Keywords: Religious Freedom


Erdogan revives talks on reopening historic Orthodox seminary in Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has instructed government officials to restart discussions on reopening the historic Halki Seminary, a renowned Orthodox Christian theological institution located near Istanbul. The move comes amid renewed international attention to religious freedom issues and......

Italy warns of growing hostility toward Christians after attack on nun in Jerusalem

Italy has expressed concern over what it describes as a “growing climate of hostility” toward Christian communities in parts of the Middle East, following an attack on a French nun in Jerusalem. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called on Israeli authorities to ensure full protection......

Erdoğan says Türkiye is a model country for freedom of religion

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Türkiye stands as an example of coexistence where people of different faiths can freely practice their religion. His remarks came during an iftar dinner held in the capital, Ankara, attended by representatives of several religious minority communities. Speaking......

Canadian prime minister condemns gunfire attacks at Toronto synagogues

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned a series of gunfire attacks targeting synagogues in the Greater Toronto Area, describing them as "criminal antisemitic assaults" that threaten both public safety and religious freedom. According to local police, shots were fired shortly after midnight......

Austria approves headscarf ban for girls under 14 amid constitutional concerns

Austria has enacted a new law prohibiting girls under the age of 14 from wearing headscarves in schools. The measure, backed by the conservative-led coalition of the ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos parties, has reignited debate over religious freedom and national identity. Lawmakers say the ban aims to......

Texas congressional candidate sparks outrage after Quran-burning video

Valentina Gomez, a Republican congressional candidate from Texas, has ignited a firestorm of controversy after posting a video on X (formerly Twitter) in which she burned a copy of the Quran, Islam’s holy book. The video was captioned, “I will end Islam in Texas so help me God,” and......

Far-right ban on Muslim prayers in Spanish town sparks Islamophobia debate

In a controversial move, the conservative Popular Party (PP) in Jumilla, southeastern Spain, passed a ban on religious gatherings in public sports facilities last week. Proposed by the far-right Vox party, the decision effectively targets Muslim holiday prayers, including Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha,......

Spain orders Jumilla to revoke ban on Muslim celebrations

Spain’s central government has instructed the town of Jumilla in Murcia to annul a controversial motion that prohibits religious festivities in municipal sports facilities. Critics argue the decision targeted the town's Muslim community, which has long hosted events like Eid al-Fitr in such......

Trump administration expands rights for federal employees to express religion at work

The Trump administration has introduced new guidance allowing federal employees to openly express and promote their religious beliefs in the workplace. A memo released by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Monday highlights permissible religious expression, emphasizing the protection of religious......