- Genocide Expert Warns of Impending Mass Violence Against Muslims in India
Location: India
On January 12th, Dr. Gregory Stanton, founder of the organization Genocide Watch, warned that genocide against Muslims in India is imminent if nothing is done regarding the discrimination they face. He announced his prediction during the congressional briefing hosted by the Indian American Muslims Council and Amnesty International. In his speech, Dr. Stranton highlighted the current Prime Minister's inaction during the 2002 riots in Gujarat during which more than 1,000 Indian Muslims lost their lives. He also said that Modi uses “Islamophobic” rhetoric to build his political base and cited discriminatory policies. In 2019, India enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act, which granted an easier citizenship path for religious minorities from neighboring countries, but excluded Muslims. In December 2021, Hindu religious leaders openly called for mass violence against Muslims, and pledged oaths to make India a “Hindu Rashtra [Nation]". Syed Zafar, a BJP spokesperson, stated that Dr. Stranton's claims regarding the violence and discrimination against Indian Muslims were "factually incorrect." It is vital to mention that this is not the first time Dr. Stanton has shared such an opinion. Almost two decades ago, Dr. Stanton had predicted the Rwandan genocide.
- 26-year-old Pakistani Woman Sentenced to Death for Blasphemy
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/26-year-old-pakistani-woman-sentenced-death-blasphemy
Location: Pakistan
On January 18th, 26-year-old female, Aneeqa Ateeq, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 200,000 ($1,132 USD), as well as death by hanging by a cybercrime court in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Muhammad Hasnat Farooq reported to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) that Aneeqa had shared blasphemous illustrations with him. Aneeqa denied all charges and stated that she was a practicing Muslim. According to her, Farooq is framing her as a blasphemer because she refused “to be friendly with him.” Aneeqa insisted that the plaintiff tricked her into a discussion about religion so that he could gather evidence against her. The documents presented to the court showed that her WhatsApp profile picture was an image of Prophet Mohammad. She allegedly shared “offensive” YouTube links with the plaintiff. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) reports that Pakistan “leads the world in blasphemy prisoners,” estimates that there are 80 alleged blasphemers in prison, with half sentenced to death. Activists have started the campaign #SaveAneeqa to express their solidarity with the accused, and a petition has been created to demand her safety. You can sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/supreme-court-of-pakistan-saveaneeqa
- Scandal in Saudi Arabia Over “Scantily-Clad” Dancers at Winter Festival
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/scandal-saudi-arabia-over-scantily-clad-dancers-winter-festival
Location: Saudi Arabia
A controversial samba performance has caused an outcry in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. During the “Jazan Winter Festival,” a samba performance caused controversy due to the dancers’ allegedly being “scantily dressed and half-clothed.” However, the dancers are notably much more covered than in typical Brazilian Carnaval celebrations, which the dance is internationally associated with. Jazan is directly governed by the regional governor Prince Muhammad bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz and is known for being a conservative stronghold. The backlash of the incident prompted Muhammad bin Nasser to order an investigation and identify the dancers. According to an article by The New Arab, the dancers appeared in revealing dresses and were met with “polarized” reactions. Mohammed al-Bajwi, a Jazan resident, in an interview with local TV reporters stated that “Shows are for entertainment, not to attack good ways and to go against religious and social morals.”
- French Senate Moves To Ban Hijab in Sports Competitions
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/french-senate-moves-ban-hijab-sports-competitions
Location: France
On January 19th, the French Senate voted in favor of banning religious veils in sporting events. With the overwhelming support of the French right-wing party, Les Republicains, the bill passed in a 160 to 143 vote. The amendment specifically prohibits clothing “of conspicuous religious symbols” in sports competitions. However, the bill’s text clearly states that the amendment aims to ban “the wearing of the veil in sports competitions.” The senators in favor of the bill asserted that headscarves could put athletes’ safety at risk and religious differences need to be put away when playing in the field. Les Hijabeuses (The Hijabis), a group of headscarf-wearing soccer players, have been campaigning against that ban of women from wearing headscarves in official matches. Now their focus is on the bill passed by the French Senate. Many are curious to see the outcome of this bill when France will host the next Summer Olympics in 2024.
- Militant Hindu Leader Arrested For Inciting Violence Against Muslims
Location: India
On January 17th, Yati Narsinghanand, a notoriously hateful Hindu priest, was arrested and sent to two weeks of judicial custody related to two cases against him. Yati was a significant participant in the Hindu nationalist event recently held in Haridwar that gained international attention for the open calls for genocide against non-Hindus. India’s Supreme Court had previously announced a petition to seek the prosecution of several Hindu leaders for making highly inflamed speeches against Muslims during the hateful events back in December. Yati’s lawyer, Maa Chetnanand Saraswati, noted that Narsighanand faces more than 20 other charges, including attempted murder. Since September 2021, Uttar Pradesh police have lodged three FIRs (First Information Reports) against Narsinghanand, mainly pertaining to insults against women.A few days after the announcement from the Supreme Court, Narsinghanand stated on Twitter during an interview, “Those who believe in this system, the police, politicians, and the military, will die like dogs.”
