Malaysia
Aid flotilla to help Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar
By guest — December 30, 2016
(REUTERS) The flotilla has yet to receive permission to enter Myanmar, sparking fears of a confrontation with security forces that could worsen Myanmar's already-frayed ties with predominantly Muslim Malaysia.
Malaysian rapper held over music video said to insult Islam
By Jerome Socolovsky — August 23, 2016
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysian authorities remanded a rapper in custody for four days on Monday over a music video he produced that allegedly insulted Islam.
Ramadan in Malaysia (PHOTOS)
By Alexandra Radu — June 6, 2016
(RNS) In keeping with tradition, Muslims of Kuala Lumpur break the Ramadan fast with a community meal, known as "iftar," and evening prayers known as Tarawih.
Outrage in multiethnic Malaysia as government backs Islamic law
By RNS staff — May 28, 2016
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) The move shocked some of Prime Minister Najib Razak's allies and stoked fears of further strains in the multiethnic country.
Vows and body piercings abound as Hindus celebrate Thaipusam in Malaysia
By Alexandra Radu — January 25, 2016
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (RNS) The festival is thought to bring peace, good health and blessings to devotees. For tourists, Thaipusam offers a window on the concept of “mind over matter.”
Bike lanes * Saint Barbie * So long: October’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — November 2, 2015
Churches attack bike lanes for "burdening" their religious freedom as Saint Barbie leads a plastic revolution in Argentina. Savor every word of this last ever recap as I say “so long” to On Freedom.
East-West Travelblog: Taking ‘divine music’ out of the mosque
By Kimberly Winston — September 15, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (RNS) Christians have praise music. Muslims have nasyid -- a form of singing in which a phrase or word of praise is repeated, is super popular among Muslims -- especially young Muslims -- with concerts and festivals all around the world.
East-West Travelblog: Who owns the word ‘Allah’?
By Kimberly Winston — September 8, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (RNS) See this book? It was in my hotel room here in Malaysia. It’s in hotel rooms around the world. But here, this book is banned if it is written in Malay, the official language of the country’s 30 million people.
Fake church * ISIS onesies * Albino hope: August’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — September 1, 2015
HBO’s John Oliver trolls predatory televangelists by launching his own tax-exempt church. Spain arrests a man for selling ISIS shirts and baby onesies. And a U.S. charity is offering new limbs to albino children dismembered for black magic in Tanzania. Read on.
Marijuana ministries * Chicken blood * Chocolate snakes: July’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — July 31, 2015
Cannabis churches are billowing out across America. Chicken huggers are suing to keep ritual bird blood off Brooklyn’s sidewalks. And a South African prophet is being prosecuted for turning congregants into snakes and snakes into chocolate.
PHOTOS: For trans Muslims in Malaysia, daily life brings struggles, triumphs
By Alexandra Radu — July 28, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (RNS) Islamic law forbids cross-dressing, and Malaysia's government has a zero-tolerance policy toward transgender issues.
Malaysian activists question role of Muslim ‘fashion police’
By Reuters — July 21, 2015
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) Women in Malaysia, long seen as a moderate Islamic nation, have been denied entry to government buildings on the grounds their skirts were too revealing, fanning fears of growing conservatism in a country with large non-Muslim minorities.
Nude trekkers atop Mount Kinabalu deported for offending religious sensibilities
By Trevor Grundy — June 12, 2015
CANTERBURY, England (RNS) In court they admitted to urinating on the mountain and swearing at a guide who told them to respect the mountain because local people have strong religious beliefs that it is where their ancestors reside in the afterlife.
5 takeaways from the new report by US Commission on International Religious Freedom
By Brian Pellot — May 5, 2015
(RNS) The Central African Republic is bad, Malaysia is getting worse, and ISIS fighters should face the International Criminal Court.
Beef ban * Witch hunts * Too much Guinness : March’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — April 1, 2015
An Indian state bans the sale and possession of beef. Tanzanians murder “witches” accused of murdering “magical albinos.” And Ireland nearly outlaws straight marriage, on accident. Who needs April Fools’ Day when reality is this strange?
