International Religious Freedom News Archive

Welcome to the Becket Fund's International Religious Freedom News Archive.  Every week, we release top headlines related to religious liberty throughout the world.  This page provides links to every update we provide.  Links will be added weekly.  If you would like to sign up to have these weekly newsletters delivered straight to your e-mail inbox, click here.
 

To view the most recent Newsletter, click here.

2008

December 5-21

Feature: USCIRF has released a report in support of designating Iraq as a nation of particular concern for 2008.  The USCIRF site has more.

November 22-December 3

Feature: Kazakhstan's lower house of Parliament approved controversial legislation on November 26 to increase government control over religious groups. The decision drew criticism from the Organization for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE), of which Kazakhstan will be the president in 2010.  The AP has more.

November 17-19

Feature: China and Tibetan leaders are in the middle of talks that began on November 17.  The talks, taking place in India, follow what has been perceived to be an increase in governmental restrictions placed on the Tibetan region.  The New York Times hasmore.

October 29 - November 12

Feature: Saudi Arabia will preside over a two-day U.N. conference on religious tolerance beginning on November 12.  Representatives from the Becket Fund will be in attendance.  The Washington Post has more. 

Feature: Gethin Chamberlain talks to homeless survivors in Kandhamal district who were forced to abandon Christianity as a fresh wave of sectarian violence is unleashed across the Indian state of Orissa.  The Guardian UK has more since October 23.

Sep. 25 - October 10

Feature: During the current Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Human Dimension meeting in Warsaw, the Becket Fund testified on the emerging legislative issues dealing with the freedom of religion or belief.  To read more, click here.

September 7-12

Feature:  On September 12 Pope Benedict XVI addressed the strict separation between church and state in France at the beginning of his week long visit to the nation.  Pew Forum has more.

Aug. 27-Sep. 5

Feature: This week’s Economist discusses the emerging debate over religious discrimination in state-funded religious schools. 

Aug 14-20

Aug 9-12

August 1-6

July 15-29

July 16-25

July 13-16

June 25-July 1

Update:  BBC reports that, the government in Indian-administered Kashmir has formally revoked a plan to give a tract of forest land to a board that manages an important Hindu shrine.  BBC has more.

Jun 20-25

June 13-19

1. Uzbekistan: State Rebroadcasts Religiously Intolerant Film
2. UK: High Court to Hear case of Sikh ‘Bangle’ Girl
3. China: Silk Road in Kashgar Closed Ahead of Olympics
4. Pakistan: Man Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy
5. Azerbaijan: Second Raid in a Month on Jehovah’s Witnesses
6. Netherlands: Appeals Court Rejects Defamation Lawsuit
 
Feature: Mark Dubowitz of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies analyzes the growing global campaign to outlaw the "defamation of religions", in a June 19 Wall Street Journal oped.
 
Update: As Islamic scholars and lawmakers in Yemen push for a religious police force, there are now reports of citizens taking it upon themselves to enforce religious standards. Yemeni male and female students have been violently accosted in the streets by these groups of civilian religious enforcers for leaving school in mixed gender groups. The Washington Post has more.  

Jun 7-12

Jun 1-5

May 20-28

1. Uganda: University Refuses to Allow Religious Exceptions to Dress Code

2. Uzbekistan: Religious Minorities Maligned in State-Run Media

3. Somalia: Union of Islamic Courts Plans for Sharia in Newly-Captured Districts

4. Pakistan: Mosque Construction Sparks Debate Over Old Building Law
 

5. Azerbaijan: Muslim Imprisoned on Dubious Charges

Features: This week, BBC's Reporting Religion discusses what life is like for Iran's Bahá'ís.  The program includes an interview with a woman whose cousin has been imprisoned in Iran due to her faith. (Reporting Religion is updated weekly; the piece on Bahá'ís will be removed this Sunday when the latest edition of the program is broadcast)

Catholics in Santa Ana, Cuba, have been given permission to build the first new church Cuba has had in fifty years, according to the Times of Malta.

Amnesty International released their annual report (.pdf) on the state of human rights worldwide, including the state of religious freedom in several countries.

Update: The six Bahá'í leaders arrested in Tehran on May 14^th continue to be held without access to their lawyers or contact with family members, according an update from the Bahá'í community.  Despite previous reports that they were being held at Tehran's Evin prison, their current whereabouts are unknown.  In a statement on May 20^th, the government maintained that they were arrested for "security reasons" which had nothing to do with their faith.

April 30-May 7

1. Kazakhstan: New Restrictions Proposed on Religious Communities
2. Zimbabwe: Anglicans Allege Police Interference in Church Affairs
3. Vietnamese: Police Confiscate Property from "Banned" Buddhist Community
4. Turkey: State Requires Alevis to Take Part in Muslim Religious Classes
5. Uganda: Government Decides Not to Remove Religion Classes from School Curricula

Feature:

On Thursday, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) presented its annual report, with the recommendation that Burma, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Pakistan, China, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam be listed as "Countries of Particular Concern" (countries which are especially restrictive of religious freedom).  A secondary "Watch List" (countries which restrict religious freedom but are somewhat less oppressive) included Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, and Nigeria.  The report can be read in full here.

On Friday, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life followed with a report specific to the situation in China, entitled "Religion in China on the Eve of the 2008 Beijing Olympics".

On Tuesday, China issued a statement which condemned the USCIRF report as "a malicious attack" and a "gross interference in China's internal affairs".

Apr 17-23

Apr 9-16

April 3-8

1. Egypt:  Votes to Criminalize Protests in Religious Venues
2. China:  Continues to Mistreat Falun Gong Adherents
3. Laos:  Persecution of Religious Minorities Increases
4. Malaysia:  Non-Muslims Concerned over Shari'a Proposal
5. China:  Eight Women Detained in after Sunday School Raid
6. Kazakhstan:  Muslims Face Difficulties in Obtaining Fair Trials, Sentences
 
Feature: 

Angela C. Wu, International Director of the Becket Fund, briefed Congressional Human Rights Caucus staff members, diplomats, and reporters Tuesday April 8 on the impact of March 2008 elections on rule of law and religious freedom in Malaysia.
 
Read report here.
 
Update: 

Istanbul's Second Penal Court acquitted Turkish publisher Erol Karaaslan of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility" for his involvement in the publication of a Turkish translation of Richard Dawkins' book "The God Delusion", Bianet reported on April 2nd. Karaaslan, who was accused of "denigrating religious values", faced up to four years in prison if convicted. Ali Emre Bukagili, who filed the original criminal complaint against Karaaslan, has said he would appeal the court's decision.

March 27-April 2

1. Malaysia:  Stateless Rohingya Refugees Mistreated
2. Saudi Arabia:  Proposal to Promote Respect for All Religions Rejected
3. Nagorno-Karabakh:  Conscientious Objector to Undergo "Re-education"
4. UN Human Rights Council Adopts Resolution on Religious Defamation
5. Kazakhstan:  Baptists, Hare Krishna Persecuted
6. Turkey:   Ban on AKP for "Anti-Secular Activities" Considered
7. Macedonia:  New Religion Law Likely to Discriminate
 
Feature:

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty has issued its Session in Review report for the 7th Session of the UN Human Rights Counsel, which took place on March 3-28 in Geneva.  Included in this issue of the report are analyses of a new religious defamation resolution, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on racism, the Durban Review Conference, and country specific mandates.  Read the report here.

