Latest news with #religiousLeaders
Al Bawaba
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Outrage in Turkey after women in imam robes twerk inside mosque
ALBAWABA - A social media video that showed two young ladies entering a mosque while wearing imam robes and doing twerks within the hallowed building has caused a great deal of indignation in Turkey. The video, which was purportedly taken at a Bolu mosque, went viral very fast and has since provoked an outcry from the public. Also Read Outrage in Palestine over snack ad mocking 'last supper' Although the video's source is still unknown, many have taken offense at the images, especially because of the symbolic clothing and the environment. One of the video's captions, "Trying to find the right path with my bestie," describes the ladies' suggestive gestures and movements. This was seen by many as a willful disregard for religion symbols and institutions. Social media users were incensed and blasted the video as blasphemous. "How dare they?" and requests for responsibility, such as "Find them immediately," were among the comments. The actions were denounced by some as both unethical and a purposeful provocation meant to incite controversy. Social critics and religious leaders have demanded that the event be looked into and that authorities find and speak with those responsible. In Turkey, where conflicts often erupt over matters pertaining to secularism and religious values, the controversy has rekindled discussions about the limits of freedom of speech and respect for places of worship. Although the Bolu municipal authorities have not yet made an official declaration about possible legal action, public pressure is growing for prompt accountability.
Washington Post
29-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Former Congolese leader Kabila meets with religious leaders in rebel-controlled city
GOMA, Congo — Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila , who is accused by the government of supporting Rwanda-backed rebels in the country's conflict-battered east, on Thursday met with top religious leaders in the rebel-controlled city of Goma. During the meeting — his first public engagement since Congolese authorities lifted his immunity amid a treason probe - Kabila expressed his desire to help achieve peace in the troubled region, according to one of the religious leaders.
Arab News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
UK faith leaders urge PM to tone down migration rhetoric
Downing Street has strongly rejected the claims but the religious leaders asked him to 'reconsider the language the government uses'The 25 signatories instead called for a 'more compassionate narrative'LONDON: UK religious leaders on Friday called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to tone down his language about migration, after comparisons were made to an inflammatory speech in the leader Starmer this week announced tougher new policies to tackle high levels of migration, in an attempt to stem a growing loss of support to the hard a speech, he said the UK risked becoming 'an island of strangers,' prompting comparisons to similar phrasing in the late politician Enoch Powell's so-called 'rivers of blood' speech about the dangers of uncontrolled immigration in Street has strongly rejected the claims but the religious leaders, including Church of England bishops, senior Muslim and Jewish clerics, asked him to 'reconsider the language the government uses.''Our concern is that the current narrative, which presents only one side of the debate, will only drive public anxiety and entrench polarization,' they wrote.'When you refer to the 'incalculable' damage done by uncontrolled migration, you are in danger of harming migrant members of our communities and strengthening those who would divide us,' they human rights lawyer Starmer's hardening tone has shocked some of his parliamentary colleagues and a YouGov poll published Friday indicated that half of Labour voters now have a negative opinion of 25 signatories instead called for a 'more compassionate narrative,' pointing out that many migrants had become 'part of our national story and fabric.''Our country would be so much poorer without them,' they plans include restrictions on recruiting from abroad for the social care sector, doubling the length of time before migrants can qualify for settlement and new powers to deport foreign religious leaders said people who had come to the UK legitimately under rules set by previous governments, working and paying tax.'Framing this as somehow unfair only feeds the politics of grievance and division,' they letter was sent to Starmer after his speech on Monday, The Guardian newspaper quoted a Downing Street spokesperson as saying: 'We are clear that migrants make a massive contribution to the UK, and would never denigrate that.'Britain is an inclusive and tolerant country, but the public expect that people who come here should be expected to learn the language and integrate.'
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Who are the cardinals choosing the next Pope?
In secrecy and prayer, a select group of cardinals will decide who will be the next religious leader of over a billion Catholics worldwide. What do we know about these men, most of whom are electing a pope for the first time?
