Religion

Pope prays at Lourdes shrine after huge Paris mass

Pope Leo XIV touches the rock at the Grotto of Massabielle, in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, during a prayer with worshippers on Sept 26.

Italy bans burqas in schools, caps numbers of foreign students per class

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Italy will cap students who do not have an adequate command of Italian at 30 per cent per class.

New experiential festival brings racial and religious harmony to life for youth

Experiential booths at the #commUNITY on Campus festival helped young people understand different cultures and beliefs.

Cash-strapped Japanese monks turn to investing as inflation worsens

Costs for the upkeep of the temples’ ornate wooden buildings are soaring while the country’s Buddhist population has dropped.

Iraqi butcher gets 10 years’ jail for selling pork in holy city of Najaf

Shi’ite Muslim pilgrims in Najaf, Iraq walking towards the holy city of Kerbala ahead of the ritual of Arbaeen on July 31.

Thai abbot arrested in $3.5 million embezzlement, sex scandal

News analysis

Republicans are making Muslims a campaign issue in the 2026 US midterms

As the only Muslim running for statewide office, the American-born Abdul El-Sayed has been the focus of anti-Islamic rhetoric around the US.

While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, Sept 8, 2026

Stranded passengers waiting at a terminal as Soekarno Hatta International Airport closed its operations on Sept 7 due to the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano.

Paris probes claim that women were hidden from Hindu delegation at Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower closed on Sept 7 as staff met over claims that female employees were asked to step out of sight during a Hindu group’s visit.

Field Notes from Kuching

In Sarawak, trust can matter as much as the halal logo

Guests of Rumah Intunie Ak Jiram in Nyato Atas, Lubok Antu, Sarawak, enjoying their lunch prepared by the host on Aug 18.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.