March 19-26

1.    Belarus: Prisoners Denied Religious Rights
2.    Saudi Arabia: Government Modifies Textbooks, but not Quite Enough
3.    China: Torture of Tibetan Monks and Nuns
4.    Algeria: Churches Closed in Cabilia Province
5.    China: "Patriotic Education" in Tibet's Monasteries
6.    Russia: Methodist Congregation Dissolved for Running a Sunday School
7.    India: Sixth Indian State Approves Anti-Conversion Law


Features:

Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, submitted a summary of her visit in India to the United Nations Human Rights Council on March 20th.
New leader, same restrictions: Cuba's attitude towards religion remains unchanged, from the Associated Press.
 
Update: Arifur Rahman, a Bangladeshi cartoonist who was arrested over cartoons which "hurt the [religions] sentiments of the people", has been released on the orders of a court.

March 5-11

1.  India: Gujarat Drops Anti-Conversion Law
2.  Kyrgyzstan's Religious Communities Fear for Their Futures
3.  Pakistan: Elderly Ahmadi Accused of Blasphemy
4.  New Guidelines May Threaten Jehovah's Witnesses Charities in the UK
5.  Russia: Methodist Community Dissolved by Local Government

Feature:
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Asma Jahangir has released a current report on the state of religious freedom in the United Kingdom.
 
Update: Blasphemy laws in the United Kingdom, with coverage on views (from The Guardian) and the vote (from Jurist).  The back story can be found in an article in the Los Angeles Times (may require registration).

 Feb. 27-Mar. 5

1. Cuba: International Rights Treaties Signed "With Reservations"
2. Russia: Police Harass Methodist Community
3. Malaysia: Teacher Sentenced to Jail for Apostasy
4. China: Dozens in Detention Following Raid on Bible Study

Features: The Washington Times reported that certain Christian groups in Jordan are facing growing opposition from the government. Some foreign members affiliated with their communities were deported. AFP carried the response of the Jordanian government and the views of other Christian groups in the country.

How views on religion have changed among Iraq's younger generations, from International Herald Tribune.

Update: The Washington Post reported on the first day of classes in Turkey following a decision to end the ban on Islamic headscarves at public universities.

Feb. 20-27

1. Turkey: Property to be Returned to Religious Foundations
2. Algeria: French Priest Sentenced for Praying with Migrants
3. Iran: Government Proposes Death for Apostates
4. Kazakhstan Religious Communities Under Increased Scrutiny
5. Saudi Arabia: 57 Arrested by Religious Police
6. Sri Lanka: Pastor Murdered in Rising Tensions

Feature: Mauritius debates the place of religious symbols in schools, from l'express.

Update: Belarusian editor Alexander Sdvizhkov, who was sentenced to three years in jail for publishing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in 2006, has been released due to health problems. He was due to serve his time in a penal colony for "fanning religious hatred" Interfax reports.

Feb. 13-20

1. Kazakhstan: State Intensifies Checks on Religious Communities
2. China: Protestant Pastors Sentenced to Forced Labor
3. Malaysia: Courts Decide Citizens’ Religious Affiliation
4. Nigeria: Persecution of Christians Continues Despite Easing of Shari’a
5. Saudi Arabia: New Criticism for Saudi Religious Police
6. China: Vatican-China talks could cement diplomatic relations with papal visit

Features: A look back on Fidel Castro's relationship with organized religions, among them Cuba's Catholic and Jewish communities, courtesy of Catholic News Service and Jewish Daily Forward.

BBC video documenting the protest of Indian Sikhs against the French turban ban.

Feb. 6-13

1. Egypt: Convert Denied Legal Recognition of Religious Beliefs
2. Serbia: Religious Minorities Concerned over Dangers, Lack of Protection
3. Turkish Parliament Votes to Remove Headscarf Ban in Universities
4. India: Kerala State Hopes to Ban Worship in Schools
5. Moldova: Religious Communities Lack Registration, Foreign Workers
6. Vietnam: Mass in Central Highlands Forbidden, Attendees Risk Arrest

Features: The Times of London carried the full text of Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams' speech on civil and religious law in the United Kingdom.

In light of this week's ruling on headscarves in Turkey, Today's Zaman has summed up the headscarf policies of some EU member states with large Muslim populations.

Updates: Egypt's highest civil court has ruled that the twelve Copts who re-converted to Christianity from Islam may have their religion officially recognized. From AsiaNews.

The Indian state of Orissa is still facing hostilities between Christians and Hindus. The BBC gives a good overview of the situation.

Jan. 31-Feb. 5

1. Iran: Officials Find New Ways to Bar Bahá'ís From Universities
2. Kyrgyzstan: Decree May Outlaw Smaller Religious Communities
3. China: Protestants Beaten Following Raid on Private Home
4. Malaysia: Customs Officials Confiscate Bibles
5. Iran: Parliament Considers Death Penalty for Apostasy
6. Indonesia: Ahmadi Muslims Monitored Following Official Request

Features: The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, Asma Jahangir, speaks about difficulties facing religious communities and individuals in Israel and the Gaza Strip. From the UN News Centre.

Chinese authorities continue to restrict Tibetan Buddhism ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, banning monks from conducting prayers in temples or private homes, constructing new stupas or visiting existing ones, and engaging in various activities that are central to the religion. From Radio Free Asia.

Jan. 23-30
1. Egyptian Courts Grant Bahais Right to Obtain ID Papers  (Jan. 29)
2. Afghan MPs Support Death Penalty for Blasphemy Suspect (Jan. 30)
3. Iran Convicts 54 Bahais of Heresy (Jan. 29)
4. North Korea Frees Canadian Church Leader (Jan. 28)
5. Italian Senate Bill Seeks Protection of Muslim Headscarf (Jan. 25)
6. Soldiers deployed to secure foreign Christian missionaries in Philippines (Jan. 23)

Features: The Washington Times published a commentary by Angela Wu, International Director at the Becket Fund, on the current debate in the Netherlands about the right to wear a burqa in public.

Ms. Wu was also featured in the Wall Street Journal with an op-ed on the tension between Malaysia's civil and Islamic courts.

Updates: According to The Times, the Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken in favor of the repeal of Britain’s blasphemy law, but he has suggested that a replacement bill should protect religious people from “thoughtless or cruel” words.

The International Herald Tribune reports an effort by the governing party in Turkey – the Justice and Development Party – to remove the ban on wearing the traditional female Muslim headscarf in universities.
Jan. 8-Jan. 15
1. Serbia: Church Deemed "Not Orthodox”, Denied Legal Status (Jan. 8)
2. Indonesia Increasingly Blends Religious and Political Decisions (Jan. 8)
3. Uzbekistan: Jehovah's Witnesses Fined, Threatened with Death (Jan. 9)
4. England Moves to Abolish Blasphemy Law (Jan. 9)
5. Chechen President Demands Increase in Islamic Programming (Jan. 10)
6. Turkmenistan: Jehovah's Witness Sentenced for Conscientious Objection (Jan. 10)
7. Afghanistan: Journalism Student Held on Charges of Blasphemy (Jan. 12)

Features: Religious freedom in Israel: a report from Reuters.

Opinion: Is an Islamic orphanage better for children than a Christian mother? Watani discuss the problems facing Coptic children in Egypt.

Update: Nadia Eweida, the British Airways employee who was banned from wearing a cross to work, has lost a religious discrimination suit against the airline. The Telegraph reports on the decision.

