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Religion

Religion
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Religion. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Farouk’s wife gave birth in a Malaysian immigration detention centre a day after the family was arrested. Photo: Ushar Daniele
Malaysia

‘I’ve never held my son’: the Rohingya families Malaysia keeps apart

More than 5,000 Rohingya languish in detention in Malaysia, leaving fathers like Farouk to watch their children grow through a screen.

Malaysia

Should wives always obey? Most in Malaysia and Indonesia say yes

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US, Israel war on Iran

Netanyahu compares Jesus and Genghis Khan in Iran war speech, drawing backlash

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Thailand

Video | Thai ‘Death Fest’ offers new look at the end of life

Three-day event brings together exhibits, discussions and workshops to encourage visitors to talk about the inevitable.

A visitor poses for a photo sitting in a coffin at Death Fest in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)
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Indonesia

Half of Indonesia is travelling for Eid as US$100 oil threatens state finances

A US$100 oil shock is ballooning fuel subsidies towards a deficit cap breach.

Africa

Suicide attacks in Nigeria kill 23, wound more than 100

Attacks in Maiduguri are among the deadliest in the conflict-battered city in recent history.

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Malaysia

Malaysia charges 2 men and seeks extradition over religious posts

Two men have been hauled up in court and a third is being tracked amid a crackdown on inflammatory social media posts.

Malaysian activist Arun Dorasamy. Photo: Facebook/arundorasamy
Gun violence in the US

Brother of Michigan synagogue attacker was Hezbollah commander: Israeli military

Ibrahim Ghazali was killed in Lebanon on March 5 along with 3 other relatives of Detroit attacker Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, the IDF said.

US, Israel war on Iran

‘Cease fire’! Pope Leo escalates call for Middle East war to end

The pope did not cite the US or Israel by name but did mention the strike on a school in Iran that killed over 165 people.

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Crime in Hong Kong

2 monks brawl during temple ceremony in Hong Kong, leaving 1 injured

Police say one monk has been arrested after fight at repentance service at Chuk Lam Sim Yuen.

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Chuk Lam Sim Yuen in Tsuen Wan. Photo: Google Maps
Asia travel

The quiet Japanese islands where Christians once hid their religion

Those searching for solitude in these tranquil Japanese isles follow in the footsteps of persecuted Christians forced to practise their faith in secret.

The Teng Hoi at anchor in the Goto Islands. Photo: Cameron Dueck
Gun violence in the US

Assailant dead after ramming vehicle into Michigan synagogue

Authorities identify the deceased assailant as Ayman Mohamad Ghazali; reports suggest he recently lost family members in Lebanon.

Malaysia

Malaysian man jailed for 10 months, fined US$12,700 over Facebook post insulting Islam

Malaysia has warned that ‘stern action’ will be taken against content that insults, incites hatred or touches on race, religion or royalty.

Malaysia

1 holy month, 1 year’s income: Malaysia’s Ramadan bazaar boom

Rents have doubled, ingredient costs keep climbing, yet for the stallholders at Malaysia’s bazaars, no other month comes close.

Asyraf Ahmad (left) sells drinks at his Ramadan stall after switching his business model from food. Photo: Ushar Daniele
Germany

Berlin jails man for 13 years over stabbing at Holocaust memorial

The man, 20, said he had been motivated by his radicalisation and belief he was acting with a religious mission.

Police apprehend a suspect at the scene where a person was stabbed near Berlin’s Holocaust memorial in Berlin on February 21, 2025. Photo: AFP
Religion in China

What are Buddhist relics? The bones and teeth with great power for followers

Buddhist relics are seen as living, active sources of blessings imbued with supernatural qualities, but authenticity can be an issue.

Japan

Muslims in Japan were falsely blamed for illegal buildings. Then came the fires

It started with social media posts falsely blaming Muslims for building violations. Then came the fires.

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Japan

Japanese court upholds order to dissolve Unification Church over donations

The order will take immediate effect, with the group losing its religious corporation tax status and liquidation procedures to begin.

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Security personnel stand guard outside the Unification Church headquarters in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

How the Unification Church is facing fallout in Japan from Shinzo Abe’s murder

Critics have called the group a ‘money-making business’, with many people having lost huge sums of money from its ‘spiritual sales’.

Crime

French court reduces prison terms for 3 involved in 2020 teacher beheading

Samuel Paty was murdered by radical Islamist teenager Abdoullakh Anzorov after showing a class cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s ‘ridiculous’ push to curb LGBTQ apps tests limits of digital control

Officials are examining legislative steps to curb apps like Grindr, though removal from global stores is beyond direct state control.

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Malaysia is considering new laws to curb LGBTQ dating apps like Grindr. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Row over speakers on Indonesian ‘island of 1,000 mosques’ sparks debate on rules

A New Zealander’s disruption of a prayer session over the use of loudspeakers at a mosque has prompted some to call for a law on their use.

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Officials inspecting a mosque’s speakers in Jakarta. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia blocks Grindr, Blued for promoting ‘deviant’ relationships

The move signals tightening social climate and civil liberties concerns in the country.

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Malaysia

Malaysian police arrest student for desecrating Koran in viral social media post

The post, which reportedly shows a photo of a man stepping on the holy book, has sparked public outrage and concerns over religious harmony.

The Netherlands

New Dutch government under centrist Jetten takes power

Jetten pulled off a stunning election win in October to dethrone the far-right party led by firebrand politician Geert Wilders.

Ministers of the new three-party minority government pose with King Willem-Alexander (middle right, Prime Minster Rob Jetten (middle left) and Deputy Prime Minister Dilan Yesilgöz (front row right) on the steps of Royal Palace Huis ten Bosch in The Hague. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Bikini-clad mermaid sales stunt triggers religious probe in Malaysia

Authorities in conservative Kelantan are investigating the viral cross-dressing video after online critics accused the men of mocking Islam.

An expanded screenshot of the mermaid sales stunt that circulated on Malaysian social media. Photo: X/dahfollowbelum
Chinese culture

Ancient Chinese astrology gets a Gen Z rebrand in Southeast Asia

Forget rituals and superstitions, today’s young professionals are using ‘bazi’ 10-year luck forecasts to plan their next career pivot.

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Nepal

Unearthed temple in Nepal sheds new light on Buddha’s early life

Archaeologists hope the newly discovered ruins at Siddhartha Gautam’s childhood palace will help secure Unesco World Heritage status.

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