Israeli attacks on the "party of God" have damaged a medieval castle and a Shia shrine in Shamaa, a village near Tyre. The site is dedicated to Shamoun al-Safa, who is none other than the first pontiff of Christianity, and still bears traces of a chapel. To be certain if ancient relics are inside, Israeli forces have to pull back.
Fr Jihad Youssef, superior of the community founded by Fr Dall'Oglio, reflects about the situation created by the fall of the Assad regime. For him, it is impossible for Christians to remain in the Middle East if they confront and compete with Muslims. It takes "courage" to be a "small flock". The concept of dhimmah should be turned into a form of “dynamic interaction”. Meanwhile, HST rebel leader wants those responsible for crimes and torture to be returned to Syria. Israel carries out hundreds airstrikes, its tanks are 20 km from Damascus.
Fr. Bahjat Karakach speaks to AsiaNews from the northern city now controlled by opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. The anti-Assad front is targeting Hama, while in the conquered territories it promises protection for minorities. The parish is the distribution point for aid, but resources are limited. A people ‘exhausted by years of suffering and stalemate’.
Hundreds of students have taken to the streets in recent hours to demonstrate against the attack on the diplomatic representation, with serious damage to the building. Earlier there had been demonstrations in India against the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in the neighbouring country. The two governments tighten control and security measures.
Having come to power after the ousting of the historic premier Hasina and the student protests, the interim executive does not seem to meet expectations. The issue of the fight against corruption is unresolved and there is a risk of a growing Islamic drift. Economic challenges, in particular the issue of inflation, continue to weigh on the citizens.
President Pezeshkian at the UN appealed for unity and equal rights for minorities. NGO reports reveal a picture of intimidation and marginalisation for the religious community. State propaganda portrays them as ‘impure’ and ‘agents of foreign powers’ in the service of Israel and the West. Former UN rapporteur for Iran: ‘genocidal and persecutory’ intentions.
Card Zenari remembers the founder of Mar Musa on his seventieth birthday. The monastery remains his “most living” legacy. The tragedy of the missing is compounded by that of refugees and the displaced, the ongoing war, and last year’s devastating earthquake. Increasingly frequent, Israeli raids have cut links with Lebanon which are an “umbilical cord". Pope Francis’s proclamation of the martyrs of Damascus is a “breath of fresh air”.
For the Israeli activist, who mediated the release of Gilad Shalit after five years of Hamas captivity, Israel’s prime minister is using antisemitism to cover up domestic scandals and exploiting the war for his own self-interest. He also criticises the Palestinian side, which must prepare the ground for elections postponed for far too long. Qatar's step back should be used to restart negotiations.
Minahil, only six years old, was raped in the Asan School System by Muhammad Hassan, an employee of the institute. The man was arrested after the family's complaint, tests on the girl confirmed the abuse and DNA results are awaited. Christian and Muslim leaders have visited the victim and expressed their closeness to the parents.
After more than a year of sede vacante, Pope Francis appointed Fr. Agustinus Tri Budi Utomo to lead the diocese in East Java. The local community celebrated the announcement with a solemn mass. Fr. Didik, as he is nicknamed by the faithful, returns to his Church of origin after having been a missionary in a more remote area of the country
The suspects are being questioned, said Minister Herath. The government is tightening controls and boosting protection for foreigners, especially tourists from Israel from "potential threats". A Muslim leader says that a "conspiracy" against the country's new leadership seeks to "destroy" the economy.
The Islamic preacher died yesterday at the age of 83 in his US exile after years of poor health. For decades, he was one of Turkey’s most influential figures before taking refuge in the United States and being charged with orchestrating Turkey’s failed coup in 2016. His movement built a network of hundreds of schools at home and abroad. A supporter of interfaith dialogue, in 1998 he met Saint John Paul II in Rome.
For the Palestinian activist, the struggle is bound to continue, because it has "deeper roots" than the leaders who fight. Netanyahu claims a victory to offer to the Israeli people, but killing a man “does not eliminate an idea". Sinwar’s death will likely have repercussions for the talks on a truce and the fate of the hostages still held by Hamas.
In the headquarters of the Maronite Patriarchate, the main leaders of the 18 recognised religious communities in the country gathered. For Card. Raï it is ‘a sign of hope’. The urgency of a ceasefire, the election of a new president of the Republic who enjoys ‘consensus’, national unity and the Palestinian cause among the points of the final communiqué.
The controversial legislation presented for second and third reading in the current parliamentary session. Opponents reject without appeal the text that would grant broad powers to an unelected but ministerial-appointed official and turn a fatwa (also for non-Muslims) into law. For the promoters, it aims to define the role and responsibilities of the mufti in the federal territories.