 

2007

Dec. 29-Jan. 8
1. Hindu-Christian Violence in India Escalates (Dec. 29)
2. Tunisia to Permit Hijab in Theory, not Practice (Jan. 3)
3. Indonesia's Islamic Forum Asks for Ban on Ahmadi Community (Jan. 4)
4. Moldova Expels Romanian Orthodox Priests (Jan. 4)
5. Man Attempts to Claim Wife's Body from Malaysia's Islamic Council (Jan. 5)
6. Malaysia Denies Visas for Foreign Religious Workers (Jan. 8)

Feature:
The Cross and the Crescent: A profile of Turkey's Christians, from The Economist.
Dec. 19-26
1. Iran: Top Cleric Calls for Death of Women Found Without Headscarves (Dec. 19)
2. Tibet: Monks Detained for Refusing to Denounce Dalai Lama (Dec. 19)
3. Transdniester: Police Bar Protestant Church from Meeting (Dec. 20)
4. Azerbaijan: Police Bar Children from Attending Religious Services (Dec. 20)
5. Egypt: Bahá'ís Face Problems in Obtaining Birth Certificates, Identity Cards (Dec. 25)
6. Pakistan: Ahmadi Community Risks Charges of "Impersonating Muslims" (Dec. 26)

Feature:
The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution  on "combating defamation of religions" (see press release from Third Committee), though articles 8 and 10 of the resolution have raised concerns about the possible restrictions on freedom of expression they may create.
Dec. 12-19
1. China: 270 Arrested in Raid on Prayer Service (Dec. 11)
2. Kazakhstan: Jehovah's Witnesses Denied Legal Status (Dec. 12)
3. Egypt: 22 Detained for "Contempt for Religion" (Dec. 12)
4. France Upholds Turban Ban for Sikh Students (Dec. 13)
5. Turkmenistan: Government Prevents Muslims from Making Pilgrimage (Dec. 14)
6. Belarus: Baptists Fined for Unregistered Meeting (Dec. 17)
7. Malaysia: Detained for "Threatening Racial and Religious Harmony" (Dec. 18)

Feature:
How Pakistan's political system marginalizes religious minorities, from AsiaNews.

Dec. 5-12
1. Cuban Security Forces Raid Church (Dec. 5)
2. Crackdown in Tibet (Dec. 9)
3. Adventists in Azerbaijan Threatened by Police (Dec. 10)
4. Indonesia: Church Banned from Religious Activity (Dec. 10)
5. Germany: Hesse Upholds Headscarf Ban (Dec. 10)
6. Turkey: Alevi Students Interrogated, Beaten by Teacher (Dec. 11)

Feature:
The Times of London documents the story of the daughter of a British imam, forced into hiding after her conversion away from Islam sparked death threats.

Nov. 27-Dec. 6
1. Belgium: Ghent City Employees Banned from Wearing Religious Symbols (Nov. 27)
2. UN: Angolan Muslims, Minorities Threatened (Nov. 28)
3. Russia: Community's Request for Land Stalled Indefinitely (Nov. 29)
4. Myanmar: Junta Closes Another Monastery (Nov. 30)
5. Uzbekistan: Baptist Receives Two Years of Correctional Labor (Nov. 30)
6. Iran: Tehran Police Crack Down on Winter Clothing (Dec. 1)

Feature:
Turkey: what are the causes of intolerance and violence? From Forum 18.

Nov. 22-29
1. Turkmenistan: Unregistered Religious Communities Warned Not to Meet (Nov. 21)
2. Uzbekistan: Two More Deaths Linked to Torture in Prisons (Nov. 22)
3. Egypt: Woman Jailed for "Misrepresenting" Religion (Nov. 22)
4. China: Not All Beliefs Are Equal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Nov. 22)
5. Azerbaijan: Two More Baptists Threatened (Nov. 27)
6. Clergy Arrested in China Following Diocesan Meeting (Nov. 27)

Feature:
Bahá'í World News Service documents the United Nations General Assembly's recent attention to the human rights situation in Iran, including the "increasing discrimination and other human rights violations against persons belonging to religious, ethnic, linguistic or other minorities."
Nov. 14-21
1. Russia Continues to Dissolve Religious Organizations (Nov. 15)
2. Indonesia Targets Groups That Deviate from Mainstream Islam (Nov. 15)
3. Persecution Continues for Pakistan's Ahmadi Muslim Minority (Nov. 15)
4. Mexican Lawmakers To Introduce Measure Outlawing Private Religious Education (Nov. 16)
5. Azerbaijan: Two More Baptists Threatened (Nov. 16)

Features:
Becket Fund releases report on religious freedom in India for the Universal Periodic Review at U.N.

On November 15, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the lack of religious freedom in China, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey, Vietnam and Sudan. The text of the resolution can be read here.

AsiaNews reports that anti-Christian violence in India is at an all-time high, with about four cases a week reported since summer.

Updates:
Asma Jahangir, the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, was released on November 16 after nearly two weeks of house arrest. Reuters covers the story.

Karim Amer, the Egyptian blogger sentenced to four years in prison for "vilifying religions" (and defaming the president) has allegedly been tortured and placed in solitary confinement, as reported by the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information.

Nov. 7-Nov. 14
1. Wales: Sikh Student Suspended for Refusing to Remove Religious Symbol (Nov. 7)
2. Egyptian Police Detain Two More from Religious Rights Group (Nov. 11)
3. India: Police Refuse to Report Religiously Motivated Attack (Nov. 11)
4. Malaysia Uzbekistan: Baptist to be Tried for Teaching Religion "Without Permission" (Nov. 12)
5. Foreign Missionaries Forced Out of Eritrea (Nov. 13)
6. Confiscations of Religious Literature Continue in Transdniester (Nov. 13)

Features:
Prohibited Identities: State Interference with Religious Freedom. A report on religious freedom in Egypt, from Human Rights Watch.

The " Work Plan for Special Administration on Christian Activities in Duodao District" (Hubei Province, China) detailing how the local government should deal with religious activities, courtesy of China Aid.

The website for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing reminds those attending that they should bring only one Bible with them to China.  

Oct. 31-Nov. 7
1. Transdniester Proposes 10-year Waiting Period for Religious Registration (Oct. 31)
2. Pakistan: Police Reluctant to Register Crimes with Religious Elements (Nov. 2)
3. Kazakhstan: Ownership of Hare Krishna Farm Transferred to Private Individual (Nov. 2)
4. Malaysia Demolishes Hindu Temple (Nov. 2)
5. Egypt: Two Christians Acquitted of "Defaming Islam" (Nov. 4)
6. Changes Proposed for Uzbekistan's Current Religion Law (Nov. 5)
7. Pakistan: Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief Arrested (Nov. 7)
 

Features:
Paul Marshall details the worsening situation for Iran's Bahá'í community, in The Weekly Standard

Christians continue to flee Iraq, from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Oct. 23-30
1. Religious Books Banned at Algeria's Book Fair
2. Uganda: Religious Congregations to Register as NGOs
3. Bosnia-Herzegovina Establishes Framework for Catholic Activity
4. Non-Buddhist Burmese Face Difficulties in Obtaining Identity Cards
5. Across Russia, Churches and Mosques Threatened with Closures

Feature:
Asma Jahangir, the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, spoke about the dangers of using religion to justify criminal acts, and about the related dangers of overly broad legislation to prevent such activities.  From the UN News Service.
 
