Lockdowns
Bethlehem Nativity Church reopens after coronavirus closure
Middle East
May 26, 2020
Bethlehem Nativity Church reopens after coronavirus closure
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem’s storied Church of the Nativity reopened to visitors on Tuesday, after a nearly three-month…
Confined Moroccans find new ways to celebrate Eid
Middle East
May 26, 2020
Confined Moroccans find new ways to celebrate Eid
CASABLANCA Morocco (AP) — Instead of mass prayers and large family gatherings filled with colorful clothes, gifts and traditional foods,…
Lebanon’s migrant workers’ plight worsens as crises multiply
Middle East
May 26, 2020
Lebanon’s migrant workers’ plight worsens as crises multiply
BEIRUT (AP) — Long before the pandemic struck, they lived and worked in conditions that rights groups called exploitative —…
Reruns of religious dramas comfort Indians in dire times
World
May 23, 2020
Reruns of religious dramas comfort Indians in dire times
GURUGRAM, India (AP) — Staying home under lockdown as they wait for the worst of the coronavirus pandemic to pass,…
Trump declares churches ‘essential,’ calls on them to reopen
World
May 23, 2020
Trump declares churches ‘essential,’ calls on them to reopen
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has labeled churches and other houses of worship as “essential” and called on governors…
Iran to reopen religious, cultural sites: president
Middle East
May 23, 2020
Iran to reopen religious, cultural sites: president
DUBAI (Reuters) — Iran on Saturday moved to open businesses, religious and cultural sites as it eases restrictions imposed to…
Balcony church gains popularity in Kenya amid pandemic
World
May 23, 2020
Balcony church gains popularity in Kenya amid pandemic
KIAMBU, Kenya (AP) — A groovy rendition of “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” blasts from speakers outside…
Virus cases drop to zero in China but surge in Latin America
World
May 23, 2020
Virus cases drop to zero in China but surge in Latin America
TOKYO (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic continued to drop in much of Asia on Saturday even as the outbreak surged…
Friday prayers resume in Gaza despite new virus fears
Middle East
May 23, 2020
Friday prayers resume in Gaza despite new virus fears
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza’s Hamas rulers allowed mosques to reopen for Friday prayers for the first time…
Virus fallout dampens spirits as Muslims mark major holiday
Middle East
May 22, 2020
Virus fallout dampens spirits as Muslims mark major holiday
JERUSALEM (AP) — Muslims worldwide will celebrate one of their biggest holidays under the long shadow of the coronavirus, with…