Religious Coming-of-Age - Iran

Religious Coming-of-Age - Iran

Two girls do homework together in Shazand, Iran on April 4, 2019. At age nine, girls become religiously accountable in Islam, and their daily routines often blend religious responsibilities with childhood activities. Photo by Sina Yaghoobpoor/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Religious Coming-of-Age - Iran

Religious Coming-of-Age - Iran

Girls attend a classroom session after their Jashn-e Taklif in Shazand, Iran on March 2, 2019. The religious coming-of-age ceremony is often observed alongside regular school activities, reinforcing moral and educational values at the age of nine. Photo by Sina Yaghoobpoor/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Myanmar's pilgrims flock to participate in traditional Kason water pouring festival

STORY: Myanmar's pilgrims flock to participate in traditional Kason water pouring festival SHOOTING TIME: May 22, 2024 DATELINE: May 22, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:01 LOCATION: YANGON, Myanmar CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of activities held at the Shwedagon Pagoda STORYLINE: On Wednesday, pilgrims in Myanmar gathered at the Shwedagon Pagoda to join in the traditional Kason water pouring festival on the Kason Full Moon Day. The Kason water pouring festival, now in its 41st year, is organized annually by the pagoda's board of trustees, U Boe Thin, a member of the Shwedagon Pagoda Board of Trustees, told Xinhua. The Bodhi tree, considered the birth partner of Lord Buddha, is treated with great reverence. Water pouring ceremonies are held to cool and bring peace to the tree during the hot season, he said. Kason Full Moon Day, also known as Buddha Day, commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha, all of which are believed to have occurred on this day. As a significant religious occas

Israeli PM, opposition leader agree to form "emergency unity gov't"

STORY: Israeli PM, opposition leader agree to form "emergency unity gov't" DATELINE: Oct. 12, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:14 LOCATION: Jerusalem CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various of IDF activities in Gaza 2. various of IDF strikes in Gaza 3. various of striking of the targets by the IDF STORYLINE: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, an opposition leader and former defense minister, announced on Wednesday in a joint statement the formation of "an emergency unity government" and a war cabinet. The move brings Gantz's centrist party of National Unity to sit together with Netanyahu's ultranationalist-religious coalition government. Under the agreement, the war cabinet will consist of three members: Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Gantz, who was also a former chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Gadi Eizenkot, a lawmaker with the National Unity, also a former IDF chief, will act as an observer. Netanyahu agreed not to advance any bills unrelated to the o

At least 10 dead as DR Congo religious sect protests UN presence

STORY: At least 10 dead as DR Congo religious sect protests UN presence DATELINE: Aug. 31, 2023 LENGTH: 00:03:06 LOCATION: GOMA, DR Congo CATEGORY: MILITARY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Goma, DR Congo 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): GUILLAUME NDJIKE KAIKO, Spokesperson for the military governor of North Kivu 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Swahili): ERIC RUBWIRA, Motorcycle taximan of Goma STORYLINE: At least 10 people were killed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Wednesday when troops intervened in a religious sect's planned anti-U.N. protests. Activities remained paralyzed the morning of Wednesday in Goma, capital of the North Kivu province in the eastern DRC. A mystical religious sect known as "Natural Judaic and Messianic Faith toward the Nations" had urged followers to enter United Nations (UN) bases and demand the departure of peacekeepers. Local authorities of Goma had banned the protest. Women, young girls and boys, men and children were arrested by the army. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): GUILLAUME NDJIKE KAIK

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

(230705) -- LHASA, July 5, 2023 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on July 5, 2023 shows Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. TO GO WITH "Panchen Rinpoche attends religious activities in Tibet's Drepung Monastery" (Photo by Chogo/Xinhua)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

(230705) -- LHASA, July 5, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po is greeted by Buddhists at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 5, 2023. TO GO WITH "Panchen Rinpoche attends religious activities in Tibet's Drepung Monastery" (Photo by Chogo/Xinhua)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

(230705) -- LHASA, July 5, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po attends religious activities at the Drepung Monastery in Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, July 5, 2023. TO GO WITH "Panchen Rinpoche attends religious activities in Tibet's Drepung Monastery" (Photo by Chogo/Xinhua)

Afghanistan celebrates Eid al-Adha amid tight security, economic hardships

STORY: Afghanistan celebrates Eid al-Adha amid tight security, economic hardships DATELINE: June 29, 2023 LENGTH: 00:02:11 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: POLITICS SHOTLIST: 1. various shots of a mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): NAQIBULLAH, Kabul resident 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Dari): HAJJI MOHAMMAD HUSSAIN, Kabul resident STORYLINE: Afghans celebrated Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, one of the largest annual religious festivals observed by Muslims worldwide, amid tight security. Naqibullah, while attending the local mosque to partake in the Eid al-Adha prayer, expressed gratitude towards the establishment for stabilizing peace and security, saying the first day of Eid began with peace. SOUNDBITE 1 (Dari): NAQIBULLAH, Kabul resident "In terms of security, criminal activities including theft and robbery have been drastically reduced and people are living in a peaceful environment. People have been living in peace and we started the first day of Eid in a peaceful environment and after Eid prayers, we visit

Students warned of cult activities

Students warned of cult activities

TOKYO, Japan - Religious scholar Tatsuya Yumiyama, professor at Taisho University, a Buddhist college, speaks during his introductory class on religion at the college in Tokyo on May 9, 2012. The professor warned students of cult recruitment.