Oct. 15-24
1. Sweden's Education Ministry Re-writes Rules for Religious Schools (Oct. 15)
2. Iranian Students Sentenced for Publication of "Un-Islamic Images" (Oct. 17)
3. Jehovah's Witnesses Banned in Tajikistan (Oct. 18)
4. Pakistan: Students at Catholic-Run School Forced to Veil (Oct. 23)
5. Pakistan: Dargai Students Told to Wear Burqa or Risk Death (Oct. 23)
6. Uzbekistan Continues to Censor Religious Literature (Oct. 24)

Feature:
How religious freedom is "shrinking" in India, from Ecumenical News International

Update: Agence France-Presse reports that the upper Shari'a court of Tudun Wada, Nigeria, has lifted the ban on Shehu Sani's play, Phantom Crescent, after ruling that the court lacked jurisdiction. Sani's play was banned from being performed or distributed following a complaint lodged by the Concerned Shari'a Forum of Zaria, Nigeria.
Oct. 6-15
1. Egyptian Shiites Accused of "Causing Contempt" for Islam
2. Serbia: Attacks on Religious Minorities Less Frequent, More Violent
3. Chinese Priests Forced to Attend Mandatory "Political Sessions"
4. Tajikistan Demolishes Mosques; Fears for Synagogues, Churches Rise      
5. Belarus: Church Warned to Stop "Illegal Religious Activity"
6. Iranian Christians Deemed Apostates, Flogged

Features:
AsiaNews speaks with Nazrul Husein, the secretary general of the Islamic Federation of Nepal, about the difficulties of being Muslim in Nepal.

Today's Zaman reports that, following a decision from the European Court of Human Rights, religion classes will no longer be compulsory in Turkish elementary and secondary schools.

Update:  The Daily Trust reports that on October 9, the Upper Shari'a Court of Tudun Wada, in Nigeria's Kaduna State, upheld a restraining order against civil rights activist Malam Shehu Sani, prohibiting him from circulating his book "The Phantom Crescent" which presents a critical look at Shari'a law.
Oct. 2-9
1. Azerbaijan: Court Fails to Overturn Pastor's Prison Sentence
2. Iraq: Extremists Beat, Murder "un-Islamic" Women
3. Uzbekistan: Protestants Detained, Threatened by Police
4. India: Chhattisgarh's Anti-Conversion Law Reviewed by Attorney General
5. Nigeria: Playwright's Shari'a Satire Banned
6. Burmese Junta Shuts Buddhist Seminaries, Orders Novices to Return Home
7. China: Missing Protestants Re-Appear in Labor Camps

Features
An inside look at Nigeria's Shari'a courts, from the BBC

The Patriarch of the Catholic Coptic Church on why Egypt's legal system is difficult for Christians, courtesy of the Catholic Information Service for Africa

Sep. 27-Oct. 1
1. Morality Squads Patrol the West Bank during Ramadan
2. Belarus Says No Change to Religion Law
3. Burmese Authorities Desecrate Temples, Monasteries in Retaliation
4. UK's Religious Hatred Law Protecting Muslims and Christians Comes into Force
5. Belarus Hopes for Decrease in Number of Foreign Religious Workers

Features
Zenit details the difficulties that non-Muslims encounter within Egypt's legal system.
Sep. 18-26
1. Bangladesh: Cartoonist Arrested for "Hurting Religious Sentiments"
2. Turkish Officials Call for an End to Headscarf Ban
3. Uzbekistan: Details of Ramadan Restrictions Emerge
4. Kosovo: Three Girls Suspended for Wearing Islamic Headscarf
5. Russia: Schools in Western Region Enforce Orthodox-Only Religion Classes
6. Armenia: 73 Jehovah's Witnesses in Prison; 9 Awaiting Trial

Features
Michael Nazir-Ali explains the dangers facing British Muslims who convert away from Islam, from ADN Kronos International, while The Wall Street Journal outlines the additional problems that Dalits, 'Untouchables', in India face when they convert to Christianity.  

Sep. 13-20
1. Fifth Jehovah's Witness Sentenced in Turkmenistan (Sep. 13)
2. North Korean Army Seeks to Eradicate the "Cancer" of Religion (Sep. 13)
3. Belarus: Baptist Fined for Organizing Church Activities (Sep. 14)
4. Malaysian State Set to Monitor Muslims During Ramadan (Sep. 16)
5. Schoolchildren in Indonesia Forced to Wear Islamic Dress (Sep. 17)
6. Restrictions on Religious Practice Increase in Uzbekistan (Sep. 17

Features:
The US State Department's office of International Religious Freedom releases its 2007 report, citing major concerns about Iraq and Afghanistan. The full report can be read on the State Department's website.

China Aid Association reports that Cai Zhuohua, a Chinese house church pastor, has been released from jail after serving a three-year sentence for printing and distributing Bibles and other religious materials. While in prison, Cai spent 10 to 12 hours a day making sports equipment that will be used in the 2008 Olympics.
 

September 4-12
1. United Methodist Church Now a Legal Entity in Albania
2. Fourth Eritrean Tortured and Killed for Religious Beliefs
3. India: Anti-Conversion Bill Fails in Chhattisgarh State
4. Chechnya: Female Civil Servants Forced to Wear Islamic Head Scarf
5. Kazakhstan: Presbyterian Church Investigated for "Treason"
6. India: Judge Rules that Bhagavad Gita Should Be National Religious Doctrine

Feature:
Ex-Muslims in Europe hope to offer adequate support for others who choose to renounce their religion, from the Associated Press

August 27 - September 4
1. Serbia: No Custody for Jehovah's Witnesses
2. Belgium: City Employees May Substitute Bandana for Banned Headscarf
3. Tibetan Man Arrested Amid Calls for Greater Religious Freedom in China
4. Uzbekistan: Police Hunt Pentecostal Christian for "Illegal Religious Activity"
5. Turkmenistan Continues to Try Conscientious Objectors
6. Algeria: Five Christians Sentenced for Proselytizing

Features:  China's ban on reincarnate lamas entered into force on September 1, as covered by Radio Free Asia, prompting international concern, as described by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

August 21-28
1. Canada: Mennonite School, Curriculum Questioned by Authorities
2. China: Bishop Arrested for Distributing Pope's Letter
3. Eritrea Demands Control of Church-Run Social Services
4. Iranian Students Charged with Insulting Sacred Values
5. Uzbekistan: Raids on Unregistered Baptist Community
6. Iran: More Evidence for Discrimination Against Bahá'ís
7. Austrian Politician Proposes Ban on Mosques, Minarets
8. Kazakhstan: Raids on Grace Presbyterian Churches

Features: Turkmenistan improves on issues of religious freedom, but concerns still remain, from Reuters

August 14-21
1. Germany: North Rhine-Westphalia Upholds Headscarf Ban
2. Turkmenistan: Another Jehovah's Witness Sentenced
3. India: Muslim Clerics Call for Death of Author
4. Iraq: Mosul's Christians Must Flee or Submit
5. Uzbekistan: Sole Legal Jehovah's Witness Community Threatened
6. Pakistan: Kidnappings, Forced Conversions on the Rise

Features:
July 2007 report on instances of persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Pakistan

How India's minority Muslims cope with religious discrimination, from the Toronto Star

A profile of the Yazidis, from the Washington Times

August 7-14
1. Morocco Confiscates Publication Deemed "Offensive" to King and Islam
2. Dutch MP Proposes Banning the Koran
3. Saudi Arabia: Ban on Non-Islamic Religious Literature and Symbols Enforced
4. Egyptian Convert Receives Death Threats After Case is Publicized
5. Azerbaijan: Baptist Pastor Sentenced to Two Years in Prison
6. Ireland's National Police Prohibits Sikh Officers from Wearing Turbans
7. Iran: Christian Beaten, Tortured by Police for Suspected Conversion

Features:
The continuing discussion on apostasy and the right to change one's religion in Egypt, by Nashwa Abdel-Tawab for Al-Ahram

