- How Quran-Burning Turned into a Diplomatic Nightmare for Sweden
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/how-quran-burning-turned-diplomatic-nightmare-sweden
Location: Sweden
In a provocative act during Eid al-Adha celebrations, an Iraqi refugee named Salwan Momika desecrated the Quran outside the Stockholm Central Mosque in Sweden. Momika tore up and set fire to the holy book, placed a strip of bacon on it, and stamped on it while waving Swedish flags. Surprisingly, the Muslim community largely dismissed or ignored the act, responding with calm and even distributing chocolates to the police present. Avsan Mezori, a Muslim in the crowd, expressed empathy for Momika but refused to give him attention, while Husam El Gomati, a political activist, saw it as a deliberate attempt to portray Muslims as violent. The incident drew criticism from Turkish officials, who have already blocked Sweden's NATO membership application due to other controversies. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson considered the act legal but inappropriate, leaving it to the police to handle such incidents. The US State Department condemned the Quran burning and urged Turkey to approve Sweden's NATO bid.
- Criticizing Islam Costs a Life: Kurdish Artist Gunned Down
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/criticizing-islam-costs-life-kurdish-artist-gunned-down
Location: Iraqi Kurdistan
Tragedy struck the Kurdish region of Iraq as the life of Khwanas Wirya, a vibrant Kurdish artist, was brutally cut short in his own town of Chamchamal. The reason? Allegations of criticizing Islam and being an atheist. In a chilling Facebook post, the suspected murderer declared, "I'll not allow anyone vilify my prophet. I'll not." The shocking incident sent shockwaves across Kurdish social media, with furious netizens pointing fingers at Islamist parties and Salafists for fueling the hatred that led to Wirya's untimely demise. Binar Mustafa, a passionate Iraqi activist, mourned the loss of this talented soul, warning of the growing grip of religious conservatism in Iraqi Kurdistan. As the community reels from the loss, urgent action is needed to combat the rising tide of intolerance and violence that threatens the region.
- Blasphemy Now Equals Terrorism: Pakistan's Bold Legal Move
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/blasphemy-now-equals-terrorism-pakistans-bold-legal-move
Location: Pakistan
Pakistan has made a bold legal move by agreeing to try blasphemy suspects under anti-terrorism laws, in addition to the existing anti-blasphemy laws, which carry the official penalty of execution. This decision was made in response to pressure from the radical Islamist party, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), which staged a 25-day-long protest march. The agreement also includes lifting the ban on TLP media coverage and dropping political cases against its leaders. However, this move has raised concerns among human rights groups, as blasphemy laws in Pakistan have often been misused to target religious minorities and settle personal scores. The consequences of this decision could further jeopardize the already vulnerable position of religious minorities and non-religious individuals in the country. As Amnesty International has warned, the strict anti-blasphemy laws can be weaponized against innocent people, leading to tragic incidents like the lynching of a religious leader during a rally last year.
- ISIS Atrocities; German Woman Imprisoned for Enslaving Yazidi Woman
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/isis-atrocities-german-woman-imprisoned-enslaving-yazidi-woman
Location: Germany
In a chilling tale of terror, a German woman has been handed a nine-year prison sentence for her role in the enslavement and abuse of a Yazidi woman. This shocking case exposed the woman's dark alliance with the barbaric Islamic State and the unimaginable suffering inflicted upon the Yazidi victim. The court revealed that the defendant not only joined the ranks of ISIS but also orchestrated heinous acts of rape and brutality, all in the name of eradicating the Yazidi faith. As the world bears witness to the Yazidis' harrowing struggle for survival, this trial marks a small step towards justice, while reminding us of the ongoing battle against the horrors inflicted by extremist ideologies. The brutal offensive against the Yazidis in 2014 resulted in genocide, with thousands of men killed and thousands of women enslaved and abused.
- 'Send them to India': The Cost of Celebrating Holi at a Pakistani College
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/send-them-india-cost-celebrating-holi-pakistani-college
Location: Pakistan
In a clash between tradition and diversity, students at a Pakistani university found themselves at the center of controversy after participating in Holi celebrations on campus. The vibrant festivities, organized by the Mehran Students' Council, drew both praise and criticism from Pakistani netizens. While some condemned the event and even suggested sending the participating students to India, others championed the importance of cultural diversity and tolerance in academia. The university's registrar's office issued a notice warning against unauthorized festivities, but the Quaid-i-Azam University Admission Cell defended cultural performances as essential for representing one's own culture. The Pakistani government also weighed in, urging institutions to distance themselves from activities deemed incompatible with the country's Islamic identity. However, this directive faced backlash, with critics questioning the government's priorities and its failure to recognize regional languages or honor religious festivals.
