RNS Morning Report - The backlash to a Hindu nationalist leader's visit; A mosque class trip sparks lawsuit; Dolly Parton's faith

‘No Room for Bhagwat’: Interfaith group blasts Hindutva leader’s upcoming MSG speech   A coalition of faith leaders and religious advocates gathered at New York’s City Hall on Tuesday (Aug. 25) to denounce the upcoming visit of Mohan Bhagwat, leader of the Hindu nationalist paramilitary organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) based in India.   Bhagwat, chief of the RSS since 2009, is expected to address 5,000 Hindu Americans at Madison Square Garden on Saturday (Aug. 29).   “There is no room for Mohan Bhagwat and RSS hatred in our city,” said Brad Landers, Democratic nominee for Congress, adding that the organization “fomented violence and promoted hatred against Muslims, against Sikhs, against Dalits, against Christians.”   Meanwhile, some Hindu American organizations have accused Bhagwat’s critics of leveraging opposition to Hindu nationalism, also called Hindutva, to spew anti-Hindu hate.   RNS Reporter Fiona André brings you the story.         Top Stories ‘No Room for Bhagwat’: Interfaith group blasts Hindutva leader’s upcoming MSG speech (RNS) — 'There is no room for Mohan Bhagwat and RSS hatred in our city,' said Brad Lander, Democratic nominee for Congress, of Bhagwat’s speaking engagement at Madison Square Garden. Is a school trip to a mosque preaching or teaching? California school district gets hit with lawsuit. PALO ALTO, Calif. (RNS) — A group of parents of various faiths sued Palo Alto Unified School District over a 2025 school trip to a mosque, claiming students were gifted Qurans and female students were encouraged to wear hijabs. ‘I am a person of faith’: How Christianity shaped Dolly Parton’s music and spirit (RNS) — Country music icon Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday, credited her faith for her career, which crossed religions, races and politics — and the philanthropy that followed. Photos of the Week: Mawlid, sorrows of war (RNS) — Each week RNS presents a gallery of photos of religious expression around the world. This week’s photo selection includes Mawlid, the sorrows of war and more. Opinion Why I hate the old Latin Mass: A confession (RNS) — The old Latin Mass is like a zombie. We thought it was dead, but it keeps coming back. The church has a Cambridge problem (RNS) — Christians can criticize affirmative action and DEI hires all they want, but the continued employment of disqualified pastors in the pulpit is the church’s own form of an employment program. ICYMI Settler attacks threaten the West Bank’s final Christian village (RNS) — As settler violence escalates in Taybeh, a Catholic priest and a papal charity are working to give Palestinian Christians security, jobs and community support to remain in the Holy Land. Rev. Barbara Brown Zikmund, trailblazing religion scholar, dies at 87 (RNS) — The Rev. Barbara Brown Zikmund began her career in academia in the 1960s and went on to reach a series of milestones for women in theological institutions. Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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