Repression of Freedom of Religion in Tibet Continues Unabated, from Freedom House

July 31 - August 7
1. Iran: Bahá'í Students Now Barred from Vocational, Technical Schools (July 31)
2. India: Gujarat State to Enforce Anti-Conversion Law (Aug. 2)
3. Chinese Government Tightens Control Over Clergy Loyal to the Vatican (Aug. 2)
4. Tajikistan Forbids Hijab at University Entrance Exams (Aug. 3)
5. China Bans Reincarnation of Tibetan Lamas (Aug. 4)
6. Iran: Three Executed as "Enemies of Allah" (Aug. 6)
7. Saudi Religious Police Arrest Man For Act of Kindness (Aug. 6)

Feature:
An in-depth look at the bill that would limit the activities of religious minorities, currently under consideration in Tajikistan, from Radio Free Europe

July 26- August 1
1. Egypt's Grand Mufti Clarifies His Views on Apostasy (July 26)
2. Conscientious Objector to Stand Trial in Turkmenistan (July 26)
3. Malaysia Gives Greater Jurisdiction to Civil Courts (July 26)
4. Kazakh Authorities Seize House of Baptist Family (July 26)
5. Orthodox Church Given Prominent Status in New Moldovan Law (July 27)
6. China Detains Three Priests not Sanctioned by Government (July 29)


Features:
The plight of Iraq's religious minorities, from The Washington Times

Persecution of Pakistan's Ahmadi community during the month of June, from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

July 18-25
1. Police Continue to Raid House Churches in China (July 19)
2. Church of England Sued for Discrimination (July 19)
3. Turkmenistan: Conscientious Objector Sentenced (July 20)
4. Kazakh Police Threaten to Seize Baptist Home (July 23)
5. Egypt's Grand Mufti Retracts Support for Religious Freedom (July 24)
6. India: New Law Restricts non-Hindu Religious Activity (July 25)

Features:
Malaysia threatens to impose serious restrictions on free speech, warning bloggers that they could face jail without trial for writing "recklessly" about religion, from the International Herald Tribune

On Tuesday, July 17, Becket Fund International Director Angela C. Wu testified before the Congressional Human Rights Caucus Task Force for International Religious Freedom and the India Caucus.

Her testimony was on the state of human rights and religious freedom in Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and the implications these conditions have on U.S. foreign policy.

July 10-17
1. Russia: Harassment of Koran Study Group Continues
2. Kyrgyzstan Plans to for Tighter Control of Religious Groups
3. Tajikistan Upholds Ban on Hijabs in Universities
4. Azerbaijan: Baptist Pastor Set for July 20 Trial
5. Cambodia Bans Proselytism, Distribution of Religious Literature

Features"
"Turkey: Dangerous consequences of intolerance of religious minorities"by Dr. Otmar Oehring, Head of the Human Rights Office of Missio

Law of Apostasy and Freedom of Religion in Malaysia, from The Asian Journal of Comparative Law

July 2-9
1. Egypt’s High Court Accepts Appeal of Copts (Jul. 2)
2. Uzbekistan Detains Three Found in Possession of Religious Literature (Jul. 4)
3. Two Conscientious Objectors Imprisoned in Turkmenistan (Jul. 4)
4. Belarus Detains Petitioners Hoping to Change Religion Law (Jul. 5)
5. Malaysia: Hindu Woman Released from Religious Detention Center (Jul. 6)
6. Officials Arrest Pastors in Central and Eastern China (Jul. 9)

Features:
A brief look at the state of religious freedom across the Middle East and Asia, from Asia News
The text of Pakistan’s apostasy bill, courtesy of ThePersecution.org
 

June 26 - July 3
1. Another Religiously-Motivated Deportation in Uzbekistan
2. Chinese Authorities Confiscate Muslim Passports Before Hajj
3. Malaysian State Sets Harsher Punishments for Proselytism
4. Moldovan President Rejects More Liberal Religious Law
5. Thailand Rejects Plans for State Religion
6. Proposed Religious Law Creates Worry in Tajikistan

Features:

Turkey's Supreme Court of Appeals rules that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is not "ecumenical", from Today's Zaman
Treatment of Prisoners of Conscience in Uzbekistan, from Forum 18

June 19-26
1. Jewish School Stripped of License by Swedish Authorities (Jun. 19)
2. Church in Uzbekistan Closes Following Government Pressure (Jun. 19)
3. Belarusian Religious Law in Violation of Constitution (Jun. 20)
4. UK Support Group for Ex-Muslims Founded (Jun. 21)
5. Azerbaijani Pastor Imprisoned on False Charges (Jun. 22)
6. British Girl Forbidden from Wearing Chastity Ring at School (Jun. 23)
7. Alevis Ask for Recognition from Turkey (Jun. 26)

Features:
A five-year legal battle between Catch the Fire Ministries and the Islamic Council of Victoria, Australia, concluded on June 22 with a settlement by Pastors Daniel Scott and Daniel Nalliah, after the Islamic Council agreed that citizens should be allowed to criticize religious beliefs within the limits of the law. The Council had sued the two pastors under Victoria's Religious Hatred law for religious vilification, following a seminar conducted by Catch the Fire Ministries in 2002. (Christian Today - Australia)
For background on the trial, click here.

How a revival of state-sponsored Confucianism could affect religious freedom in China, from Forum 18

Saudi Arabia's Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, from The Economist

June 8-19
1. Indonesia: Sunday School Teachers Freed From Jail (Jun. 8)
2. Complaint on Behalf of French Sikh Filed at ECHR (Jun. 11)
3. Uzbekistan: Jehovah's Witness Condemned to Labor Camp (Jun. 13)
4. Tibet: Chinese Authorities Demolish Buddhist Statue (Jun. 14)
5. Kazakhstan: 12 Hare Krishna Homes Demolished (Jun. 15)
6. Italy: The Da Vinci Code Investigated for "Obscenity" (Jun. 18)
7. Pakistan: Magazine Condemned as Blasphemous, Editor Threatened (Jun. 19)

Feature:
Australia debates the acceptability of the Sikh kirpan in schools, from World Sikh News. For an explanation of the significance of the kirpan, as well as the turban please visit United Sikhs.

June 5-12
1. German Court Upholds Headscarf Ban for Teachers (Jun. 5)
2. Kazakhstan's Hare Krishna Ordered to Demolish Temple (Jun. 6)
3. Malaysia Bans Books Deemed Offensive to Islam (Jun. 6)
4. Kazakhstan Fines Jehovah's Witnesses for Religious Activities (Jun. 7)
5. New Restrictions for Religious Sites in Southeast Indian State (Jun. 8)
6. Iran Intends to Identify and Stop "Heretics" (Jun. 12)

Feature:
The 5th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council opened on June 11, with opening statements from high-ranking officials and member states. Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, expressed continued concern for defamation of religions, while Bangladesh emphasized the need for a balance between "freedom of expression and freedom of religion".

May 30 - June 5
1. Tibet: Abbot Loyal to the Dalai Lama Forced to Resign (May 30)
2. Zimbabwe: Pro-Mugabe Militia Targets Catholic Priests Protesting Mugabe Rule (May 31)
3. Man Sentenced to Death Under Pakistan's Blasphemy Laws (May 31)
4. Thailand Rejects Proposals for State Religion (June 4)
5. Saudi Arabia: Non-Muslims Must Practice in Secret (June 5)
6. Belarusian Pastor Imprisoned for Religious Activity (June 5)

Features:
English translations of the majority ruling and minority dissent in Lina Joy's case. For a background of the case, please go here.