High court rules Koizumi's Yasukuni visits unconstitutional

High court rules Koizumi's Yasukuni visits unconstitutional

OSAKA, Japan - Taiwanese plaintiffs protest in front of the Osaka High Court in Osaka on Sept. 30 against the court's rejection of their damages demands for what they say is their mental anguish caused by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the war-related Yasukuni Shrine. The court ruled that Koizumi's visits ''official'' acts and ''religious activities'' done in violation of the Constitution that provides for the separation of state and religion.

AUM to suspend external activities, use of name

AUM to suspend external activities, use of name

TOKYO, Japan - Tatsuko Muraoka (L), acting representative for the AUM Shinrikyo religious sect, and Hiroshi Araki, vice chief of public relations for the cult, hold a press conference at AUM's office in Tokyo's Adachi Ward on Sept. 29 to announce AUM will suspend all its external activities from Oct. 1 and provisionally halt the use of its name.

Confucianism forum held in Confucius's birthplace

STORY: Confucianism forum held in Confucius's birthplace DATELINE: Sept. 28, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:03 LOCATION: QUFU, China CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of the forum 2. SOUNDBITE (English): ROGER T. AMES, Professor with Peking University STORYLINE: A forum on Confucianism opened on Tuesday in the city of Qufu, east China's Shandong Province, the birthplace of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551-479 B.C.), to discuss the ancient wisdom of Confucianism and explore the future of human beings. The forum coincided with the 2022 China (Qufu) International Confucius Cultural Festival, attracting more than 200 scholars at home and abroad at the opening ceremony. Themed "the Diversity of Human Civilizations and Shared Values of Mankind," the two-day event features high-level dialogues and a series of activities to boost international cooperation and development. SOUNDBITE (English): ROGER T. AMES, Professor with Peking University "Traversing any and all national, ethnic and religious boundaries, this p

185 prisoners set free from Afghanistan's Kandahar jail

STORY: 185 prisoners set free from Afghanistan's Kandahar jail DATELINE: July 9, 2022 LENGTH: 00:01:17 LOCATION: Kabul CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Afghanistan's Kandahar jail STORYLINE: On Thursday, 185 inmates from Kandahar's central jail were set free in Afghanistan, jail commander Mawlawi Akhtar Mohammad Hussaini said. The detainees, according to the official, were set free in line with the decree of the Taliban-run administration's supreme leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada on account of Eid ul-Adha -- the Muslims largest annual religious festival celebrated on Saturday. Hussaini also added that 45 of released inmates had been held for involvement in criminal activities while the remaining 140 were drug addicted persons. According to the official, the authorities also released 350 detainees from the Kandahar jail a couple of days ago. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kabul. (XHTV)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

(220519) -- LHASA, May 19, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po presents hadas -- silk scarves used to express respect and greeting -- to Buddhist statues, in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on May 18, 2022. Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, and president of the association's Tibet branch, on Wednesday attended religious activities in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. (Xinhua/Chogo)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

(220519) -- LHASA, May 19, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po gives head-touching blessings to a monk in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on May 18, 2022. Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, and president of the association's Tibet branch, on Wednesday attended religious activities in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. (Xinhua/Chogo)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

(220519) -- LHASA, May 19, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po is greeted by a monk in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on May 18, 2022. Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, and president of the association's Tibet branch, on Wednesday attended religious activities in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. (Xinhua/Chogo)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

CHINA-TIBET-PANCHEN-RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES (CN)

(220519) -- LHASA, May 19, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po pays homage to Buddhist statues in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, on May 18, 2022. Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, and president of the association's Tibet branch, on Wednesday attended religious activities in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. (Xinhua/Chogo)

GLOBALink | Panchen Rinpoche visits Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet

STORY: Panchen Rinpoche visits Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet DATELINE: May 18, 2022 LENGTH: 0:01:05 LOCATION: LHASA, China CATEGORY: CULTURE/SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. Panchen Rinpoche visiting Jokhang Temple STORYLINE: Panchen Rinpoche on Wednesday visited Jokhang Temple, the most revered monastery in Lhasa, starting his activities in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region this year. Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po, a leader of Tibetan Buddhism, arrived at Jokhang Temple at 5:26 a.m. Wednesday, greeted by monks lining up and holding Tibetan incense or Buddhist prayer flags. Panchen Rinpoche visited the temple, paid homage, and presented hada to the statues of Buddhas. He then led sutra chanting at the temple, praying for peace, prosperity and stability, before performing a head-touching ritual to bless the monks. Panchen Rinpoche arrived in Lhasa on May 10. During his stay in Tibet, Panchen Rinpoche will attend a series of religious and social activities. Panchen Rinpoche is one of the most infl

Indian Volunteers conduct cleanup activities

Indian Volunteers conduct cleanup activities

Volunteers engage in cleanup activities in Varanasi, northern India, as pictured on Aug. 31,2015, to contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign to clean up the Ganges River and the holy city known as the religious capital of India. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

High court rules Koizumi's Yasukuni visits unconstitutional

High court rules Koizumi's Yasukuni visits unconstitutional

OSAKA, Japan - Taiwanese plaintiffs protest in front of the Osaka High Court in Osaka on Sept. 30 against the court's rejection of their damages demands for what they say is their mental anguish caused by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's visits to the war-related Yasukuni Shrine. The court ruled that Koizumi's visits ''official'' acts and ''religious activities'' done in violation of the Constitution that provides for the separation of state and religion. (Kyodo)

AUM to suspend external activities, use of name

AUM to suspend external activities, use of name

TOKYO, Japan - Tatsuko Muraoka (L), acting representative for the AUM Shinrikyo religious sect, and Hiroshi Araki, vice chief of public relations for the cult, hold a press conference at AUM's office in Tokyo's Adachi Ward on Sept. 29 to announce AUM will suspend all its external activities from Oct. 1 and provisionally halt the use of its name.