Hagia Sophia Hosts 1st Friday Prayers Since It Was Turned Back Into A Mosque
The Istanbul landmark has long been hailed as a symbol of the coexistence of Christianity and Islam, a cultural junction between East and West.
Religion
Siamak Hariri: How Do You Create A Sacred Space?
To design the Bahá'í Temple of South America, architect Siamak Hariri had to reimagine what a sacred space looks like. He found his answer and design in illumination.
Communities Struggle To Decide Whether To Resume In-Person Worship
Some churches have resumed in-person worship after months of the shutdown. But others have not started yet. Deciding whether and how to reopen churches is difficult for many communities.
Blaze At Centuries-Old Cathedral In Nantes Under Investigation As Arson
The fire at the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul called to mind the one at Notre Dame Cathedral last year. French officials say they have controlled the blaze and avoided a "Notre Dame scenario."
Coronavirus Victims: 1st Muslim Prison Chaplain In Texas, Akbar Nurid-Din Shabazz
Akbar Nurid-Din Shabazz, the first Muslim chaplain in the Texas criminal justice system, died of COVID-19 on April 23. He was 70.
COVID-19 Surge Has Some Church Leaders Rethinking Whether To Reopen
One survey finds 5% of pastors saying their churches will not resume in-person worship for the remainder of 2020.
Several Churches Announce They Won't Reopen This Year
A small but growing number of churches have announced they do not plan to reopen until 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns.
New Vatican Guidance Urges Clergy To Report Cases Of Sexual Abuse
A step-by-step manual for investigating and reporting sexual abuse cases involving clergy calls on church authorities to alert civilian officials even if not required to do so by law.
Pompeo's Vision Of Human Rights May Hurt LGBTQ, Women's Rights, Critics Say
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo unveiled his vision of how the U.S. should redefine its advocacy of human rights — stressing religion. Critics say it could endanger abortion rights and LGBTQ equality.
Sudan Introduces Wide-Reaching Reforms To Move Away From Strict Islamist Rule
Sudan has upended decades of strict Islamist governance by spiking apostasy laws and making female genital mutilation illegal. In addition, it will allow non-Muslims to drink alcohol.