- Rhythm & Repression: Inside the Secret Trial of an Iranian Rapper
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/rhythm-repression-inside-secret-trial-iranian-rapper
Location: Iran
Behind closed doors, the secret trial of Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has raised alarm among lawyers, activists, and citizens who fear for his wellbeing and the lack of transparency in his case. Salehi, a dissident musician who openly opposes the Islamic Republic, was arrested last October and has been detained for over 230 days, the majority of that time served in solitary confinement. He was recently charged with moharebeh, an offense that translates to "waging war against God," which is punishable by death according to Iran's Islamic Sharia law. Reports of his mistreatment and torture have sparked international concern, with the US government pledging to monitor his situation. Iranians both inside the country and in the diaspora have rallied in support of Salehi, demanding justice and fair treatment. Representatives from Germany, Austria, New Zealand, and Italy, who serve as his political sponsors, have also expressed their worries and demanded access to his court files. Salehi's powerful protest songs have resonated with many, shedding light on social issues and government injustices. His arrest came shortly after a candid interview with foreign media where he condemned the regime's corruption and oppression. As the trial unfolds in secrecy, the world stays vigilant while demanding Toomaj’s immediate and unconditional release.
- From Human Trafficking to YouTube Ban: The Odd Case of a Filipino Pastor
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/human-trafficking-youtube-ban-odd-case-filipino-pastor
Location: Philippines
In a surprising turn of events, Filipino pastor and self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God" Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy had his YouTube channel terminated on June 21st for alleged violations of the platform's community guidelines. The termination came after Canadian YouTuber Mutahar Anas flagged YouTube's support team on Twitter, highlighting Quiboloy's previous cases of human trafficking and an FBI warrant against him. YouTube promptly reviewed the channel and took it down. Prior to its suspension, Quiboloy's channel had over 47,000 subscribers. Quiboloy, who leads the religious group Kingdom of Jesus Christ, has been on the FBI's most wanted list since February 2022, facing charges of human trafficking and money laundering. The controversial religious leader has also faced allegations of sexual abuse and severe human rights abuses, resulting in sanctions from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury Department. Quiboloy's media outlet, Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), has been criticized for engaging in baseless labeling and supporting right-wing political figures. Despite the controversies, Quiboloy continues to garner attention, such as when he claimed to have stopped an earthquake in 2019 by yelling "stop" at it.
- Unseen Unity: US Majority Oppose Religious-Based LGBT Discrimination
Location: United States
A groundbreaking study has revealed that the majority of Americans, spanning different ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds, are opposed to religious-based discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community. This comes at a time when Christian conservative groups have introduced hundreds of anti-LGBTQIA+ bills in state legislatures across the nation. The study, conducted by the Williams Institute, a public policy research institute, found that 84% of respondents opposed denying healthcare to LGBTQIA+ individuals based on religious grounds, while 74% were against religious-based employment discrimination. Surprisingly, even among Republicans, majorities opposed such discrimination, with 52% opposing service refusal and 54% against employment discrimination. The study also highlighted that religious groups, including Protestants, Catholics, and non-Christians, expressed opposition to religious-based discrimination. Christy Mallory, the legal director at the Williams Institute, emphasized the misalignment between state legislatures and public opinion, stating, "More than three in four Americans now favor civil rights laws protecting LGBTQ people against religiously motivated discrimination."
- How a Fake Priest Led to a $140,000 Fine for a California Restaurant!
https://www.atheistrepublic.com/news/how-fake-priest-led-140000-fine-california-restaurant
Location: United States
A California restaurant is facing major consequences after allegedly hiring a fake priest to extract confessions from its employees. Taqueria Garibaldi, with two branches in California, has been ordered by the U.S. District Court to pay $140,000 in compensation to its workers. The US Department of Labor revealed that the fake priest, hired by restaurant owner Che Garibaldi, urged employees to confess their sins and asked them if they had stolen or intended to harm the employer. The investigation also uncovered other labor rights violations, including denial of overtime pay, illegal bonuses to managers, and threats of retaliation and adverse immigration consequences. Federal investigators condemned the restaurant's actions, calling the hiring of the fake priest a shameful act of corruption. Marc Pilotin, a regional solicitor of labor, described the attempts at retaliation as despicable.
