Quebec considers new restrictions on wearing religious symbols, clothing
Much of the public debate over the so-called “Charter of Values” has focused on the measure’s potential impact on immigrants and their religious beliefs and practices.
Nairobi Westgate mall terrorist attack is part of Kenya’s sharp rise in religious hostilities
The number of people killed in religion-related terrorist attacks in Kenya has dramatically increased in recent years.
Headscarf incident in Sudan highlights a global trend
Sudan is one of an increasing number of countries whose governments regulate the wearing of religious symbols or attire, such as head coverings for women or facial hair for men.
Global restrictions on religion increased following the Arab Spring
In 2011, a strong majority of the world’s population lived in countries with high religious restrictions.
Egypt’s restrictions on religion coincide with lack of religious tolerance
In Egypt, the government’s restrictions on religion also are coupled with a Muslim public that is considerably less tolerant of religious pluralism than Muslims elsewhere.
Arab Spring Adds to Global Restrictions on Religion
Pew Research’s fourth major report on global restrictions on religion finds that the share of countries with high or very high restrictions on religion rose from 37% in 2010 to 40% in 2011. The Middle East and North Africa continued to have the highest levels of restrictions in the year when much of the Arab Spring uprisings occurred, with social hostilities involving religion increasing markedly and government restrictions remaining high.
TEDx: Religious Freedom by the Numbers
Senior Researcher Brian J. Grim talks about the Pew Research Center’s restrictions on religion studies at the April 2013 TEDx ViaDellaConciliazione conference at the Vatican. Related Resources: Slides Arab Spring Adds to Global Restrictions on Religion TEDx ViaDellaConciliazione website TEDxViaDellaConciliazione Youtube page
As More Countries Regulate Wearing of Religious Symbols, European Court Decides Two UK Cases
The European Court of Human Rights today announced decisions on several high profile religious freedom cases involving the wearing of religious symbols. A recent study by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life found that regulation of religious attire has increased around the world.
As Religious Restrictions Rise, European Court To Decide Cases Involving Religious Symbols
On Tuesday (January 15), the European Court of Human Rights is scheduled to announce decisions on several high profile religious freedom cases involving the United Kingdom. Two complaints claim British law inadequately protects employees’ right to display symbols of their religion in the workplace. The cases involve a British Airways employee and a nurse in […]
Laws Penalizing Blasphemy, Apostasy and Defamation of Religion are Widespread
On Nov. 20, a Pakistani court ordered blasphemy charges dropped against a Christian teenager who had been accused of burning pages from the Quran. A new Pew Forum analysis finds that as of 2011 nearly half the countries and territories in the world have laws against blasphemy, apostasy or defamation.
