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Religion

Religion
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Religion. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
An event organised by Joey Yap, one of bazi’s most prominent modern practitioners. Photo: Handout
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

Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo laments world ‘in flames’ at Ash Wednesday service

Belgium

Belgium summons US ambassador over claims of antisemitism in rare diplomatic row

Ambassador Bill White had called an investigation into illegal circumcisions an ‘unacceptable harassment of the Jewish community’.

Pedestrians walk through Brussels’ historic centre around the Grand-Place. Photo: EPA-EFE
Australia

Australia presses Israel’s Herzog for charges over Gaza strike killing aid worker

PM Albanese uses Israeli president’s visit to demand charges for 2024 strike on aid convoy that killed Australian Zomi Frankcom and her colleagues.

United States

Walk for peace: Buddhist monks arrive in Washington after 3,700km journey

Their message of compassion, which comes amid US tensions over Trump’s immigration crackdown, has won millions of supporters.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s ‘illegal’ temple row: PM slams vigilantism after rally ban

Police detained 19 people, including a controversial preacher, as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday warned against playing ‘hero’.

A still from footage circulated on social media shows a person being detained in central Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, after police denied permission for an “Anti-Illegal Houses of Worship” rally. Photo: X/bckupacc99
Pakistan

32 killed in Pakistan mosque suicide blast: ‘extremely powerful explosion’

The attack was the deadliest in Islamabad since September 2008, when 60 were killed in a suicide truck bomb blast at the Marriott hotel.

Malaysia

Malaysian minister’s use of ‘Alhamdulillah’ sparks PAS’ objections

Nga Kor Ming’s use of the Arabic phrase in parliament prompted a warning by a PAS MP that it could ‘confuse Muslims’.

Nigeria

Dozens of kidnapped Nigerian Christians released from captivity

Freedom for final 89 captives marks the end of a weeks-long ordeal for worshippers snatched from three churches in January.

Freed church worshipers at the state government house in Kaduna, Nigeria on Thursday. Photo: AP
Books and literature

Video | How an iconic Indian comic series stays ‘immortal’

The Indian comic series Amar Chitra Katha was created to teach children about the Hindu universe of gods, legends and history.

This photograph taken on January 16, 2026 shows a worker arranging pages for binding at India’s oldest and indigenous comic book publisher Amar Chitra Katha’s printing press in Mumbai. When India’s comic book series Amar Chitra Katha was launched in 1967, its mission was simple: introduce children to the country’s vast universe of Hindu gods, legends and history. Nearly six decades later, the comic, known simply as ACK and meaning “immortal illustrated stories”, is still holding its ground in an era ruled by smartphones and streaming television. (Photo by Indranil MUKHERJEE / AFP)
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Africa

Nigerian army kills top Boko Haram commander, 10 militants in night raid

Abu Khalid, a commander of Boko Haram in the Sambisa Forest in Borno state, was a key figure within ‘the terrorist hierarchy’ according to the army.

Britain

‘Big statement’: Sarah Mullally confirmed as first female Archbishop of Canterbury

The worldwide Anglican Communion, including the US Episcopal Church, has no formal head, but the archbishop is its spiritual leader.

Malaysia

Chinese mum’s Islamic preschool choice wins hearts, stirs debate in Malaysia

‘I didn’t expect this. I simply wanted to celebrate my son’s growth and multiculturalism,’ Low Zi Kang’s mother says.

Chan Zhu Er takes a wefie with her son Low Zi Kang before dropping him off at his preschool in Chaah, Malaysia’s Johor. Photo: Chan/The Star
Japan

As Muslim tourism grows, can Japan adapt to travellers’ prayer needs?

In places where purpose-built prayer rooms are not feasible, experts say flexibility is vital to enhance visitor experience.

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A Muslim woman prays in the prayer room at the World Exposition in Osaka, Japan, last year. Photo: Kyodo
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Islamists preach ‘racial domination’ to woo young voters

They govern the north, dominate the opposition and claim to soon be the undisputed home of Malay nationalism. Is Putrajaya next for PAS?

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India

Video | Men grab bull by the horns in Indian harvest festival

Critics have called the sport cruel, but for some it is a vital part of life in Tamil Nadu.

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India

Journalists in Indian Kashmir face censorship as police demand ‘peace’ pledges

Journalists face summons and pressure to vow not to ‘disturb peace’ following reports on state profiling of religious institutions.

In August 2019, newspapers in Ahmedabad headline Kashmir’s lost special status, as local journalists face pressure to pledge not to ‘disturb peace’. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Video | Former Japanese leader Shinzo Abe’s killer sentenced to life

Under Japan’s legal system, the trial continued despite Tetsuya Yamagami admitting guilt to Abe’s murder.

Malaysia

‘Indecent’ aerobics: viral Zumba video triggers police probe in Malaysia

Headscarf-wearing instructors ignited a social media firestorm and religious backlash after being filmed performing in clothing considered skimpy.

Nepal

Video | Nepali village hosts festive bullfighting event

Although the bullfight forms a significant part of the tradition, animal rights activists are urging the community to abandon the use of animals in festival celebrations.

January 15, 2020, Nepal: Bulls fighting during the festival..Every year thousands of people gather at the open ground of Taruka village in Nuwakot district around 80Km north of Kathmandu, to witness bullfights festival on the occasion of Maghe Sangranti or Makar Sangranti Festival, which indicates the end of winter according to the Hindu calendar. (Credit Image: © Bivas Shrestha/SOPA Images via ZUMA Wire)
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Malaysia

Anwar’s reform record questioned after Malaysian reporter’s sedition arrest

Rex Tan’s arrest for asking a ‘sensitive question’ shows how a colonial-era act continues to hold back Malaysian reforms, critics say.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks to the media on January 10. Photo: Xinhua
Australia

South Korean church deploys ‘special force’ to recruit Australian youths

The Shincheonji church compiles profiles of potential members to draw up personalised recruitment plans, according to a former member.

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Malaysia

FMT apologises for racial query tying Malaysia’s ‘Chinese problem’ to Palestine

During a George Galloway lecture, a Free Malaysia Today reporter asked if the ‘Palestine problem’ parallels Malaysia’s ‘Chinese problem’.

Indonesia

Indonesian comedian hit with blasphemy complaints over Netflix jokes

Pandji Pragiwaksono’s unfiltered set took aim at the president, but it was a quip about religious groups that triggered police reports.

A still from the trailer for Indonesian comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono’s new Netflix special “Mens Rea”. Photo: YouTube/pandji.pragiwaksono

Video | Japanese worshippers brave ice bath for the new year

Participants wearing traditional loincloths or white gowns immerse themselves in a ritual ice bath.

Participants pray as they take an ice-cold bath during a ceremony to purify their souls and to pray for the New Year at the Teppozu Inari shrine in Tokyo, Japan, January 11, 2026. REUTERS/Issei Kato
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Malaysia

‘We are not criminals’: Malaysian LGBTQ event faces conservative backlash

Police have launched an investigation into ‘Glamping With Pride’ after Islamic authorities raised an outcry.

Israel

UN accuses Israel of subjecting Palestinians in West Bank to ‘apartheid’

For first time, UN rights chief labels situation in occupied Palestinian territories ‘apartheid’, a term previously used only by UN experts.

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