http://uk.oneworld.net/article/archive/1974 en_GB_uk OneWorld UK - UK/English/Topics/Human rights/Religion ‘My work is a necklace of hot burning coals,’ says Daud Sharifa http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/160442/1/1974 Durgabai Deshmukh Award winner Daud Sharifa Khanam from southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu provided Muslim women a platform to challenge the oppressive patriarchal system. For this, she has had to face the ire of Muslim clerics. She was hated, abused and threatened but she never gave up the fight. Pakistan's Disenfranchised Muslim Minority http://uk.oneworld.net/article/view/158976/1/1974 A prime issue that chokes the political health of troubled Pakistan is that not all of its able citizens are allowed to vote... Muslim women challenge patriarchal marriage code http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/158889/1/1974 Tired of living in a world governed by marriage laws formulated and implemented by men, Muslim women in India have come out with their own Nikahnama. It recognises their right to seek divorce and other entitlements so that they are the masters of their own destiny. Spectre of communalism has many faces http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/158765/1/1974 Communalism as an ideology in India is surging forward despite the presence of an avowedly secular government at the centre. There may not have been spectacular occurrences of violence since the new government came to power in 2004, but minorities continue to live in an atmosphere of insecurity. ‘Reintegration of child soldiers is a development issue’ http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/158584/1/1974 Development agencies lack funds for successful reintegration, says UN Under-Secretary-General Radhika Coomaraswamy. Rehabilitation of child soldiers goes beyond the act of demobilisation from armies. Faith organisations and education can help communities receive these children back into their fold, says she. Afghan government seeks to mainstream madrassas http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/156799/1/1974 Critical of its existing policies, the Afghan government is now trying to transform its religious schools by widening their syllabus. The move is seen as an attempt to regain its past historic glory as students will be taught history, geography, science, languages - and computer studies, apart the teachings of Islam. Holy Row Over Who May Use Some Arabic Words http://www.oneworld.net/article/view/156658/1/1974 KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 (IPS) - In a move that may hurt Malaysia's multi-religious social fabric the government has announced that certain Arabic words like 'Allah' cannot be used in the literature, gospel, and speeches of non-Muslim faiths. Global peace and quiet http://uk.oneworld.net/article/view/155916/1/1974 An NGO group in Bali is taking advantage of the international climate change conference on the Indonesian island to press for a Global Day of Silence. Silent protest in support of Taslima Nasreen http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/155654/1/1974 Around 15 organisations, on November 27, held a silent protest at New Delhi’s cultural hub Mandi House in support of Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen, who has been in exile since 1994. Living in eastern Indian city of Kolkata since 2003, she had to recently move out when under pressure from Muslim fundamentalists, the West Bengal government forced her to leave at once. Jesuits in Afghanistan help pace up progress http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/154850/1/1974 Jesuit presence in Afghanistan is helping speed up this war-ravaged country’s development process while also building understanding and faith between Indians and Afghans. ‘Religious fundamentalism’ appropriates women’s rights and bodies http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/154744/1/1974 Religious fundamentalism and its impact on women was much debated at the recent Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights being held at Hyderabad, India. Acts of violence ranging from honour killings to marital rape have been borne by women in times of both war and peace. WSA: è tempo di coabitare l'Europa delle minoranze http://unimondo.oneworld.net/article/view/154710/1/1974 "Da un'Europa sconvolta dai recenti conflitti nei Balcani ad un Europa che, valorizzando etnie, lingue e religioni, sappia cogliere le tante opportunità anche attraverso l'allargamento dell'Unione". E' questo l'appello che è emerso dalle relatrici alla Conferenza internazionale promossa venerdì scorso a Bolzano dalla World Social Agenda nell'ambito della manifestazione "Libera Europa–Freies Europa". La conferenza ha concluso il ciclo di riflessione quadriennale sui continenti nei quali donn ‘Treating unequals, equally is a moral fraud’ http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/154556/1/1974 Social exclusion results in lower development outcomes, deprivations, poverty and contributes to the non achievements of vital human and economic development goals. A two-day national conference being held in the Indian capital, New Delhi, organised by the Indian Institute of Dalit Studies, is engaged in addressing these critical issues. Ramadan Effort Feeds 25,000 U.S. Homeless http://us.oneworld.net/article/view/153780/1/1974 NEW YORK, Oct 2 (OneWorld) - An Islamic humanitarian group held a nationwide campaign this weekend to assist tens of thousands of homeless people. Keeping the Christian camp fires burning http://uk.oneworld.net/article/view/153692/1/1974 If you are an American evangelical Christian you’ll presumably think Jesus Camp chronicles an excellent development – teaching young children to be foot soldiers in God’s army. Everyone else will be disturbed.