Moon asks religious leaders to help heal social conflicts
Seoul: President Moon Jae-in expressed concern Monday about unrelenting social and ideological rifts in South Korea, requesting that the religious community help address the problem. He highlighted the political wrangling over some key policy goals supported by many people, including prosecution reform, and the ensuing conflict among citizens. As a specific example, the president cited […]
Turning to Religion: Indonesia’s Widodo Plays the Islamic Card
Back in late 2009, a former military colleague of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was asked whether Indonesia would see the emergence of a new and more dynamic leader now that Yudhoyono was entering a second and mandated final term with nothing to lose and the economy riding the crest of an historic commodity boom. […]
Three Hotel Associations Signed an Agreement Allowing Muslim Employees to Wear Scarves
Following the pronouncement of Malaysia as an Islamic state almost three decades ago, many things changed within the national community: from lifestyles, cultures, and right up to an increasing awareness towards Islamic values. Such values included the wearing of traditional headdresses (scarves or long dresses that cover the body from head to toe) by women, […]
Buddhism is a Gender Equal Religion. Or Maybe Not.
Buddhism in the Korean Peninsula Buddhism is one of the main religions in South Korea: in fact, 15.5% of the population is Buddhist. The religion first came to the Korean peninsula from China during the 4th century. Nowadays, there are the different schools of Seon (Korean Zen), Jogye Order, Taego, Cheontae, Jingak Order and Won […]
Pakistan’s Thar Desert – A Symbol of Interfaith Harmony
While travelling across Thar, world’s 7th largest desert divided between Pakistan and India, one would be amazed to know that the vast arid land faced with persisting drought and other natural calamities, is the cradle of interfaith harmony, where the Hindus and the Muslims bury their loved ones in common graveyards. The Thar Desert is […]
New Seoul-based zine offers platform for female artists
What has always interested me in Korea is the alternative forms of art. While the mainstream media rules the markets all around the world, it is the alternative art, music and cinema of a country which push the envelope and experiment and bring in more diversity. And in Korea, specifically in Seoul which is the center […]