The Chaldean Patriarch speaks to AsiaNews of a “worrying” situation especially for the civilian population, which pays “the highest price.” Mediations stagnate and the “economics of war” continue to prevail, triggering on other elements of crisis, such as demographics and climate. The role of Shiite militias in the Iraqi scenario and the “scandal” that hit the Chaldean Church recently.
Without a ceasefire and full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, Lebanon remains in a political stalemate. Iranian pressure prevents House Speaker Nabih Berry from freeing himself from Hezbollah's grip. Invited to the Vatican for the Synod on Lebanon in 1995 and the one on the Middle East in 2010, the senior Sunni leader tells AsiaNews that he hopes Lebanon will learn from past tragedies, and return to the Arab fold through the Saudi "gateway".
Accused of throwing away waste paper with sacred inscriptions, a fact they denied. The lawyer speaks of bad intentions towards the women, one of whom is also a widow. Activist Joseph Jansen: ‘This abuse of the laws must stop before more innocent lives are lost’.
The collaborative body relaunches its mission with first meeting in years. Christian and Muslim leaders together call for the reinclusion of Sulu in the Bangsamoro autonomous region, to safeguard the achievements of the peace process. The satisfaction of the Silsilah movement: ‘Important step at this historic moment when divisions and conflicts emerge in the Philippines and in the world’.
A Malaysian judge has upheld the appeal of a small tribal group in Pahang State, ordering the case to be heard by the High Court. They claim that they have always professed a traditional animist religion and that they have been misled because of their lack of knowledge of the Malay language, in violation of the Aboriginal Peoples Act.
The return to freedom of expression, following the fall of the former prime minister, opened up space for extremist movements and groups. In recent street demonstrations, Islamic State-like banners have appeared. Police and law enforcement agencies are in action to avert an extremist escalation, but there are concerns among minorities, including Christians.
Despite being officially prohibited in Bishkek polygamous marriages proliferate, facilitated by shadow agencies that function on Islamic principles. Their activities are also supported by celebrities. But human rights activists also tell the other side: the increase in appeals from women who have fallen into this trap.
The last of five seats for the Asia-Pacific region went to the Marshall Islands by seven votes. For Saudi Arabia, this is a second defeat after that of 2020, while Qatar won its second consecutive term. In the first 10 months of 2024, the kingdom carried out a record 213 death sentences.
While they may be divided over the conflict between the Party of God and the Jewish State, Lebanese movements and parties are united in defending the country’s territorial integrity. The humanitarian emergency is getting worse as more and more people are displaced, but expressions of solidarity are also multiplying. Political analyst says the Israeli prime minister is trying to cause a religious war within Lebanon, splitting Lebanese society.
Msgr. Martinelli told AsiaNews that it is ‘urgent’ to relaunch the Church's ‘presence’ in the country tormented by conflict and violence. The testimony of the nuns, the work of Caritas and the local Christian reality. The Houthi missiles towards Israel, the neutrality of the Gulf and the fragile balance with Riyadh and Tehran. The Abrahamic House a model of encounter, confrontation and prayer.
AsiaNews met with Archbishop Mathieu on the sidelines of the Synod, a few hours before the announcement of his elevation to the rank of cardinal. The appointment shows the pope's "incessant desire" to "weave and strengthen bonds with all peoples." The Iranian people are "welcoming", not just " chadors and beards” as portrayed in the West.
The incident took place at the Civil Hospital in Sahiwal, Punjab. According to a complaint by Yousaf Masih Gill, the parent was refused urgent surgery by the doctors on confessional grounds. A health worker said: ‘If I had known earlier that you are a Christian, I would not have touched your father’. The family's protest and the health management's apology.
Three cases shake the conscience of the country and revive the issue of abuses linked to blasphemy rules. In Sindh, police kill a doctor investigated for blasphemous posts; a suspect is killed by an agent in Quetta, and his relatives forgive the murderer; a Christian woman is sentenced to death for messages on WhatsApp.
Malaysia has been shaken by an investigation into sexual offences against minors in some 20 homes run by a company linked to the late preacher whose movement was outlawed by Mahathir in 1994. Also arrested were the founder's son and the managing director of the group, which is present in 20 countries and also has operations in London, Paris, Dubai and Mecca.
The magistrates' want to investigate their role in the death of 78 young Muslims who were locked up in military vehicles. The incident took place in the far south of the country, the scene of separatist and sectarian tensions for decades. However, the case is under a statute of limitations and risks resurfacing the clash between the ruling party and the military and nationalist establishment.
