NPR:- In Syria, Ban On Veil Raises Few Eyebrows (Audio)

July 22nd, 2010

"A few tables away, 20-year-old Rolan Alakel, sat bareheaded and checking her Facebook account while smoking sheesha, a traditional water pipe. She says she hadn't heard about the government ban.
"Here? They did? Seriously?" she says, her face brightening. "Yeah. I’m with them. I don't like it."

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Somali Muslims assault Christian in Ethiopia

July 29th, 2010

Lasvegas Clark County Zoning Commission denies plan to build Ethiopian Church

July 27th, 2010

"A number of neighbors expressed concerns about the size of the building proposed by the Debre Mihret St. Michael’s Ethiopian Orthodox Teawhido Church and its influence on surrounding homes."

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Rev. Shim Habte accepts challenge of mission at Willows United Methodist Church

July 27th, 2010

"In December 1972, Habte arrived in New York City. Then 18 years old, he had planned to attend a Campus Crusade for Christ in California, he said.
Coming from Ethiopia, where the weather was warm, he was not dressed for the cold New York streets. A taxi driver, Habte said, took an interest in him and asked where he was going and how much money he had."

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Ethiopia man accused in Murder of his wife sought help from priest

July 22nd, 2010

"He visited the St. Tekle Haimanot Ethiopian Orthodox Church on Merivale Rd., one of several Christian churches serving Ottawa's Ethiopian community of about 5,000, asking if the priest there, Melak Genet Senay, would baptize his 18-month-old daughter."

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Addis Journal:- Controversy over a new erected statue of Abune Paulos grow

July 20th, 2010

"A new statue erected in the chic parts of Addis is getting residents talking. Standing serene and sedate in the western parts of Bole Medhani Alem Church, the sculpture depicts someone who is currently alive."

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The Economist:- The religious right in east Africa

July 19th, 2010

"Despite threats of imprisonment from a repressive government they are enjoying success in Eritrea and have also built a large following in traditionally Coptic Christian Ethiopia, where all Protestants are simply known as “Pentay” for Pentecostal. The largest denomination, Kale Heywet, which claims 5m members, has been influenced by the new church movement, as has the 2.5m strong Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania."

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Mass allows Ethiopian community to come together in Lebanon

July 18th, 2010

"Until recently, Ethiopians lacked a church of their own, as they have been renting the Convent of the Franciscaines for the past decade, and before that, services used to be held at a church in Gemmayzeh. Finally, an Ethiopian Orthodox church was built two years ago in Ain Aar, above Bikfaya."

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Europeans approve, Americans reject Muslim veil ban: study

July 8th, 2010

"The French overwhelmingly endorse a ban on Muslim face coverings, also known as the burqa or the niqab, as do majorities in Britain, Germany and Spain, a survey conducted by the Washington-based Pew Research Centers Global Attitudes Project found."

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Presbyterian leaders approves gay clergy policy

July 8th, 2010

World's oldest Bible published in full online

July 8th, 2010

"The world's oldest surviving Bible, which has been scattered around the globe for more than a century, has been published in full online."

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Ethiopian Charismatics Strengthen Catholic Ties

July 4th, 2010

"The charismatic movement has been drawing in an increasing number of young Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants, especially in Addis Ababa, and the leaders of the different churches are reacting in variant ways."

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Ezra Literature Online magazine Issue # 005

June 29th, 2010

Ethiopian Filmmaker Yared Shumete Named Grand Finalist in 2010 Democracy Video Challenge ( Video)

June 24th, 2010

His short video Democracy is Fair Play depicts two young boys playing a traditional Ethiopian game known variously as Memch or Ezizilosh. The boys toss rocks to see who has to carry the other, good naturedly switching positions when one boy’s rock hits the other’s. Yared said that his film is based on the idea that “even if you are not on top, you are still in the game.”

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Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus President urged youth to protect their Church from false teaching

June 23rd, 2010

"Intruding pace of same sex marriage recognition in the sister churches in Europe and United States of America is at alarming speed, that requires due attention on time."
Rev. Dr. Wakseyoum Idosa President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY)

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African church waivers on homosexuality

June 19th, 2010

"This loud warning was seen as a prelude to split from its main financial partner, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), which now supports gay rights.
But those strong statements have toned down considerably since the head of the ELCT recently conferred with ELCA officials here.."

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Lawyers give final arguments in gay marriage case

June 16th, 2010

"Lawyers arguing a landmark federal case involving California's same-sex marriage ban made their final arguments Wednesday, with supporters describing matrimony as an institution intended to promote childbearing and opponents saying the U.S. Supreme Court had recognized it as a fundamental right."

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Islamic Police Ridding Streets of Sin and Vice (Video)

June 13th, 2010

"Imagine a place where adulterers are stoned to death and for engaging in premarital sex you receive one hundred lashes. In one Islamic province of Indonesia, hundreds of Muslims patrol the streets to guard against these and other so-called vices."

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Documentary 'The Prize' to Air During World Cup

June 12th, 2010

"Testimonies from world class soccer players Kaka, Edmilson, Chris Klein, Marvin Andrews, Reynaldo Parks, Silvano Espindola, Silas Sandra, Austin Delgado and referee Dario Garcia are included. It follows their discovery that the real prize in life is not found in a ball or a game, but in a new life found in Jesus Christ."

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Indonesia's 'Religious Revolution' ( Video)

June 12th, 2010

"I think people in other Muslim countries will be shocked and surprised to see this," said 19-year-old student Nindy -- who was wearing shorts in public. "But it's not about what you wear, but what it is in your heart. We should be open and respect each other's opinion."

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