Week of April 19, 2010 News Update‏

Week of April 19, 2010 News Update‏

في الجمعة ٢٣ - أبريل - ٢٠١٠ ١٢:٠٠ صباحاً

South Africa: Religious Uproar Over Jewish Judge Who Criticized Israel

Durban, South Africa - South Africa's Jewish community, the largest in Africa, is in an uproar over pressure brought to bear on one of its most eminent members by Zionists upset over his involvement in a United Nations investigation suggesting that Israel committed war crimes in Gaza.

In a report in this week's issue of the South African Jewish Report, the experienced South African journalist Moira Schneider writes that Justice Richard Goldstone has been effectively barred from attending the celebration of his grandson's bar mitzvah - the religious coming-of-age ceremony for Jewish boys in their early teens.

Activists Claim Free Speech Victory As 'Leaving Islam' Ads Return to Buses

(CNSNews.com) - A public transit authority in Florida has reversed a decision to take down banner advertisements on buses that offer help to Muslims wanting to leave their faith. Activists are hailing the move as a victory for free speech and religious freedom.

Not only will the ten originally planned ads appear on Miami-Dade Transit buses in coming days, but an additional 20 ads will be run at no extra cost.

The decision came after the group initiating the ad campaign threatened a lawsuit, claiming breach of contract and violation of First Amendment rights.

East Asia and Oceania

Law Banning Blasphemy Is Upheld in Indonesia

Sarkozy to submit bill banning Islamic face veils

PARIS (AP) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday ordered legislation that would ban women from wearing Islamic veils that hide the face in the street and other public places.

In seeking to forbid the garment from public view, Sarkozy defied the advice of experts sought by the government who warned that such a broad ban risked contravening France's constitution.

Such a measure would put France on the same track as Belgium, which is also moving toward a complete ban in a similar reaction as Islamic culture has come in conflict with native European values. Sarkozy has repeatedly said that such clothing oppresses women and is "not welcome" in France.

Belgium heading for first burka ban

Senior officer in Saudi religious police fired for advocating mixing of sexes Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - An official from Saudi Arabia's powerful religious police says its leader fired the chief of the Mecca branch for advocating the mixing of the sexes.

Ahmed bin Qassim al-Ghamidi's suggestion in a recent newspaper interview that men and women should be left to mingle freely clashed with a central concern of the force.

Russia and the CIS

Russian court bans Hubbard's Scientology books as extremist

Moscow, Russia - A court in Russia's Urals has ruled that the materials by L. Ron Hubbard are to be banned as undermining the spiritual basis of life in Russia, says the Prosecutor-General's official website.

According to Russian legislature, the books are to be included in the federal list of extremist materials and are to be forbidden on the whole territory of the country.

Madhya Pradesh: Christian dies fleeing Hindus Betul (AsiaNews) - A 25-year-old Christian, Amit Gilbert, drowned in a well trying to flee from the fury of a group of Hindu radicals who had attacked a prayer meeting in Madhya Pradesh, seriously wounding three participants. The attack occurred last Saturday in the village of Saliya, near Betul. According to Abhishek Rajan, a local police official, the body of the man was found in the well after he jumped inside trying to escape from his attackers.

Disclaimer: THE INSTITUTE on Religion and Public Policy does not endorse or adhere to views or opinions expressed in the articles posted. This is purely an information service to inform interested parties of news, information, events and trends.

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