Pakistan's blasphemy laws serve only to victimize minorities: from Daily India

How greater respect for the rule of law aids religious freedom in China, by Nicholas Kristof

May 22-29
1. Christian Child Denied Birth Certificate in Azerbaijan (May 22)
2. Belarusian Pastor Fined for Religious Activity (May 28)
3. Pakistan Responds to Criticism of Blasphemy Laws (May 28)
4. Chinese Government Claims All Tibetan Religious Artifacts (May 29)

Features:
In a 2-1 decision, the Federal Court of Malaysia refused to recognize the conversion of Lina Joy, a Malaysian woman, from Islam to Christianity, saying she was not free to change religions of her own accord and that the civil courts of the land had no jurisdiction over her case. "She cannot at her own whim simply enter or leave her religion," stated Malaysia's chief justice Ahmad Fairuz Abdul Halim.

Becket Fund International Director Angela C. Wu offered her analysis of the ruling: "This decision violates international law and stands in wrongheaded defiance of the universal human right to religious freedom," said Angela Wu, International Director for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, who attended a hearing for Ms. Joy and has testified before the United States Congress on anti-conversion laws. "International law and the Malaysian Constitution guarantee the right to choose your own religious beliefs and change those beliefs according to your conscience. Today the Federal Court made it clear that if the state says you are a Muslim, those rights don't apply to you. Unfortunately for Lina Joy, a universal human right has been trumped by the state's insistence that she bow to sharia law."

For a background of Lina Joy's case, please see our website.

Please see the International Herald Tribune for coverage of the decision.

What a state religion would mean for Thailand, from the International Herald Tribune

Update:

A total of 14,635 arrests since the start of Iran's moralization campaign, from AKI

May 15-22
1. Moldova's New Religious Law Passes to Final Reading Before Promulgation (May 16)
2. Pakistani Christians Threatened in North West Frontier Province (May 16)
3. Religious Groups Petition to Change Country's Religion Law (May 16)
4. Belarus Attempts to Deport More for "Illegal Religious Activity" (May 18)
5. China Restricts Tibetan Children from Religious Activity During Holy Month (May 19)
6. Uzbek Regional Government Tries to Exert Further Control over Religions (May 21)

Features:
Religious Freedom in North Korea? An interview with missionaries and defectors, from Yonhap News

Anti-Conversion update from India:
Cases against two college administrators filed under Gujarat's anti-conversion law, from Indlaw.com.
Proposed plans for an anti-conversion law in an eighth Indian state, Uttarakhand, from Religious Intelligence.

May 8-15
1. Apostasy Bill Considered in Pakistan (May 9)
2. Uzbek Man Sentenced for "Teaching Religion" (May 10)
3. Iranians Punished for Failure to Wear Islamic Dress (May 13)
4. Slovakia Officially Recognizes Bahá'í Faith (May 13)
5. Malaysian Muslim Detained for Marriage to Hindu (May 14)
6. Student Arrested in India for Artwork Deemed Offensive to Religion (May 15)

Features:
Continuing difficulties for Pakistan's Ahmadi Muslim community, by Human Rights Watch

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom announces its recommendations for countries which severely violate religious freedom to the Secretary of State (view press release), while President Bush appoints three new members to the Commission (White House press release).

April 24 - May 1
1. Iran: Violators of Religious Dress Code May Risk Banishment (Apr. 24)
2. Thirty-Four Christians Arrested in Xinjiang, China (Apr. 24)
3. Egypt: Coptic Converts Refused New Identity Documents (Apr. 24)
4. Serbia: Ongoing Registration Problems for Religious Communities (Apr. 26)
5. Thailand May Consider Buddhism as National Religion (Apr. 27)

Features:
The April 16 torture and murder of three workers at the Christian publishing house Zirve in Malatya, Turkey, provoked the condemnation of foreign leaders and the outrage of Turkish civilians, but received mixed reactions from the Turkish government. While Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu described the attacks as "savagery", the director general of the Ministry of Justice Laws, Niyazi Güney, described missionaries as "more dangerous than a terror organization" in the Turkish daily Milliyet (Turkish only).

The attack has raised questions about the Turkish government's ability to protect its religious minorities, as the publishing house had received numerous threats prior to the attack. Though the population of Turkey is 99% Muslim, the US Department of State reports that the remaining one percent comprises a number of religious communities, including Bahá'ís, Orthodox Christians, Jews, Protestants and Catholics.

The Turkish Daily News assesses the current situation for religious minorities and possible political implications of the attacks.

A 2007 survey of religious freedom in Russia, courtesy of Forum 18.

April 18-24
1. Malaysia: Detention Extended for "Uncooperative" ex-Muslim (Apr. 18) 2. Vietnam: Two Religious Freedom Advocates Arrested (Apr. 18) 3. EU: Sweden Rejects New Divorce Proposal, Citing Fear of Shari'a (Apr. 19) 4. Uzbekistan: Protestant Facing Trial for "Teaching Religion Illegally" (Apr. 20) 5. Italy Calls on Muslim Communities to Agree on Values (Apr. 24)

April 10-17
1. UK Hindus May Win Right to Cremate Their Dead (Apr. 13)
2. Mass Conversion After Dalits Barred from Temple in India (Apr. 15)
3. Kenya Wants Increased State Control of Churches (Apr. 16)
4. UK Amends EU Religious Hatred Law (Apr. 17)
5. New Russian Law Requires Less of Religious Communities (Apr. 17)

Features:
The Difficulty of Converting to Judaism in Israel, by Evan R. Goldstein

Chinese Catholics, The Holy See and Religious Freedom by Forum 18

April 3-10
1. Libyan Leader Declares Islam the Only Religion (Apr. 3)
2. Turkey Headscarf case wins at ECHR (Apr. 5)
3. Bahá'í Schoolchildren in Iran Suffer Increased Harassment, Violence (Apr. 5)
4. Malaysia: Baby Removed from Hindu Mother by Religious Authorities (Apr. 6)
5. Websites with Religious Content Blocked by Uzbek Secret Police (Apr. 10)

Feature: Report from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: Persecution of Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan during 2006

Correction: United Sikhs, in a letter to the Times of India, corrected the newspaper's report that the cases of French Sikh schoolboys had been dismissed by the French apex court. Rather, the appeal is waiting to be heard. The entire letter, from the Director of United Sikhs' legal team, may be read here.

March 28 - April 3
1. Sikh Petition Fails in France (Mar. 28)
2. Moscow Salvation Army Still Lacks Registration (Mar. 29)
3. Church Registration Becomes More Difficult in Slovakia (Mar. 29)
4. Kazakh Government Continues to Malign Minority Religions (Apr. 3)

Updates:
Following the close of the 4th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, the Independent Expert on minority issues, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance and others issued a statement condemning the current treatment of Burma's Muslim minority.

Features:
New religious trends in Mongolia, courtesy of Radio Free Asia.
First- and second-class religions in Malaysia, courtesy of The Associated Press.
Problems facing European Sikhs, courtesy of Sikh Sangat News.