- Controversy in India as Hijabi Students Barred From Classes
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/controversy-india-hijabi-students-barred-classes
Location: India
On January 17th, six students of the Government Women's Pre-University college in Karnataka, India were once again denied entry into their classroom for wearing the hijab. A Twitter post showing the six girls attempting to study while barred from their classroom went viral. The girls have not been allowed to join their class since December 31st, 2021. The students also reported that they were not allowed to speak Urdu, Beary (a Dravidian language spoken by Muslims in the state), or Arabic within the school’s premises. Yashpal Suvarna, vice president of the College Development Committee, clarified that the girls violated the school's uniform policy which was introduced to offer an egalitarian approach to education. K. Raghupati Bhat, Chairman of the College Development Committee, said that the students should consider going to a different school if they are unwilling to follow the dress code.
- NBA Team Owner Declares "Nobody Cares About the Uyghurs"
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/nba-team-owner-declares-nobody-cares-about-uyghurs
Location: USA
Billionaire Chamath Palihapitiya, CEO of Social Capital, chairman of Virgin Galactic, and minority owner of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors has come under intense fire for comments he made on the “All-In Podcast,” in which he stated “Nobody cares about what’s happening to the Uyghurs, OK?” He elaborated that the issue of the ongoing Uyghur genocide in China, out of all the things that he worries about, is “below his line.” These comments were met with swift backlash, including from outspoken NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom who wrote on Instagram “When @nba says we stand for justice, don’t forget there are those who sell their soul for money & business like Chamath Palihapitiya the owner of @warriors…” On January 17th, Palihapitiya posted a weak apology on his Twitter account, which lacked any mention of genocide or the Uyghurs. The Warriors team released the statement, “As a limited investor who has no day-to-day operating functions with the Warriors, Mr. Palihapitiya does not speak on behalf of our franchise, and his views certainly don’t reflect those of our organization.”
- New Study: Ending Religious Education Doesn't Lead To Decline in Morals
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/new-study-ending-religious-education-doesnt-lead-decline-morals
Location: Germany
On January 3rd, the global research network CESifo released a preliminary paper on the social ramifications of withdrawing religious education from the school setting. The authors of the article used data from post-war Germany where compulsory religious education was gradually abolished and replaced with non-denominational ethics instructions from the 1970s through 2004. The article claimed that the “staggered termination of compulsory religious education led to more equalized gender roles, fewer marriages and children, and higher labor-market participation and earnings.” The paper found that the earlier termination of compulsory religious education also reduced private religious practice, like prayer, and public religiousness, such as church attendance. The paper also mentioned that removing religious education from schools did not negatively affect “reciprocity, trust, risk preference, volunteering, and life satisfaction,” and that “results indicate that religious indoctrination in school can indeed exert a lifetime influence on students.”
- California State Universities To Include Caste in Anti-Discrimination Policy!
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/cal-state-universities-include-caste-anti-discrimination-policy
Location: California
California State University (CSU) has become the first university system in the United States to add caste to its anti-discrimination policy. The decision will be implemented at all 23 campuses within the CSU university system. There is well documented evidence that Dalits (more commonly known outside of South Asia has “untouchables”) experience caste-based discrimination even in the United States. According to the non-profit Equality Labs, 1 in 3 Dalits in the US experience discrimination in educational space, 2 in 3 are mistreated in their workplace, and 1 in 4 experience physical and verbal assault relating to their caste. Prem Pariyar, a Nepali Dalit and CSU East Bay graduate, is one of the vital figures behind this policy change. He mentioned in an NBC interview that he and his family had to flee Nepal because they were attacked for their caste identity and for speaking out against caste atrocities. He managed to get caste protections first passed within the Department of Social Work, then at his university, and now throughout the Cal State system.
- YouTube Fails Its Creators: The Struggle to Gain Re-Monetization
https://twitter.com/AtheistRepublic/status/1471370104243777536?s=20
The Atheist Republic team recently discussed the many frustrations of maintaining a presence on the YouTube platform. For those not familiar, the Atheist Republic YouTube channel has been fully demonetized, due to an unspecified and unfounded accusation of “hate speech,” for almost a full year. Atheist Republic reapplied for monetization September 2021, and YouTube promises that creators will receive a response within one month. It has now been four months without a reply from YouTube. This conversation highlights the importance of having contacts at tech giant companies. If you or anyone you know works at YouTube, please reach out to Atheist Republic’s CEO: susanna@atheisrepublic.com
