Jews are declaring no particular affiliation to either the Reform or Conservative movements. They prefer independent rabbinical schools. By Yonat Shimron/Religion News Service
Commentary and Analysis
The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, a case stemming from a football coach's prayers on the field, on April 25, 2022. By Charles J. Russo for The Conversation
The inspiration and outrage of an accomplished Black woman's confirmation hearings By Cheryl Townsend Gilkes/Religion News Service
Vladimir Putin has long been a favorite with many American evangelicals who praised his support for conservative values – and some of them still can't break up with him. By Melani McAlister for The Conversation
A sociologist explains that the ability to claim transgender identities in India may appear progressive, but this can further marginalize historically stigmatized gender-nonconforming groups. By Liz Mount for The Conversation
Members of the Assembly of First Nations perform in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Thursday, March 31, 2022. Pope Francis has welcomed First Nations delegations to the Vatican. They are seeking an apology for the Catholic Church's role in running Canada's notorious residential schools for Indigenous children. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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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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