March 20-27
1. Go-Ahead for Destruction of Kazakhstan's Hare Krishna Community (Mar. 20)
2. Defying Chinese Authority, Tibetans Gather to Pray (Mar. 21)
3. Special Committee in Lao Formed to "Eliminate Christianity" (Mar. 21)
4. Bahá'í Community Receives Official Recognition in Vietnam (Mar. 22)
5. Niqab Barred from Polling Places in Quebec (Mar. 23)
6. Pastors Arrested for Hurting Religious Sentiment in India (Mar. 25)
Featured Articles:
Select statements of the Becket Fund at the 4th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, which is convening its third and final week

March 13-19
1. Algeria Considers Barring Imams from Political Life (Mar. 14)
2. Shas Proposes Stricter Anti-Conversion Law for Israel (Mar. 14)
3. Russian Officials Take Notice of Catholic, Orthodox Properties (Mar. 14)(Feb. 22)
4. Egypt Suspends Nominations of Female Spiritual Leaders (Mar. 15)
5. Turkey's Law of Foundations Remains Unchanged (Mar. 15)
Featured Articles:
The Becket Fund submitted a written statement to the 4th session of the UN Human Rights Council, on the state of religious liberty in Burma.

Non-Muslim Iraqi communities in Baghdad and Mosul report being forced to pay the jizyah tax, a poll tax required of non-Muslims in Muslim areas in exchange for autonomy, protection and freedom to practice their own religions.

Update: The Associated Press reports that the trial for Rafiq Tagi and Samir Huseinov, journalist and editor for the Azerbaijani newspaper Senet, began on March 19 following a delay of over two months. Tagi and Huseinov were accused of inciting religious hatred after Senet published a critical assessment of Islam last November.

March 5-13
1. Trial of Journalists in Azerbaijan Delayed a Second Time (Mar. 5)
2. Evidence Confirms Iranian University Expelled Bahá'í Due to Religion (Mar. 7)
3. House Church Raided in Henan Province, China (Mar. 7)(Feb. 22)
4. ECHR Fines Moldovan Government for Violations of Religious Freedom (Mar. 8)
5. Pastor Sentenced to Four Years' Exile in Uzbekistan (Mar. 9)
6. Unregistered Religious Activity "Alone or With Others" Suspended in Kazakhstan (Mar. 13)
Featured Articles:
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - US State Department
Attitudes towards Islamic headwear in Central Asian countries - Radio Free Europe

February 20-27
1. Himachal Pradesh, India Adopts Anti-Conversion Law (Feb. 21)
2. Kazakhstan Ponders New, More Restrictive Religion Law (Feb. 21)
3. Egypt Imprisons Blogger for "Inciting Hatred" of Islam (Feb. 22)
4. British Schoolgirl Banned from Wearing Niqab to School (Feb. 22)
5. Uzbekistan: Two Protestants Charged with Illegal Religious Activity (Feb. 22)
6. Three Priests Arrested in Vietnam (Feb. 22)

February 12-20
1. Evangelicals in Mexico Protest Treatment by Authorities (Feb. 9)
2. Pastor Arrested in Uzbekistan (Feb. 14)
3. Azerbaijan to Consider New Religion Law (Feb. 14)
4. Uzbekistan Closes Another Jehovah's Witness Community (Feb. 15)
5. Arrests of Muslims, Christians Continue in Eritrea (Feb. 16)
6. Malaysian Religious Police to Hire Spies (Feb. 20)

Features:
Is Communism compatible with religion? Analysis from Forum 18
The Sikh Turban: Post- 9/11 Challenges to this Article of Faith by Dawinder S. Sidhu and Neha Singh Gohil
Jewish Conversions in Israel by Orly Halpern

February 5-12
1. New Zealand Rejects Asylum for Iranian Convert (Feb. 6)
2. Israel: Haifa Opens Municipal Facilities for Religious Use (Feb. 6)
3. House Church Raided in Jiangsu, China (Feb. 8)
4. Uganda to Regulate Religious Institutions (Feb. 8)
5. Uzbekistan: Pentecostal Pastor to Face Trial (Feb. 8)
6. Russia: Calls for Demolitions of Churches and Mosques (Feb. 8)
7. Quebec: Town Dress Code Forbids Wearing of Kirpan (Feb. 11)
8. Thailand: Buddhism as the State Religion? (Feb. 12)

January 29 - February 5
1. Pakistan's Education Ministry To Consider Role of Religion in School Reforms (Jan. 29)
2. Muslim School Forced Out of Residential Neighborhood in South Africa (Jan. 30)
3. Further Destruction of Kazakhstan's Only Hare Krishna Community (Jan. 31)
4. Christians Protest India's Policy on Visa for Foreign Religious Workers (Feb. 1)
5. Ahmadis Charged with "Spreading Religious Hatred" in Pakistan (Feb. 2)
6. Man Accidentally Raised as Muslim in Malaysia Tries to Convert to Buddhism (Feb. 3)
7. Saudi Religious Police Arrest 433 Foreigners, Jail 20 (Feb. 4)

Feature: Vietnamese Government Report on Religious Policy in Vietnam
 

January 23-29
1. Religious Arrests Continue in Eritrea
2. Continuing Persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Saudi Arabia
3. Government in Chhattisgarh, India Attempts to Reclaim Land from Churches
4. Legal Status Evades Minority Religious Communities in Moldova
5. Religious Leaders in Zimbabwe Denied Freedom of Assembly
6. Germany Abandons Plans to Outlaw Swastika Across the European Union
Featured Articles: 
1.  Christian Solidarity Worldwide's latest report on the persecution of Christians in Burma
2.  Egypt's continuing struggle with the veil, from New York Times

January 15-22
1. Constitutional Court Upholds Bavarian Headscarf Ban
2. Veiled Women Forbidden from Working as Religious Counselors in Egypt
3. Non-Muslims in Malaysia not Required to Testify In Shari'a Courts
4. Pakistani Man Accused of Blasphemy Released on Bail in Historic Decision
5. Egyptian Blogger on Trial for Criticizing Religion
6. Conflict in Somalia Results in Difficulties for Kenya's Muslims

January 3-8
1. Ugandan Police Attempt to Stop "Illegal" Prayer Service (Jan. 3)
2. Malaysian Man Wins Approval to Challenge Malaysia's Islamic Courts (Jan. 3)
3. Romania Approves Controversial Religion Law (Jan. 3)
4. Iranian Singer Sentenced for "Insulting Islam" (Jan. 4)
5. Evangelical Churches in Iran Operate Only with the Blessing of the Government (Jan. 4)
6. Vietnam's Montagnard Community Faces Continued Persecution (Jan. 5)
7. Indian Government Approves Shari'a Councils (Jan. 5)
8. Bible Study Raided in Hebei Province, China (Jan. 8)

December 26 - January 2
1. Kenyan Government Requests Information on Faithful from Imams, Bishops (Dec. 26)
2. Police Raid Jehovah's Witness Convention in Azerbaijan (Dec. 27)
3. House Church Leader in China Arrested for the Second Time in Three Months (Dec. 28)
4. Indian State of Himachal Pradesh Passes Anti-Conversion Legislation (Dec. 30)
5. Raid on House Church in Inner Mongolia, China (Jan. 2)

2006

December 19-26
1. Uzbek Television Airs Derogatory Special on Minority Religions (Dec. 19)
2. Two Muslims Jailed in Uzbekistan After Organizing Koran Competition for Children (Dec. 20)
3. Uzbekistan's Last Jehovah's Witness Community Threatened with Closure (Dec. 20)
4. Newspaper Banned in Morocco for "Damaging Islam" (Dec. 21)
5. Religious Police in Indonesia Arrest 15 for Violating Shari'a Law (Dec. 22)
6. Interreligious Marriage Prohibited in Madhya Pradesh (Dec. 24)

December 12-18
1. Foreigner Deported from Kazakhstan for Taking Part in Bible Study (Dec. 12)
2. Romania to Restrict Religious Symbols in Schools (Dec. 12)
3. Eritrean Government Exerts Tighter Controls on Orthodox Church (Dec. 14)
4. Pakistan's Supreme Court Blocks Islamic Morality Bill (Dec. 15)
5. Christians to Stand Trial in China for Protesting Demolition of Churches (Dec. 15)
6. Bahais Denied Recognition as an Official Religion in Egypt (Dec. 17)
7. Iranian Intelligence Arrests 14 Christian Converts (Dec. 18)

December 5-11
1. Opposition Leader Asks for Guarantees of Religious Freedom in Malaysia (Dec. 5)
2. Editor of Yemeni Newspaper Convicted of Insulting Islam (Dec. 6)
3. Dispute over Religious Burials in Malaysia (Dec. 6)
4. Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts Mandates Islamic Prayer in Bulo Burto (Dec. 6)
5. Uzbek Government Restricts Number of Hajj Pilgrims (Dec. 7)
6. Continued Trouble for Kazakhstan's Only Hare Krishna Community (Dec. 8)
7. Statue of Pope John Paul II Creates Controversy in France (Dec. 10)

November 27 - December 4
1. Police Burn Bibles, Hymn Books in Uzbekistan (Nov. 27)
2. Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts Prepares for International Holy War (Nov. 28)
3. Serbian Government Threatens to Strip Religious Organizations of Legal Status (Nov. 28)
4. German Tourist Jailed in Morocco for Distributing Information on Christianity (Nov. 29)
5. Spanish Government to Debate the Wearing of the Hijab in Public (Nov. 29)
6. House Church in Yangjianong, China, Faces Destruction (Nov. 30)
7. Police in India Fail to Take Action Against Inter-religious Violence (Nov. 30)
8. Islamists Disembowel Afghan Man as Punishment for Teaching Girls (Nov. 30)
9. Hindu Temple Razed in Malaysia (Dec. 1)
10. Trial Date Set for Imprisoned Cuban Pastor (Dec. 4)

November 20-26
1. Indonesian Government Elects to Continue Listing Religion on ID Cards (Nov. 20)
2. Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts Arrests 100 Moviegoers (Nov. 21)
3. Puntland, Under Pressure, Adopts Shari'a (Nov. 21)
4. Ahmadi Muslims in Bulgaria Risk Losing Legal Status as a Community (Nov. 22)
5. Turkish Converts on Trial for Insulting Turkishness, Inciting Hatred (Nov. 23)
6. Kazakh Authorities Begin Destruction of Hare Krishna Commune (Nov. 24)
7. Yemeni Editor Jailed for Insulting the Prophet (Nov. 25)
8. Pakistan Senate Approves Changes to Rape Laws (Nov. 26)

November 10-19
1. Egypt Defines Wearing the Niqab as a Human Right (Nov. 10)
2. Non-Muslims Continue to be Tried in Nigeria’s Shari'a Courts (Nov. 13)
3. Vietnam Removed from List of Worst Religious Freedom Violators (Nov. 14)
4. Journalists Arrested for ‘Insulting the Prophet’ in Azerbaijan (Nov. 14)
5. Kazakhstan Arrests, Fines Islamic Missionaries (Nov. 14)
6. Woman Arrested for ‘Illegal Evangelism’ in Xinjiang, China (Nov. 15)
7. Islamist Coalition Progresses Towards the Creation of Morality Police in Pakistan (Nov. 15)
8. Pakistan Seeks to Try Rape Cases Under Civil, not Islamic, Penal Code (Nov. 16)
9. Amendment for Compulsory Religious Education Introduced in Russian Duma (Nov. 17)
10. Kazakhstan’s Hare Krishna Risk Property Confiscation (Nov. 17)
11. Dutch Cabinet Supports Proposed Ban on Burqa (Nov. 17)
12. Disciplinary Hearings Set for Sikh Students in France (Nov. 18)
13. South Australia Abandons Proposed Religious-Based Discrimination Law (Nov. 19)

October 28 - November 3
1. Belarusian officials may rethink position on New Life Church
2. Christian converts charged with insulting Turkishness
3. Muslims in Uzbekistan note tighter government control of their religious activities
4. House church forcibly demolished in Jilin Province
5. Turkish archaeologist charged with insulting religion based on her work
6. MP's election declared invalid for "manipulation of religious passions"
7. 150 New Arrests of Christians in Eritrea

October 21-28
1. ECHR Upholds Germany’s Ban on Homeschooling
2. UK Announces Plan for Government to Regulate Religious Schools
3. Hoax Claiming Attack on Muslims Spurs Violence in Poso
4. Religious Minorities in Georgia Hindered by Construction Bans
5. 35 Arrested in Chinese House Church Raid
6. Danish Court Rejects Cartoon Lawsuit
7. Convert Charged with “Insulting Religious Beliefs”
8. Iran Schools Become More Islamicized

October 14-21
1. British Airlines Employee Suspended for Refusal to Remove Cross Necklace
2. ECHR Rules in Support of Marmara University’s Headscarf Ban
3. Pakistani Man Deemed “Mentally Unfit” to Stand Trial for Blasphemy
4. Marriage Commissioner in Manitoba Appeals Decision
5. Gabriele Torsello’s Kidnappers No Longer Ask for Abdul Rahman
6. Chinese Pastor Jailed for Printing and Distributing Religious Materials
7. Christian Schoolgirl Beaten for Refusing to Remove Cross Necklace
8. Teacher Awarded Victimization Settlement After Refusing to Remove Niqab

October 7-14
1. Uzbekistan Shuts Down Charities Suspected of “Missionary Activity”
2. Rally Against Anti-Conversion Law Organized in India
3. Switzerland’s Religious Minorities Ask for Private Cemeteries
4. Somalia’s Islamic Courts Attempt to Restrict Freedom of the Press
5. Uzbekistan Sentences Imam to 17 Years in Prison
6. Orthodox Priest Kidnapped and Decapitated in Mosul
7. Canadian Muslim Congress Asks for Protection from Islamic Extremists

September 22 - October 6
1. Christian Teen Accused of Blasphemy
2. Christian Families Encounter State Interference in Naming Their Children
3. Belarusian Pastor Fined for Performing Public Baptisms
4. Turkey Refuses to Re-Open Greek Orthodox Seminary
5. Christian Couple in Iran Released After One Week’s Detention
6. Moroccan Government Attempts to Make School Textbooks More Moderate
7. Iranian Cleric Threatened for Speaking in Favor of Separation of Church and State

September 14-21
1. Iranian convert to Christianity Released from Prison
2. Christian Convert Shot for refusing to take part in Muslim prayer service
3. Attacks on Christian Pastors and Schools on the rise in India
4. Italian nun killed in Somalia
5. Baptist conscientious objector released from prison
6. Anger in Gujarat State over Amended Anti-Conversion Law
7. Death Row Inmates in Indonesia Denied Last Rites
8. Muslim Journalist in Bangladesh Charged with Sedition

September 1-14
1. Mob Attacks Church in Aceh, Indonesia
2. Religious Minorities in Uzbekistan Face Fines, Beatings and Deportation
3. Religious Intolerance on the rise in Pakistan
4. Somalia’s Union of Islamic Courts Demands an Islamic Constitution
5. Eritrea's Religious Prisoner Count Tops 1,900
6. Palestinian Gunmen Torch Qalqilya YMCA
7. Kidnapped Iraq Priest Released
8. Mormons in Slovakia Face Opposition from Catholic Bishops
9. Chinese Bishop Arrested after Celebrating Funeral Mass
10. Christian Prisoners in Sichuan Forbidden to Read the Bible, Meet for Mass
11. Religious Activists in Azerbaijan ask Officials to Reconsider Headscarf Ban